Ex-Professor Reveals Way to REALLY Learn Languages (according to science)
Summary
TLDRDr. Jeff McQuillin, an expert in second language acquisition, emphasizes the importance of focusing on acquisition rather than learning when it comes to language learning. Acquisition is the subconscious knowledge of language that we use most during communication, and it is achieved through understanding messages. He suggests that learners should seek comprehensible input, which can be found through resources like YouTube videos and visual aids, and engage with materials in the target language that present information visually. McQuillin also discusses the ineffectiveness of memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules, advocating instead for an incremental and contextual approach to language acquisition. He stresses the importance of enjoying the learning process and setting realistic expectations to maintain motivation and ensure long-term success in language learning.
Takeaways
- 📚 Focus on acquisition over learning: Acquiring a language subconsciously is more effective for communication than consciously learning the rules.
- 🧠 Language is stored in two ways: 'learning' (conscious knowledge) and 'acquisition' (subconscious knowledge), with acquisition being key for fluent communication.
- 🌐 Use comprehensible input: The brain acquires language when it can understand the messages, which is crucial for acquisition.
- 🚫 Avoid rote memorization: Memorizing vocabulary or grammar rules is less effective than understanding language in context.
- 📈 Incremental learning: Vocabulary and grammar are acquired gradually over time through repeated exposure to language in context.
- 🎓 Importance of understanding: Look for language learning methods that provide tools for understanding rather than just translating.
- 📉 Lower your expectations: Language acquisition is a slow process, and setting realistic goals helps maintain motivation and prevent discouragement.
- 🤓 Syntax and grammar: While it's possible to study syntax, the ability to use it naturally in conversation is more important and comes with acquisition.
- 📚 Reading and listening: Engaging with rich, comprehensible materials is more beneficial than using flashcards for vocabulary building.
- 🕒 Time efficiency: Spending time understanding messages through reading and listening provides a more efficient way to acquire language than memorization techniques.
- 😀 Enjoy the process: Making language learning enjoyable and finding an enjoyable habit is essential for maintaining the long-term commitment required to learn a language.
Q & A
What is the primary focus when learning a new language according to Dr. Jeff McQuillin?
-Dr. Jeff McQuillin emphasizes that the primary focus should be on acquisition, which is the subconscious or unconscious knowledge of the language, as opposed to learning, which is the conscious knowledge of language rules.
How does the brain acquire language?
-The brain acquires language when it can understand what is being communicated to it. This involves leveraging what you already know to understand new information, using context and visual cues to grasp the meaning.
What is the role of visuals in language acquisition?
-Visuals play a crucial role in language acquisition as they help in understanding the context and meaning of what is being communicated. They can be in the form of pictures, gestures, or any other visual aids that support comprehension.
What is the importance of comprehensible input in language learning?
-Comprehensible input is essential for language acquisition as it allows the learner to understand messages in the target language, which in turn helps the brain to subconsciously pick up the language's grammar and vocabulary.
How should an adult independent learner start with language acquisition?
-An adult independent learner should start by seeking resources, teachers, or methods that provide rich, comprehensible language. They should look for materials that present information visually and are spoken slowly and clearly to aid understanding.
What is the difference between learning and acquisition when it comes to grammar?
-Learning grammar involves the conscious study of language rules, while acquisition is the subconscious or unconscious knowledge of grammar that comes from understanding messages and communication in the language.
Why is focusing on form over meaning not effective in language acquisition?
-Focusing on form over meaning is not effective because the brain naturally wants to focus on meaning during communication. Attempting to consciously apply grammar rules during conversation can hinder the natural flow and comprehension of the language.
How can one know if they are acquiring language effectively?
-One can know they are acquiring language effectively if they understand about 95% of what they are reading or listening to. This indicates that the brain is picking up new grammar rules and vocabulary subconsciously.
What is the most efficient way to improve vocabulary in a new language?
-The most efficient way to improve vocabulary is through comprehensible messages. This means reading and listening to content where one already understands a high percentage of the words, using that knowledge to infer the meaning of new words.
Why is memorizing vocabulary lists or using flashcards not the most effective method for vocabulary acquisition?
-Memorizing vocabulary lists or using flashcards is not effective because it leads to a shallow, non-permanent knowledge of words. It is more beneficial to acquire vocabulary incidentally through understanding messages in context, which allows for deeper and more permanent knowledge.
