Talent do języków to mit. 3 kroki, żeby zostać poliglotą | Piotr Kruk | TEDxSGH

Summary

The speaker, once a 27-year-old entrepreneur, debunks the myth of a language talent, sharing his journey of learning seven languages and building a career without any apparent linguistic prowess. He criticizes traditional language teaching methods in schools as outdated and ineffective, advocating for a more practical approach focused on communication and real-life application. Emphasizing the importance of language learning in today's globalized world, he offers advice on how to learn languages effectively, stressing the need for tailored learning, embracing imperfection, and the joy of connecting with others through their language.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker, at just 27 years old, created a sales network across 20 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and learned seven foreign languages, emphasizing that language skills significantly aided his career growth.
• 🗣️ Contrary to common belief, the speaker asserts that being a polyglot is not about innate talent but rather about effective learning strategies and persistence.
• 📚 The speaker criticizes traditional language teaching methods in schools for being outdated and disconnected from the real-world needs and technological advancements.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The younger generation, including Generation Z and Alpha, is growing up in a digital world with different expectations and needs from language education compared to previous generations.
• 🌐 The speaker highlights the importance of language learning for future opportunities, including career advancement, travel, and higher income, which are increasingly global and interconnected.
• 📈 A study cited by the speaker reveals that 84% of children learn foreign languages outside of school, indicating a shortfall in traditional educational systems to meet language learning demands.
• 💡 The speaker suggests focusing on learning phrases rather than isolated words to better mimic real-life language use and to avoid common grammatical pitfalls.
• 🎯 Emphasizes the need for personalized language learning based on individual goals, such as specific vocabulary relevant to one's profession or travel plans.
• 💪 Encourages learners to embrace imperfection and focus on communication over linguistic perfection, as the ability to communicate effectively is more valuable than flawless grammar.
• 🌈 The speaker shares his journey and insights to inspire a change in the approach to language learning, advocating for a more practical, contextual, and motivated method.

Q & A

How old was the speaker when he created a sales network in 20 countries in Central and Eastern Europe?

The speaker was just 27 years old when he created a sales network in 20 countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

How many foreign languages did the speaker learn within a few years after creating the sales network?

The speaker learned seven foreign languages within a few years after creating the sales network.

What misconception does the speaker believe people have about language learning?

The speaker believes that people mistakenly think that language learning requires a natural talent, which he considers a myth.

What does the speaker think is the problem with the current language education system?

The speaker thinks the problem with the current language education system is that it uses ineffective methods disconnected from the reality and needs of the younger generation and technological advancements.

What does the speaker criticize about the way languages are taught in schools?

The speaker criticizes that language teaching in schools focuses mainly on grammar and exceptions, neglecting communication, freedom of speech, and discussions on important and everyday topics in foreign languages.

How does the speaker describe the current world in terms of language learning opportunities?

The speaker describes the current world as one with easy access to language learning through technology like Google, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Skype, Netflix, TikTok, and Instagram, and with the freedom to travel and settle in any part of the world.

What generation is entering the job market now, according to the speaker?

The speaker mentions that Generation Z, also known as the 'Generation Multitasking,' is entering the job market now.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to learning individual vocabulary words?

The speaker suggests creating short language blocks in one's mind, such as learning phrases like 'at home' or 'go home' instead of just the word 'home' to avoid grammatical issues and to start forming sentences more naturally.

Why should individuals tailor their language learning to their own needs, according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, individuals should tailor their language learning to their own needs because everyone has unique requirements and different language levels, and this approach ensures that the learning is relevant and practical for their specific goals and situations.

What is the speaker's view on the pursuit of perfection in language learning?

The speaker believes that perfection is a myth and that the focus should be on effective communication rather than achieving a professorial level of language proficiency.

What is the key message the speaker wants to convey about language learning?

The key message the speaker wants to convey is that language learning is relatively simple and does not require a special talent; it requires persistence, creativity, and a willingness to make small changes in one's life.