How to Actually Learn a Language as an Adult
Summary
TLDRIn this insightful video, the multilingual YouTuber addresses common misconceptions about language learning and offers practical advice for adult learners. They emphasize the importance of identifying personal motivation, acknowledging age-related challenges, and understanding the role of one's native language in the learning process. The speaker suggests various learning methods tailored to individual styles, recommends resources like StoryLearning for visual and auditory learners, and stresses the significance of consistency and embracing mistakes. They also discuss strategies for overcoming intermediate plateaus and the importance of consuming media in the target language to enhance comprehension skills.
Takeaways
- 😀 Learning a new language, especially a Balkan one, requires understanding your motivation and acknowledging factors within and beyond your control.
- 🧠 The myth of effortless language learning promoted by some polyglots is debunked; learning a language is a gradual and consistent process.
- 👶 Age is a factor in language acquisition, with younger learners having an advantage, but adults can still achieve fluency with effort.
- 💡 Adult learners can enhance cognitive abilities and protect against brain degeneration by learning a new language, despite the challenges.
- 🕒 Time management is crucial for adult learners with responsibilities; the time invested directly impacts learning progress.
- 🌐 Language similarity to one's native tongue affects ease of learning; some language pairs are more closely related, making learning easier.
- 🔍 Identifying one's learning style (visual, verbal, auditory, or tactile) is essential for tailoring study methods effectively.
- 📚 Utilizing a variety of resources, such as textbooks, apps, and courses, can aid in expanding vocabulary and grammar understanding.
- 🎧 Engaging with the language through listening exercises and repeating pronunciations is fundamental for language acquisition.
- 🤝 Interacting with native speakers and seeking corrections can significantly improve language skills and provide practical experience.
- 🔄 Hitting a learning plateau is normal; changing study materials, consuming media in the target language, and adjusting strategies can help overcome it.
Q & A
What is the common misconception about language learning that the speaker addresses in the script?
-The speaker addresses the misconception that one can quickly master any language with little effort by purchasing a 'secret language course,' which is often promoted by self-proclaimed polyglots. The speaker emphasizes that learning a language is a gradual process that requires genuine effort and motivation.
Why is it important to identify one's motivation for learning a language according to the script?
-Identifying one's motivation is crucial because it helps maintain interest and perseverance throughout the learning process. Without proper motivation, learners may give up and revert to their monolingual habits, missing out on the cultural and cognitive benefits of being multilingual.
How does the speaker describe the impact of age on language learning capabilities?
-The speaker explains that while language acquisition is generally easier at a younger age, adults can still achieve high levels of fluency. The speaker notes that adults' life experiences with their native language make it harder for them to adapt to a new language system, but they can still learn effectively with the right approach and motivation.
What is the significance of acknowledging one's native language when learning a new one?
-Acknowledging one's native language is important because it influences the ease of learning a new language. Languages that are closely related to one's native language, sharing similar grammar and vocabulary, are typically easier to learn. Understanding this can help set realistic expectations and avoid unnecessary frustration.
Why is it essential for adult learners to consider their time constraints when learning a new language?
-Adult learners often have responsibilities such as jobs, family, and hobbies, which limit their free time. Considering these time constraints is essential for setting realistic goals and managing the learning process effectively, ensuring that the time invested leads to progress.
What role does the speaker suggest culture plays in motivating language learners?
-The speaker suggests that falling in love with the culture associated with the language being learned can be a powerful motivator. Engaging with cultural aspects such as movies, books, history, and people can provide continuous motivation and make the learning process more enjoyable.
What is the speaker's opinion on using Duolingo for language learning?
-The speaker advises against using Duolingo for language learning, as it has limited and recycled material and is designed to be grindy to encourage users to pay for a premium subscription. The speaker recommends using textbooks or alternative study methods for a more comprehensive learning experience.
How can learners identify their learning style according to the script?
-The speaker suggests that learners can identify their learning style by understanding how they best receive and digest information. Common learning styles include visual, verbal, auditory, and tactile. Once identified, learners can tailor their study methods to suit their preferred style.
What is the significance of the 'learning by teaching' method mentioned in the script?
-The 'learning by teaching' method is significant because it helps to combat the monotony of language learning by engaging the learner in an interactive and practical way. It also allows learners to solidify their understanding of the language by teaching it to others.
How does the speaker describe the intermediate plateau in language learning?
-The intermediate plateau is described as a phase where progress seems to halt, and what was once easy becomes difficult. The speaker advises that this is a normal part of the learning process and suggests changing learning materials, consuming media in the target language, and practicing new vocabulary to overcome this plateau.
What resources does the speaker recommend for language learners?
