Idiomas podem mudar sua vida - um pouco de minha história e dicas para aprender novas línguas

Summary

In this video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of learning new languages, sharing personal experiences of studying German and English. The speaker recounts how mastering these languages opened significant professional and academic opportunities, and provides practical tips for language learning. Recommendations include choosing effective courses, utilizing literature, and leveraging audio methods like Michel Thomas and Paul Noble. The video also highlights the speaker's background in philosophy and software development, underlining how language skills have been instrumental in their career.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of learning new languages and how it has positively impacted their life with opportunities.
• 🌍 The speaker is fluent in German and English, having lived in Germany and worked as an English teacher, and shares personal experiences to encourage language learning.
• 📚 Learning a new language can open doors academically and professionally, allowing one to understand and read texts in different languages.
• 🎓 The speaker's academic focus on philosophy and specifically on German idealism and psychoanalysis led them to learn German to read original texts by Hegel, Marx, and Freud.
• 💼 Professional opportunities such as working on an international project for a US company and moving to Germany were largely due to language skills, particularly English and German.
• 👨‍🏫 The speaker recommends the 'Side by Side' method for learning English, which they found effective during their time as an English teacher.
• 📈 For accelerated language learning, the speaker suggests learning English first as it serves as a gateway to access other language learning methods like Michel Thomas and Paul Noble's audio courses.
• 📘 Reading simplified literature and texts one already knows in their native language in the target language can significantly expand vocabulary and understanding.
• 🎧 The Michel Thomas and Paul Noble methods focus on audio learning, which is a natural way for humans to learn languages by listening and speaking.
• 🏢 To truly master a language for professional or academic purposes, immersion can be beneficial, as it forces daily use of the language, as experienced by the speaker in Germany.
• 🔑 Motivation is key to learning a new language, whether it's internal, driven by a love for the language itself, or external, driven by professional or academic needs.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is the importance of learning new languages and the personal experiences of the speaker in learning languages such as English and German.

Why did the speaker start learning English?

The speaker started learning English at the age of 7 out of personal interest and desire, despite not having any family members who spoke the language.

What was the speaker's first job and how did it relate to learning English?

The speaker's first job was as an intern in telemarketing, which led to the opportunity to study English through a scholarship provided by the company.

What is the 'Side by Side' method mentioned in the script, and why does the speaker recommend it for learning English?

The 'Side by Side' method is a language learning approach from the 1980s that the speaker found effective in learning English. It is recommended because it is clear, simple, and not overly complicated, unlike some newer methods.

What are the two types of motivation mentioned for learning a language, and how do they differ?

The two types of motivation are internal and external. Internal motivation comes from a personal interest in the language itself, while external motivation is driven by external factors such as professional requirements or academic needs.

How did the speaker's language skills open up opportunities for them?

The speaker's language skills, particularly in English and German, opened up opportunities such as working on an international project for a U.S. company and moving to Germany due to their software development skills and language proficiency.

What is the speaker's advice for those who want to learn a new language?

The speaker advises to have a clear motivation for learning a new language, whether it is internal or external, and to consider courses or methods that provide a solid foundation, such as the 'Side by Side' method for English.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of learning English before other languages?

The speaker emphasizes learning English first because it is an international language that provides access to a vast amount of literature and cultural content, and it also serves as a gateway to learning other languages more quickly.

What are the Michel Thomas and Pimsleur methods, and how do they differ from traditional language learning methods?

The Michel Thomas and Pimsleur methods are audio-based language learning approaches that focus on spoken language acquisition without the use of textbooks. They differ from traditional methods by emphasizing listening and speaking, which is a more natural way of language learning according to the speaker.

What is the speaker's view on the role of immersion in language learning?

The speaker acknowledges that while immersion can greatly improve language learning, as evidenced by their own experience living in Germany, it is also possible to reach a satisfactory level of reading in a language without immersion, as they did with German in Brazil.

What is the speaker's final recommendation for language learners?

The speaker's final recommendation is to start with English due to its accessibility and the rapid return on investment in learning it. They also emphasize the importance of maintaining motivation over the long term, as language learning is a project that takes several years.