What is the one piece of advice Dr. McQuillin would give to language learners?
-Dr. McQuillin advises language learners to lower their expectations and be patient with the process. Language acquisition takes time, and having unrealistic expectations can lead to discouragement and discontinuation of the learning process.
How can language learners ensure their learning process is sustainable and enjoyable?
-Language learners can ensure their process is sustainable and enjoyable by finding comprehensible input that they enjoy, such as interesting stories or topics. This makes the learning process more engaging and less of a chore, increasing the likelihood of continued practice.
Outlines
📚 The Importance of Language Acquisition
Dr. Jeff McQuillin, an expert in second language acquisition, emphasizes the importance of focusing on acquisition over learning. He explains that acquisition is the subconscious knowledge of language that we use most during communication. He suggests that adults learn languages similarly to children, by understanding messages. He also discusses the ineffectiveness of commercial programs and the need for comprehensible input to facilitate language acquisition.
🎓 Learning vs. Acquisition in Language Education
Dr. McQuillin distinguishes between learning, which is a conscious knowledge of language rules, and acquisition, which is the subconscious knowledge that we use without thinking. He advises language learners to focus on acquisition and to seek out resources that provide comprehensible language input. He also discusses the role of visuals and storytelling in language learning and the limitations of focusing on grammar rules without context.
🧠 Brain's Natural Focus on Meaning Over Form
The brain's tendency to focus on meaning rather than form is highlighted, explaining why it's challenging to consciously apply grammar rules during conversation. Dr. McQuillin suggests that learners should aim for high levels of comprehension when engaging with the language to allow for natural acquisition of grammar. He also discusses the idea that understanding a large percentage of the content allows the brain to pick up new grammar rules implicitly.
📈 Incremental Vocabulary Acquisition Through Comprehension
Vocabulary is acquired incrementally through repeated exposure to comprehensible messages. Each encounter with a new word provides a small increase in understanding, which accumulates over time. Dr. McQuillin argues against the use of flashcards and memorization for vocabulary acquisition, stating that it leads to fragile knowledge that doesn't improve comprehension. Instead, he advocates for rich, deep instruction and the importance of context in learning new words.
🚀 Enjoyable and Sustainable Language Learning
The final paragraph focuses on the importance of enjoying the language learning process for it to be sustainable. Dr. McQuillin advises learners to lower their expectations and be patient, as language acquisition is a slow process. He emphasizes the value of finding enjoyable and comprehensible input to maintain motivation and continue learning effectively.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Second Language Acquisition
💡Comprehensible Input
💡Acquisition vs. Learning
💡Grammar
💡Vocabulary
💡Incremental Learning
💡Focus on Form
💡Explicit Knowledge
💡Enjoyable Habit
💡Lowered Expectations
💡ESL Podcast
Highlights
Dr. Jeff McQuillin, an expert in second language acquisition, emphasizes the importance of focusing on acquisition over learning.
Acquisition is subconscious knowledge of language, which is more crucial for communication than conscious learning of rules.
The brain acquires language by understanding messages, leveraging known information to grasp unknown elements.
Adults learn new languages in the same way as children, through a process of understanding and internalization.
For effective acquisition, learners should seek out resources that provide rich, comprehensible input in the target language.
Visual aids and clear, slow speech are beneficial for language acquisition as they enhance understanding.
Grammar should be acquired implicitly through exposure to the language rather than through explicit rule memorization.
The brain naturally focuses on meaning over form, making it difficult to apply grammar rules consciously during communication.
Vocabulary is best acquired incidentally through understanding messages, rather than through memorization.
Each encounter with a new word provides an incremental increase in understanding, building up over time.
Memorizing vocabulary through flashcards is not as effective as getting comprehensible input through reading and listening.
Enjoyable, sustainable language learning practices are more effective than forced study, as they facilitate long-term acquisition.
Lowering expectations and being patient with the learning process is crucial for adult language learners to avoid discouragement.
Children's language acquisition is often perceived as faster due to different expectations, but it is also a slow and gradual process.
The most effective language learning advice is to find enjoyable, comprehensible input that matches the learner's current level.
Language acquisition is a natural process that occurs when the brain is engaged with meaningful content in the target language.
Dr. McQuillin recommends resources like his ESL podcast and blog for learners to access comprehensible language input.