-The speaker recommends a variety of resources, including textbooks, audio textbooks, language learning podcasts, StoryLearning courses, and flashcard apps like Drops, 17 Minute Languages, and Anki. Additionally, the speaker suggests connecting with others through language-learning forums and apps like 'italki' and 'hellotalk'.
Outlines
😀 Motivation and Realities of Adult Language Learning
The speaker addresses the common inquiry about learning a new language, particularly from those with Balkan heritage. They debunk the myths propagated by 'hyper gigachad polyglots' who claim to teach multiple languages rapidly through expensive courses. Instead, the speaker shares personal insights into language learning, emphasizing the importance of identifying one's motivation, whether it's connecting with heritage or enjoying foreign media. They acknowledge the challenges of learning a language as an adult, such as the difficulty of reprogramming the brain compared to children, but also highlight scientific findings that adults can achieve fluency with perseverance. The speaker also discusses the impact of one's native language on the ease of learning a new one, noting that related languages are easier to acquire.
🔑 The Importance of Genuine Motivation and Learning Styles
This paragraph delves into the necessity of having a genuine reason for learning a language to maintain motivation. The speaker suggests immersing oneself in the culture of the target language through movies, books, and history to foster a love for the language. They also stress the importance of consistency and hard work over innate talent in language learning. The speaker introduces the concept of identifying one's learning style—visual, verbal, auditory, or tactile—and tailoring study methods accordingly. They recommend StoryLearning as a resource for visual and auditory learners, offering a sponsored testimonial of its effectiveness in teaching languages through stories, vocabulary, and simplified grammar explanations.
📚 Building a Progressive Language Learning Strategy
The speaker outlines the importance of finding a progressive learning source, such as textbooks or courses, to gradually introduce more complex language concepts. They share personal preferences for learning through textbooks, which often provide detailed explanations and dedicated vocabulary. The paragraph also emphasizes the use of supplementary aids like flashcards, language learning apps, and practicing verb conjugations to expand vocabulary and grammar knowledge. The speaker describes their own study routine, which includes textbook lessons, vocabulary practice, and grammar exercises, highlighting the need for consistency and repetition in language learning.
🤝 Seeking Help and Overcoming the Intermediate Plateau
The speaker encourages language learners to seek help through forums, apps, and tutors to practice speaking and get corrections. They caution against relying solely on Duolingo, critiquing its repetitive content and marketing strategies. The paragraph discusses the non-linear nature of language learning, where learners may hit a plateau despite progress. To overcome this, the speaker suggests changing learning materials, consuming media in the target language, and using tools like Netflix for listening and reading practice. They also recommend using flashcards for new vocabulary encountered during this phase.
🏁 Achieving Language Proficiency Through Consistency and Strategy
In the concluding paragraph, the speaker summarizes the journey of learning a language as an adult, emphasizing that it is challenging but achievable with proper motivation, work, and study time. They advise learners to use a variety of sources, switch strategies when hitting a plateau, and consume media in the target language. The speaker encourages reflection on the learning process, recognizing progress, and maintaining consistency. They invite viewers to share their language learning experiences and promote their channel for more such content.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Multilingual
💡Language Acquisition
💡Motivation
💡Cognitive Abilities
💡Language Families
💡Learning Styles
💡StoryLearning
💡Flashcards
💡Verb Conjugation
💡Language Learning Plateau
💡Media Consumption
Highlights
The importance of understanding why you want to learn a language and identifying your motivation for learning.
Dispelling myths about language learning and the unrealistic promises made by some language courses.
The impact of age on language acquisition and the misconception that adults cannot learn languages effectively.
The scientific evidence that adult learners can achieve the same level of fluency as child learners.
The benefits of learning a new language for cognitive abilities and brain health.
The reality of the language learning process being challenging and not quick or painless.
The influence of having adult responsibilities and limited free time on the pace of language learning.
The role of native language in language learning and how related languages can make the process easier.
The necessity of having a genuine reason for learning a language beyond external pressures.
Falling in love with the culture of the language being learned as a powerful motivator.
The significance of identifying your learning style and tailoring study methods to it.
Recommendation of StoryLearning as a resource for visual and auditory learners.
The need for a progressive learning source and the limitations of using Duolingo for language acquisition.
Strategies for overcoming the intermediate plateau in language learning, such as changing materials and consuming media in the target language.
The value of practicing language learning through teaching others and seeking help from language-learning communities.
Tips for utilizing technology, such as flashcards and apps like Anki, to enhance vocabulary retention.
The importance of consistency and practice in language learning, even when it feels monotonous.
Encouragement for adult language learners to stay motivated and recognize their progress despite challenges.
