Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann

I used to say that age is no obstacle to language learning. I want to state that differently now. I think seniors should learn languages. The benefits are many.

In my latest video I talk about how much my interest in history has influenced my language learning. It has been my inspiration, my source of interesting content, and represents much of the time that I have spent learning these languages. And just about all of them my interest in history sustained me.

To achieve a comfortable level in a language you first have to have a reason, a subject of interest, a friend, something that you focus on directly. Your ultimate goal of fluency is the indirect result of his first step.

The realization, thanks in large part to Stephen Krashen, that meaningful, comprehensible, and compelling input (CI) is the key to language learning success is changing how languages are taught. But how does it work, given that the new language is incomprehensible when we start?

I favour using content of interest, compelling content, to make language learning enjoyable. But many school learners simply aren't interested. Can setting a specific list of words to learn make things better?

It's a common question: are extroverts better language learners than introverts? I don't think it matters. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3FG2b48

Gabriel is a wonderful polyglot. He learned them mostly one after the other, motivated by different things, and encouraged by his success. I think that is the case with most polyglots.

We need meaningful input to learn languages. Listening is great for preparing to speak and is the most portable learning activity, but reading is where I feel I acquire the most words.

What are the most common problems I see in language learners? A big one is that people don't realize how long it takes and give up too soon. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3jY6eAb

Language acquisition is a slow and gradual process of improvement, uneven and sometimes imperceptible. Having clear tasks helps to keep you going. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3blwrnJ

Veronika teaches English at her youtube channel English with Veronika Mark. Her English is flawless. She learned at home in Russia. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3BcMs9Z

I focus a lot on input, reading and listening, but my goal is always to speak the language. Output is important and the languages that I speak and probably understand the best are the ones that I have spoken the most. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3nhfGQ7

To become a polyglot, you have to start by wanting to learn just one language. If you do so you may find you're motivated to learn another language, because you enjoyed the experience, the cultural enrichment, and the sense of satisfaction of becoming fluent in a new language. You're on your way. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3FXTMdp

Those of us who learn languages typically spend a lot of time engaged in various language learning activities. It's well worthwhile understanding how we learn languages. There is no better source of information on this subject, no better explainer, than Stephen Krashen. 🔥 Learn languages like I do with LingQ: https://bit.ly/3FBCDWw

Some people want to learn slang and even swear words at an early stage of their learning. I've never done this and don't recommend it. You actually need quite a high level of familiarity with a language to be able to use these terms appropriately. There is a danger of creating a bad impression without realizing it.

The greater the variety of our language learning activities, the more different ways we use the language while learning it, paradoxically, the better we end up focussing when we interact with that language. We end up with an augmented reality experience. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3BaQd0o

It has occurred to me that the process of learning a language is not one of deliberately learning rules and words, but rather one of becoming familiar with a language, making another language a friend, whose traits and idiosyncrasies we appreciate and enjoy. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3kMtfHc

People often look for better ways to do things, sometimes called hacks. Are there hacks for learning languages? I checked out some productivity hacks on the Internet. Do they work for languages? Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/2XXpp5n

Stu Jay Raj speaks languages of southeast Asia, India and China. Most people know that the Indian subcontinent and China have a combined population of around 3 billion people but don’t realize Southeast Asia has a population of almost 700 million. There are a lot of people that Stu can speak to and learn from. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3hQgyt7

Language learning is in itself a form of travel. We are able to visit different cultures, different ways of saying things and to enjoy the pleasure of moving to exotic environments. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3hCfTew

Content drives enjoyment and success in language learning. It has evolved from teachers, books, tapes, online content including mp3 files, to all the ways we can learn from videos. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/394sFhy

Factors that influence our choice in languages to learn include how easy it seems, how useful it seems and our interest in the language. It is the last one, interest, that I find the most motivating. ___ Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/2XcM3qb

When starting out in a language, I prefer to focus on that language. Once I'm more advanced, I can combine it with the study of another language where I'm at a similar level. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3tiisY3

I did nothing in Persian for two weeks, no listening, no reading, and focused on Egyptian Arabic. When I next spoke with my Persian tutor, I did better than ever. Benign neglect.

My mornings are important. That's when each day begins. If I start each day by listening in my target language, this usually triggers further learning later in the day.

Language learning requires us to cut off some of our normal contacts in our own language, in order to concentrate on acquiring a new language. This can, at times, feel lonely. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/38e2LqT

We live in an age where we can easily access enormous quantities of great input material for our language learning. The downside is how easily we can be distracted. How do we deal with it?