Transcripts
most students still make the same
mistakes even though they know the rule
obviously there are commercial programs
now unfortunately most of the commercial
programs are not very good you should be
focusing on acquisition Dr Jeff
mcquillin is an expert in second
language acquisition which is the
process by which we learn languages now
he's got a PhD in Applied Linguistics
and was a university Professor for many
years Dr mcquillin has also got Decades
of experience in understanding how it is
that we learn languages which is going
to be so useful for anyone wanting to
learn a new language at the minute Dr
mcquillin has published numerous
articles related to language learning
and now runs the ESL podcast for English
language Learners he also has a Blog at
the backseat linguist tocom in this
interview Jeff reveals how it is that we
learn languages according to the
research and the big mistakes that
people make when it comes to learning
grammar and vocabulary and also his
advice for language Learners enjoy Jeff
how is it that um adults learn learn new
languages well adults learn new
languages the same way that children
children learn new languages the same
way that we all learn the language that
we speak today which is by understanding
messages that seems a little cryptic so
let me sort of break that down a little
there are actually two ways that your
brain stores language if you will the
first way is what we call learning and
learning is a conscious knowledge of
language it's the knowledge of rules i
before e except after C in linguistics
we usually try to distinguish or at
least some of us try to distinguish
between what's learning and what's
called
acquisition learning is conscious
acquisition is subconscious or
unconscious it's the knowledge that you
have in your brain even if you don't
know it's there it's the knowledge that
we tend to use most of the time during
communication now the question is which
of these is more important which of
these should we be focused on should we
be focused on learning or should we be
focused on acquisition and the answer I
think as I've already tipped is you
should be focusing on acquisition
unconscious or subconscious knowledge of
the language your feel for the language
the language that you know without even
having to think about it how do we get
there well to get learning everyone
knows how to get learning you pick up a
book and you open it and you study the
rules or you make yourself your
flashcards or whatever it happens to be
acquisition comes from understanding
messages the brain acquires language
when it can understand what is being
communicated to it let's take an example
let's say that uh you're learning
Spanish you're going to have to find a
situation where the language is
presented to you in such a way that it's
comprehensible that it's understandable
for example uh if I started speaking in
Spanish
Spanish
[Music]
estoo
Doos see Doos there are no rules there
there's no memorization there all you
had to do was watch me and understand
the language and if you understood it
you started to acquire a little bit of
Spanish in that 20 seconds that I was
speaking what happens is
you take what you know and you leverage
that to what you don't the language that
you already understand or the visual
language that you all understand because
you understand the meaning of me holding
up my hands and talking about my hands
you take that knowledge and you apply it
to what you don't know and that's how
the brain understands things so an adult
independent learner where do they start
if they wanted to go all right well I've
heard of this this acquisition idea that
sounds fantastic where do they start
because obviously there isn't
necessarily going to be a always a
teacher there who's willing to go
through the acquisition process and say
l man or or or whatever it is um where
where would you think someone should
start on that sort of method what I tell
people is well first of all most people
are trying to learn languages that are
popular they're trying to learn French
or Spanish or Chinese and so the the
reality is now fortunately there are at
least there are resources out there
there are YouTube videos um people like
yourself who talk about how to acquire
languages obviously there are commercial
programs now unfortunately most of the
commercial programs are not very good
they tend to they tend to focus on short
little pieces of language that you try
to memorize rather than providing you
with the kind of Rich comprehensible uh
language that I I demonstrated with my
little mono lesson you should be looking
for a teacher or or a method or
materials that number
one you can understand that give you
tools to understand the language other
than just translating it okay there's
nothing wrong with translation there's
nothing wrong with using the first
language to try to acquire a second
language but if most of the time you're
just looking at translations of words
that's not a very effective way you want
something that is mostly presented in
the language that you're trying to
acquire you would want to start with
materials that present
visually information to you that will
help you understand what the person is
saying or yeah what you're reading so
that would be pictures that would be
visuals that would be someone who is
speaking slowly and clearly that seems
sort of trivial right but it's actually
a really important thing I tell people
look for a teacher that understands the
importance of visuals that speaks slowly
that speaks clearly that presents uh
interesting stories a Woman by the name
of Beno Mason in Japan who has developed
this story listening approach she and
and and teachers who follow her method
they stand in front of a Blackboard or
they have visuals uh and they explain
the story a simple story in the context