Transcripts
So being a multilingual YouTuber, one of the most common questions I’m asked is “how do you learn a
new language, more specifically a Balkan one”. And often these questions come from people with Balkan
ancestry, like parents or grandparents, or just people whose curiosity was piqued from watching my
channel. And considering there’s a lot of misinformation on the internet about the language
learning process made by hyper gigachad polyglots that speak 18 languages which they learned under
3 months, and so can you if you purchase their secret language course conjured by the ancient
Babylonians that they happened to mysteriously discover, with which you can master any language
in the world while you sleep with no effort at all only for the low price of 600 robux a month.
I’ve decided to create a video on how I learned & am still learning several different languages,
and how you can too with no price at all. So without further adieu let’s begin.
First of all, to maximize your learning potential, you gotta have a talk with yourself and honestly
identify why you want to learn a language, what’s your motivation behind it, and which factors are
in & out of your control. For some it might be getting in touch with distant relatives,
for others getting an EU passport, and for some others being able to enjoy those sick yugoslav
war songs without those pesky subtitles. Either way, you need to identify why you’re learning
the language you’re learning, as without proper motivation & reasoning eventually you
will give up & go back to your ways of a monolingual life enjoying bland Hollywood
movies, & never experiencing the joy of watching Naruto in a foreign language.
Another thing you must acknowledge at this step is a big elephant in the room:
your age. Everybody knows it: language acquisition is easier the younger you are,
and watching young people seemingly learn a language with no effort at all while it
takes you months to master the logic behind a single case can be extremely
frustrating and demotivating. Now this isn’t because as an adult you are dumber,
or more stubborn. Instead look at it more as the amount of life experience you’ve had with
your native language as your primary tool of world-building. The longer you’ve been alive,
the longer your brain will want to stubbornly hold onto its already existing system, rather than
do a hard reset to wipe it all clean and start rewiring your brain circuitry from scratch with
a program completely unfamiliar and foreign. However, that’s not the end-all-be-all.
The bad news is: yes, it’s easier when you start younger. But there’s good news:
scientists at MIT have found adult learners can still reach just as good of fluency as
those who learned a language as a child, and learning a new language to even a low level
will enhance your cognitive abilities and can help protect against brain degeneration later in life.
Despite how it may seem when you’re trying to teach your grandma to use an iphone,
the brain retains its learning capacity with age, and is entirely capable of rewiring itself
and alternating its circuitry throughout your life. However, anyone who says this process
is quick or painless is trying to get money from you, either via selling you something
or harvesting your hard-earned clicks. So if you’re embarking on this journey, be prepared
for it to have lots of bumps & obstacles that you’ll need to overcome. But they’re
not impossible & with perseverance & proper motivation you eventually will take them over.
Second, being an adult usually means you have icky adult responsibilities,
like having a job, hobbies, and paying god damn taxes. Your free time is more limited than a
kid’s. Just keep in mind the time you devote to learning will affect how quickly you progress.
Finally, you can’t control your native language. If you’re Dutch and you want to learn German,
congrats. Your languages share so much similar grammar and vocabulary, and your cultures are
so close that this’ll be a walk through the park. If you’re Estonian and you want to learn Japanese,
well, don’t expect such quick results. Languages in the same language families will overall
be easier to learn rather than languages from opposite families. So again, don’t beat yourself
up if you’re making less progress learning Korean, if your native tongue is English,
than a Romanian who’s learning Italian. Step 2: Getting Proper Motivation
It’s often said the hardest language to learn is the one you don’t want
to learn. Hence why it seems like half the world had to take French all four
years in high school but somehow no one remembers a single word. And to be fair,
who would want to become bilingual if your only other option for learning a language was French?
Nevertheless, because of this it is extremely important to have a real reason in learning
a language. If you are just learning it to get certain credits in college, or to get a passport
and nothing more, you most likely won’t make it far in your endeavor. The best way to motivate
yourself is to fall in love with the culture of the language you’re learning. Find movies,
books, history, people, & any and all cultural aspects that interest you & that you’d wish to
understand better. By incorporating them with your previous motivation to learn a language
you will have continuous motivation to continue studying and move forward. And if you’re learning
a language whose inner workings are the complete opposite of your mother tongue’s
you will need that motivation more than a League of Legends player needs a shower.
You’re also in control of how hard and consistently you’re willing to study. While it
may not feel like it when you’re slogging through your fourteenth case in Hungarian, hard work and
perseverance will beat raw innate talent every single time when it comes to learning a language
as an adult, and you are in control of whether or not you break out the flashcards,
or instead choose to watch the Big Bang Theory for the thousandth time. And a
lot of that key decision making will come from the reason why you want to learn this language.