Language learning depends on our motivation. But then, that is true of most things that are worthwhile doing in life. Here I talk about how to stay motivated when we're learning a new language. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3CBcu8K

I made a video about the importance of repetition in language learning. This generated questions from my viewers which I try to answer here. One common theme is that we need to mix in interesting compelling new content with our repetitive listening and reading. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3lKRPcv

I’m a strong supporter of Krashen’s language acquisition hypothesis and the importance of compelling input. But there is a role for repetitive listening to a limited range of content for reasons I discuss in this video. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3Ae7MvB

People tell me they have no time to learn languages. Sometimes it’s just a matter of getting started. Listening is the easiest activity to use to get started learning a language. Here are some thoughts on how to go about it. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3jdGmPB

I'm 45 days into my 90-day challenge of trying to get to the next level in Persian and Arabic. I thought I would like to do a monologue in Persian. It is full of mistakes, unrehearsed. That's what makes it useful for me, to notice my gaps and as a record of my progress.

My attitude towards language learning has changed over the last 15 years. I used to think speaking a handful of languages was a big deal. I now think there's no limit to the number of languages we can learn, as long as we aren't seeking perfection. Every language we learn, even a little of, is enriching.

Entrepreneurship and language learning are connected in my mind. Both involve creating value. Learning a language creates value for oneself. Entrepreneurship is all about creating value for others. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/36UL8Ms

Pronouncing well doesn’t mean pronouncing perfectly, it may require deliberate effort. That was my experience when learning Mandarin and French. In subsequent languages, the pronunciation just came to me. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3rj79O4

When people hear me speak languages like Mandarin, Japanese, French, or Russian, or see me eagerly trying out my more limited abilities in languages like Persian, Korean or Arabic, they often tell me I’ve a talent for languages. Yet these same people don’t put the effort into learning languages that I do. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3kn0qBp

As we are exposed to more of a language, things we hadn’t noticed before all of a sudden appear to us. This process of noticing more and more is an important part of acquiring the language. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3xBR8Fv

Books, plain old paper books, are a vital part of my language learning strategy. Traditional books are comfortable and comforting, with less opportunities for distraction than reading on my mobile device. It helps to cover the same material in different ways, electronic and paper based. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3hrbnjB

Most language learners fail. They may pass their exams but they fail to learn to speak the language they are learning, which is generally the goal. Maybe it's time to change the goal. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3dKRmlL

Listening is the killer app for language learning. How do we get better at listening if we struggle to focus? Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/36iHITr

Most people learn languages at school. How important are they to learning a language? It depends on the individual. I wouldn't go to one but recognize that for many people they are necessary. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3A3EZdU

Languages are for communicating, not for competing with others. Novak Djokovic competes in tennis but communicates wonderfully in different languages, despite the odd mistake. ___ Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3gTEvzs

Speaking skills in a language rely on massive input, listening, and reading. Critical thinking skills rely on knowledge of the subject matter, acquired through massive input, reading, and listening. I don't think these skills can be taught without massive input. ___ Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3iZ56wt

The most important function of a teacher, any teacher, including online language teachers, is to either feed the enthusiasm of the student or, where that is lacking, to trigger and inspire the desire to learn. Study a language on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3iOYeSk

Can we be lazy and learn languages? I think so. Here are my seven hints on how to be a successful yet lazy language learner.

I'm in the "Streak with Steve" challenge for both Arabic and Persian. I chose a minimal number of "LingQs created" in each language to make it easier to maintain my streak. In fact, I create many more LingQs every day in my major language of the week, and just try to keep the minor language streak alive. Learn languages like I do on LingQ: https://bit.ly/2ShaLDr

Grammar describes usage in a language at any given time in its evolution. It's hard for us to learn these rules of usage without a considerable investment of time in reading and listening. Input is the best way for our brain to get used to the patterns of language. Learn languages like I do on LingQ: https://bit.ly/34XdowY

Even a keen language learner like myself needs to be nudged from time to time. That is why I join the 90-Day Challenges at LingQ. I invite others to do the same, maybe even follow me, in the languages they are studying. Join me in a LingQ language challenge: https://bit.ly/3cizpKG

Want to learn a language like I do? Join LingQ today: https://bit.ly/3yPzU8w Pitch accent has received more attention recently, especially for learners of Japanese. Do I think pitch accent is important? No. Not important.

I always emphasize input in language learning, getting the language in you through listening and reading. But how do you get started speaking? I offer some advice in this video. Learn a new language like I do, on LingQ: https://bit.ly/3ftIoL3