of what we we've just said about this
kind of um implicit learning and this
this acquisition how does grammar fit
into into all of that by grammar people
often mean syntax right the the order of
words the way that that sentences are
constructed when people talk about
grammar usually they mean conscious
study of language and we go back to the
distinction I made earlier which is the
difference between learning conscious
knowledge and acquisition unconscious
knowledge yes you can study syntax and
yes you will learn the certain rules of
syntax the problem here is can you
actually use it when you need it the
rule books of grammar only capture a
small portion of what in fact our entire
very complicated syntactical system but
even more importantly let's say You're
really bright and you memorize all those
rules that's still not good enough
because you also have to have time to
use the rule and if you're in a
conversation or even if you're reading a
book to stop and say now wait a minute
um is that present progressive past
progress do I use the imperfect here or
the predate as as human beings our
natural tendency is to focus on meaning
we're not so interested in how that that
message is construed
the the brain doesn't linguistically
multitask it's either focusing on
meaning or it's focusing on form it can
switch back quickly but it can't do both
and if you try to focus on what what
linguists call focus on form how
something is saying uh is being
communicated you're not focusing on
meaning and the Brain just naturally
wants to focus on meaning for the most
part when people talk about studying
grammar they're talking about trying to
memorize rules and distinctions and here
are the here are the imperfect here are
the irregular verbs and the predate of
certain verbs in
Spanish that's all waste of time you
need to focus just I mean all of that
will come to you that by the way brings
up an important point that some people
may object say well I I can I can learn
things and then later it seems that I
I've acquired it so the learning seems
to become acquisition that's not what we
think happens in other words just
because you've studied something
consciously and you really know those
rules does it mean it's going to enter
into your acquired system is is that is
there any benefit from um from actually
studying the rules explicitly in terms
of being able to say monitor um my own
speech when I'm speaking Spanish for
example is is there is there much
benefit in that or should should
students just focus on acquisition and
wait until that they naturally acquire
the rule without having to explicitly
think about it uh the latter definitely
uh I don't think there's much much uh
benefit in attempting to monitor just
because most people uh are not very good
monitors uh they they aren't able to
take bring up that explicit knowledge
they don't have the time take the
example of writing okay you would think
that writing would be the ideal place
that you could quote unquote use the
term monitor right the notion that you
can take a rule and you can apply it
right at the right place and you can fix
just before you're about to say
something or before you're about to
write something you can say wait a
minute is that pass oh that's pres boom
got ity I've used my conscious knowledge
right in writing when we've studied
writing and explicit instruction so you
teach someone the grammar rules blah
blah and then you give them something to
write and then you say Okay blah blah
blah uh go ahead and write that most
students still make the same mistakes
even though they know the rule even when
you have time and you know the rule the
hardest one to meet is actually focusing
on form that's why proof reading is such
a difficult thing for most people
because because we you you write
something you think it's perfect you
give it to somebody else and say oops 17
errors in here spelling errors or
whatever it is right that's this before
before spell check but you know what I'm
talking about proofing is so difficult
because we focus on meaning so don't
don't spend your time trying to become a
good monitor spend your time trying to
be a good acquirer and get lots of
comprehensible input if my brain is
first focusing on meaning so someone's
talking to me in let's say Spanish I am
listening to what they're saying and my
brain is Al automatically implicitly
without me thinking about it focusing on
meaning first of all if I'm then wanting
to think about trying to acquire those
those grammar rules or I or acquire
grammar whether we say rules or or
whatever um yeah and I'm I'm using
content if I if I take it in a slightly
different context if I'm using content
what level um should I
ideally want to understand so that I'm
not just focusing on the
meaning but actually I've also got
enough capacity to acquire the form so
that I can get that well do I have to
have a higher level of comprehension of
the meaning of things or will that just
happen implicitly there's just no way
for you to know what the current state
of your level of acquisition is there is
a way of knowing how much you can
understand now everybody has a different
level of comfort but for me if I
understand 95% of what I'm I'm reading
or listening to then I'm confident that
my acquisition system my brain is going
to be able to pick up whatever grammar
rules I have in acquir job I don't know
what those grammar rules are I certainly
wouldn't try to focus on certain grammar
rules so don't worry about in other
words where you are in that order
whether you've acquired this rule or
that rule simply get lots of good
comprehensible messages that you can
mostly understand now if you if you're
reading or listening to something that
you understand 100% of you well you
still may be acquiring even though you
understand 100% of the of the vocabulary