So now that we have all that out of the way, how should you learn a language as
an adult? Well, there’s no set program I can dictate, as the process is so
highly based on the individual that the person themselves needs to decide what works and doesn’t
work for them, as there aren’t any shortcuts here. But I can give some advice on some methods
that I’d consider fairly universal, and that worked for me, and for no extra charge other than
the ads on YouTube. I know, I’m such a saint. First, identifying your learning style is key.
You don’t learn a language with only your brain, and each student receives and digests
information in different ways, depending on their backgrounds, culture, personalities, and life
experiences. Some interesting studies have shown that we tend to have a language-learning style:
visual, verbal, auditory, or tactile. Visual learners learn best when the information
is conveyed to them via the use of images, diagrams, videos, etc. Verbal learners prefer
written or verbal explanations over just visual displays. Auditory learners take in information
by listening. Tactile learners need whole body-experiences, like when dissecting a
frog to learn about anatomy. Figure out which one you are and tailor your study methods around it.
One great resource for visual & auditory learners I can recommend is StoryLearning. Now for those of
you that don’t know, I recently started learning Japanese, and let’s just say it’s not been the
easiest language out there. One of the main things I’ve struggled with is the alien grammar. However,
I was delighted to get sponsored by StoryLearning. StoryLearning offers courses in 11 different
languages, and in these courses they utilize stories to teach you your desired language.
As you read a story you also go over vocabulary & have the grammar explained to you in simple
terms you can understand. And as someone who has used a variety of different apps, software,
and courses throughout the years to learn my languages, this is extremely useful. So if you’re
someone who’s tried a variety of different apps or just don’t want to spent hundreds or thousands
on private lessons, then StoryLearning is for you. You’re not going to get fluent off
of just this alone, but it’s a great resource especially if you’re struggling to understand
grammar concepts on your own. The course is also made by Olly Richards, a fellow YouTuber
both me & my fiance have been watching for a long time. So I can wholeheartedly recommend his work.
And with my link in the description you can get any of the 11 languages for only
$97 instead of $297 for a limited time only. So go and check it out!
Anyways, when starting to learn a language, find a progressive source for learning. This
can either be a textbook, real life or digital course, or even a pathway within an app,
as long as it’s not Duolingo. That green bird is a mess that’s worthy of its own video. Either way,
find something with which you can progressively get introduced to more & more concepts of your
desired language & gradually introduce more grammar & vocabulary. While learning both
Hungarian & Romanian my preferred method is via textbook. A lot of times they’re written by a
professional and will explain certain grammatical concepts you don’t understand in more detail,
as well as give you dedicated vocabulary to learn for each chapter. Alongside this many also provide
worksheets where you can practice grammar & other concepts. If you’re a more audio based learner
consider buying an audio textbook or listening to a language learning podcast, or even recording
yourself reading & speaking the language. Enrolling in a class or finding a private tutor
is also a good alternative, but self study is still crucial in any case.
Now, finding a course or textbook will usually be the base of the process. However,
just utilizing your primary source won’t get the job done. Alongside
this you should utilize a variety of other aids to expand your vocabulary and grammar.
For example, I am a visual learner. As such, one of the best ways I learn vocab is through written
flashcards. Using applications such as Drops, 17 Minute Languages, and Anki were extremely
beneficial to me as they’d show an image of the word I’m learning, how it's written,
and pronounced. So by autistically going over them each day during my study time, or while I was in
public transit with fuck-all to do, I’d expand my vocab by just going over them again & again.
When it comes to conjugations of verbs or any words, ‘cause god knows Hungarian has a shit ton
of those, I would first find all of the relevant conjugations for a verb via a website such as
cooljugator.com, then I’d write ‘em down in a notebook. Then by using different colored pens I
would change the color of the suffix in a way of visualizing the change
& being able to better memorize it. I also utilized different apps for practicing verb
conjugations which was quite helpful in applying that knowledge & getting used to using them.
To practice listening, a lot of the textbooks I had came with audio CDs or
QR codes to download the audio files for the book. Then with each lesson I’d go over the
listening exercises & practice listening & pronunciation by repeating what was being said.
It’s not very glamorous, but if you’re consistent you’ll see results. At my peak
of learning Hungarian I’d spend 2 hours a day utilizing several of these practice methods,
starting off with a lesson from my textbook, and then jumping to vocab practice via flashcards, and
then finishing it up with some grammar practice via autistically conjugating verbs myself or
doing a worksheet from my textbook or app. It’s important that you don't skimp on consistency and
practice. It’s not glamorous, it can be even quite boring at times, but the repetition and monotony
is unfortunately key to the process of language acquisition. There aren’t many ways around this,
but you can help beat some of the monotony blues via using the ‘learning by teaching’ method,
as detailed here by Metatron’s Academy, who is an awesome resource for language-learning
I heartily recommend. Also don’t be afraid to
reach out and ask for help. It’s never been easier to connect with other people in the same
situation as you via language-learning forums. Reddit has subreddits for students for pretty much
all languages chock full of native speakers happy to help. If you’d like something more personal,
there are also plenty of websites and apps that can connect you with someone to practice with
such as “italki” & “hellotalk”. When I was really in the prime of my studying Hungarian I’d spend
1 day a week talking with my tutor who’d help me with my pronunciation & correct my grammar
mistakes. So don’t shy away from utilizing them. Speak with people as much as you can,
and make as many mistakes as possible and get corrected. There definitely are a lot
of good Youtube channels to recommend, however, as detailed in my Polyglots Are Polyliars video,
make sure you do your due diligence when researching which channels to follow. Hint: If
they offer fluency in a short amount of time while trying to sell you something, be very, very wary.
And also as I mentioned before, try to avoid Duolingo. I know the app has marketed itself
to be a fun alternative to learn a language, & I personally have used it for years. However,
the quality of the application has been degrading for a while. There is very little material being
used & a lot of the vocabulary & sentences are recycled. The app was also made to be grindy as
hell in a way to get you to pay for premium. So again, you’re much better off by using a textbook
or alternative modes of study than Duolingo, and better get on those methods early because even
if you use the app, eventually you will need different resources.
Something to be aware of, though, is that the language-learning process isn't
linear and you will occasionally hit a sudden, seemingly-out-of-nowhere plateau, which will feel
like a massive, extended brain fart and everything that once felt simple will have turned to
utter chaos and you’ll wonder if you’ve even learned anything at all. This is normal and no,
you didn’t forget everything. Beginner gains are a thing, and when you start from 0, your beginner
progress is massive and motivating. But then hits the intermediate plateau, and occasionally
your progress grinds to a halt and what once was easy now feels super difficult.
Usually the plateau arises after you’ve used up most of your sources & have reached an
intermediate knowledge level of your desired language. At this point it is best to do
several things to get the momentum rolling again. The first thing is, to change the
material you’re learning your language from. If you’ve finished with one textbook, this is
your time to get another more intermediate one. The second part is to start consuming
media in the language you’re learning, via reading books or comics, watching tv,
listening to music, and everything and anything in between. One of the best
resources for this is Netflix. If you watch Netflix original shows a lot of
the time they will be dubbed in a bunch of different languages and also offer subtitles
in them as well. If you can’t find your desired language there, you can try looking for it by
switching countries via VPN. That’s usually how I’d still watch my shows in Hungarian while I was
visiting my family in the US. Although at times the subtitles & dub won’t match, it is nonetheless
a great resource to use to practice your comprehension skills in both listening & reading.
In your earlier language learning days, this was probably quite a bit of a more difficult task,
and when you reach a beginner intermediate level, consuming media will still be a bit difficult.
However, once you get used to listening & reading from native speakers it will get easier and your
learning will progress. It will seem incredibly difficult at times as people will speak way too
fast & it can be quite demotivating for you not to understand a word after all of this
time spent learning the language, but this will disappear the more you practice listening. You
just have to push through it. I recommend at this stage basically writing down all
the new words you encounter into flashcards or a flashcard app like Anki & start practicing those.
For example in my Hungarian books, whenever I wouldn’t know a word I would highlight it,
write the translation above it & insert it into my anki app & then practice it each morning.
Unfortunately, a lot of the time throughout the intermediate plateau it will seem like
you’re barely making any progress, but again, that’s just because you’ve made
so much already. And in a couple of months when you look back on your
position now, you will recognize how much progress you actually made. Again,
it’s important to just be consistent & remember why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Overall, learning a language as an adult can be quite the challenge but it is not
impossible. With proper motivation, work, and dedicated study time the process doesn’t have
to be such an agonizing and torturous ordeal many make it out to be. Just
remember why you’re learning the language you are, use a variety of different sources & exercises,
and once you hit the plateau switch up your strategies & start consuming media. And with
that, you will be on the road to reach high language proficiency or even fluency. Anyways,
are you learning a new language as an adult? If so, feel free to comment below with what
your experiences have been like, the highs and lows, and what resources have you found to help
you. If you enjoyed this type of video click that subscribe button or become
a member like these wonderful people or hell, go and check out my merch at
the ironic shop dot com. My name is Janos & you’ve watched Living Ironically in Europe.
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