there still may be grammatical aspects
that you're acquiring or strengthening
in your acquisition system so I wouldn't
say don't do that but generally speaking
uh as you're going through you want to
find you want to listen and read things
that you at least contain some
information about the language that you
don't know but I wouldn't worry too much
about that you definitely need to keep
pushing yourself but for most people
that's sort of a natural process as
their language fluency improves they
start reading things that are more
closer to native language and and their
language develops um you as a
consequence of that interesting all
right well that that's um that's sort of
reassuring and that as Learners we don't
have to worry about it you could just
just focus on the brain will sort it out
for you well that's good new on to um
one of potentially one of your favorite
topics I don't know uh if it is or not
vocabulary um yes as Learners we need a
lot of words if we're going to you know
reach any real level in in a language
what's sort of the most effective way
for us to to improve our vocabulary the
interest of people in vocabulary is is a
good one it's it's an understandable one
vocabulary you will not be surprised to
learn is acquired the exact same way
that everything else is acquired in a
language which is through comprehensible
messages through understanding the
language that you read and listen to the
most efficient way to do this as I've
already indicated I think in the uh
previous question is to make sure that
you're understanding messages that are
in that high level of a comprehension
you already understand 90 95% of the
words or even 98% of the words and
you're able to use that to figure out
the the few words that you don't
understand now sometimes when I say well
98% you think well that's that's really
high but what we do know is that as that
percentage starts dropping as you
understand only 80% or
70% you're going to struggle incredibly
with the language so much so that you're
not going to have enough knowledge you
know to understand the things you don't
know so we push I always push people to
to Really find things that they're
comfortable with that they can read or
listen to comfortably enough so that you
can the brain has the opportunity to
pick out those little those words that
they don't know let let me just say one
more thing about the vocabulary
acquisition well I might say a lot more
than vocabulary is acquired
incidentally and incrementally the two
eyes okay we acquire vocabulary
incidentally by that I mean we acquire
vocabulary when we're not worried about
vo acquiring vocabulary we acquire
vocabulary as we're reading and
understanding messages nobody picks up a
book and says I'm going to acquire some
more French vocabulary today yay no you
pick up a book and say I want to read
this story or I want to understand this
topic that's why you read you're focused
on meaning vocabulary acquis position is
a incidental that is to say it's an
extra benefit you pick those words up
unconsciously as you're going along the
second big point about vocabulary
acquisition and this is one that people
really have to understand the one that
people I think get the most in trouble
with is vocabulary is acquired
incrementally that means you pick up a
little bit of the meaning typically each
time you see it there were series of
studies done in the 70s ' 80s in ' 90s
and that contined to be done but the
most important ones were done by a guy
by the name of Bill Nagi who was at the
University of Illinois at the time in
the 1980s and what Nagi discovered is
that every time you see a word that
you've never seen before usually you
pick up a sense of what that word is
maybe it's just whether it's a noun or a
verb maybe it's a good thing or a bad
thing based on the other context in the
story or what you're reading or what
you're listening to but each time you
see that new word in a different context
you're going to pick up 10 15% more 10
15% more that all adds up so that every
time you see those words you're picking
up that incremental knowledge until such
a point where all of a sudden you know
the the word unconsciously and you don't
know how you learned it I should say
acquired it the good thing is the words
that you really need to know by
definition you'll see them more often
don't worry about that one rare word
it's not that important the important
thing is you've picked up a little bit
of knowledge even without realizing it
and it's that incremental knowledge that
you're picking up as you're reading and
listening that drives your language
acquisition in terms of vocabul
vocabulary acquisition that's where we
get our knowledge and it's it's it's
hard because you have to trust your
brain you have to trust your brain that
it's going to pick out the meanings and
it's gonna it's gonna put it in your
unconscious system so relax it's
happening as long as you're getting
comprehensible messages so for those
those words then I have to see them in
context um from from what you're saying
and then that way I'll get a percentage
whatever that percentage is it doesn't
doesn't really matter I'm getting a
little bit of that that word each time
what about things like um you know if I
think of it pretty much any beginner's
textbook there'll be the the first
opening dialogues and there'll be a list
of um vocabulary down the side and the
translation for those words if I try and
consciously remember that vocabulary and
then the the the translation that is at
least the most accurate translation that
we we can we can get at time how useful
is that sort of thing because that's the
sort of thing that people will then
immediately go and say pop on a flash
card without any any context around it
and then quite quickly then you'll just
remembering individual words how useful
is that it's
useful as you're reading the dialogue
through perhaps because now you can kind
of understand it but it's it's generally
speaking not very useful after that if
memorizing vocabulary worked you would
be able to take a word put it on your
flash card memorize it and then the next
time you see it boom you'll be able to
use it let's say you teach kids 10 words
and you have them memorize those words
and then you give them something to read
a reading passage or something in a book
that contains those 10 words the theory
is because they memorize those words
they'll be able to understand that
reading better the reality is they don't
we know from studies with with children
with adults in first language and second
language studies done from beginning in
the mid 1970s up to the present day that
teaching vocabulary explicitly or trying
to memorize words explicitly leads to a
kind of knowledge as one person put it
to me it's it's the kind of knowledge
that you can't use it's it's knowledge
that doesn't actually improve your
comprehension our learned knowledge is
very fragile unconscious knowledge
acquisition is there it tends to be much
more permanent so trying to memorize
words produces a very shallow what I
call a shallow effect now researchers
understand that and that's why in the
1980s vocabulary instruction shifted
from this sort of memorized words to
what's called Rich or deep instruction
but the problem with that is is that
also takes a lot of
time and so so it's not a very efficient
use of your time the other thing is that
that that if you look on the internet
and you watch other videos and God knows
why you would want to I mean you've got
Matt here listen to what he's saying but
let's say you go out and you see
somebody say well let's let's um you
should guys should be really be trying
to memorize lists of vocabulary and they
give you a program uh anky or dual
lingual whatever it is and they say look
it's much faster you're going to
memorize all these words that is not in
fact what the research shows what the
research shows is that in order to
memorize a large group of words you've
got to spend so much time reviewing
those words that if you had just read
and listened with the time that you've
spent memorizing those words you would
have acquired more vocabulary the time
efficiency argument is so against
memorization and flashcards it's
ridiculous other people who who Advocate
flashcards they're not looking at the
research correctly they're only looking
at a study and says Hey look this group
memorized 12 words in X number of of
minutes wow but what they don't realize
is that that the next week they would
have forgotten all 12 of those words or
if they had spent time memorizing it
over a period of say months that time is
actually if you took that time and you
instead had just been listening and
reading the comprehensible input you
would have acquired even more words if
you spend your time on on flash cards
all you're going to get is vocabulary
whereas if you spend your time reading
and listening you're going to get
vocabulary you're going to get syntax
you're going to get morphology you're
going to get knowledge you're going to
get all the other aspects of language
whereas flashcards give you one aspect
of language yeah fantastic and and
that's one of those things it's not just
the opportunity cost in terms of time
spent but it's also just it's
objectively more enjoyable to sit down
and follow a story than than it is
to and that flash cards only work in
theory if you do them regularly over a
long period of time which is correct
having a reading habit which you could
you could yeah you know get through many
more books and have a fantastic time
whilst whilst you're doing it obviously
providing you can find things at the
right level and and that's the thing I
think certainly for me it's just finding
a way to get an enjoyable habit and
that's how you're going to pick up the
language rather than uh it it shouldn't
be something you have to force yourself
to do because the sheer number of hours
it takes to acquire a language you're
never going to get there if you if
you're not enjoying what you're doing
it's just not going to work is it for
Learners if you could give them one
piece of advice in terms of how to
improve their language learning or or
learn in in a way that like we say will
keep it sustainable and hopefully
enjoyable but also effective what would
you advise people the one thing that I
think is most important especially for a
beginning language requires like really
all of us is lower your expectations and
and the reason I say that is that's
that's such an important advice for
anyone trying to learn something new
especially as an adult because adults
are very hard on themselves they think
that they should be going faster than in
fact they can for example a lot of
people say well I wish I started
learning Spanish when I was 5 years old
or three years old kids pick up language
so
quickly nonsense that's a complete myth
children do not acquire language quickly
what happens instead is that our
perception for children is different
different than our perception or
expectations for ourselves as adults so
we think that kids are picking up
language quickly but in fact when you go
back and you study kids acquisition it's
quite slow and labored language
acquisition takes time if you put
expectations on yourself that are
unreasonable you're going to get
discouraged and you will stop so I think
the average person who wants to improve
their language or learn language the
first thing that need to be is realistic
lower your expect
it takes time but the good news is we
know how to do it if you enjoy it enough
you will continue doing it and the way
you do that is by finding comprehensible
input
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