I Asked 5 Top Polyglots How to Learn a Language FAST

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  • čas přidán 16. 05. 2024
  • ⏱ What's the best way to learn a language fast? I asked 5 friends who speak lots of languages how they would learn a language in a year.
    ⬇️ GET MY FREE STORYLEARNING® KIT:
    Discover how to learn any foreign language faster through the power of story with my free StoryLearning® Kit 👉🏼 bit.ly/freeslkit_polyglottips
    Here are the 5 polyglots I talked to:
    @IkennaLanguages
    @jofranco
    @LucaLampariello
    @RobinMacPhersonFilms
    @WouterCorduwener
    📺 WATCH NEXT:
    How U.S. Military Linguists Learn Languages Fast
    👉🏼 • How U.S. Military Ling...
    📖 LEARN A LANGUAGE THROUGH THE POWER OF STORY
    Stories are the best way I have found to learn ANY language. Forget the boring textbooks and time-wasting apps and learn a language the natural, effective way with one of my story-based courses. 👉🏼 bit.ly/storylearningcourses
    📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
    iTalki 👉🏼 bit.ly/italkistorylearning
    Pimsleur 👉🏼 StoryLearning.com/pimsleur
    LanguageTransfer 👉🏼 www.LanguageTransfer.org
    Assimil 👉🏼 www.assimil.com
    🕰 TIMESTAMPS:
    0:00 - Asking the experts
    0:20 - How many languages do you speak?
    1:57 - How would you learn a language in 1 Year?
    9:20 - How would you spend $500 to learn a language?

Komentáře • 407

  • @storylearning
    @storylearning  Před 2 lety +45

    Curious how the U.S. military learns languages fast? 👉🏼 czcams.com/video/Pi5taR18uZ8/video.html

  • @393Nestor
    @393Nestor Před 2 lety +628

    I don’t know I usually slam the textbook against my head until I learn…. Results may vary

    • @user-vc4ns6ls9j
      @user-vc4ns6ls9j Před 2 lety +96

      So that's what they mean by "speak languages at different levels", the heavier the textbook, the more it hurts, the faster they learn

    • @CouchPolyglot
      @CouchPolyglot Před 2 lety +51

      in Spain they used to say "la letra con sange entra", so it is like your strategy, but you need to make sure to bleed so it works 😜😂

    • @storylearning
      @storylearning  Před 2 lety +47

      😅

    • @user-zy9yg2eu5t
      @user-zy9yg2eu5t Před 2 lety +4

      This is terrible advice. This wouldn't teach you anything.

    • @veejayroth
      @veejayroth Před rokem +6

      @@user-zy9yg2eu5t xD

  • @itchyPoncho
    @itchyPoncho Před 2 lety +402

    I find learning how to say multiple phrases with words/phrases like " I can (blank)" "I think (blank)""I would like (blank)" etc are the best to focus on at first . Phrases like this in what ever language you are learning are SOO helpful

    • @teresita.lozada
      @teresita.lozada Před 2 lety

      @MisterArledge I agree with you.

    • @rashidah9307
      @rashidah9307 Před 2 lety

      You're right.

    • @Freakazoid12345
      @Freakazoid12345 Před rokem +4

      What makes these useful?
      What situations?
      As somebody who grew up speaking two languages I've found that, "Sorry" "Where is the bathroom" "Can I have [blank]" "How much is [blank]" are the most useful.

    • @gefen314
      @gefen314 Před rokem

      Yeah very true

    • @jeffw7382
      @jeffw7382 Před 10 měsíci +1

      @@Freakazoid12345 a little late, but they're useful because of their versatility. The phrases you gave are useful but limited in scope. But if you're learning Spanish then learning things like "Tengo que" "Quiero" "Tengo ganas de" give a framework that you can employ many situations.

  • @blahdyblah7158
    @blahdyblah7158 Před 2 lety +298

    I find it interesting that no one mentions that learning methods can vary based on the language. Yes, you need an intro period to get the basic gist and to consume a bunch of vocabulary, but... I think each language requires its own approach. French, for example, requires a ton more work to understand and produce the pronunciation than, say, German, which instead has a steeper grammar learning curve. Where I put my energy, or even the definition of what it means to be "capable" in these languages, is very different.

    • @storylearning
      @storylearning  Před 2 lety +73

      I agree to a point, although I think reaching basic competency in any language is really just 10% of the journey. The other 90% is just building knowledge over time, and I think that is pretty much the same in most languages

    • @rashidah9307
      @rashidah9307 Před 2 lety +14

      I agree with you! Each language has its own challenges for the learner. It could be the sounds of the language, complex grammar, a different writing system that makes some learning methods extremely slow or inefficient, the gap between the formal language and the spoken version of the language, dialect diversity, or just the lack of learning resources available. I believe I remember Luca talking about his failure to learn Japanese using the approach he'd used to successfully learn many other languages.

    • @ReReChan
      @ReReChan Před 2 lety +14

      It's also different if you have different native languages. I find that the approach I took to learn Spanish is completely different than when I was learning Chinese cos they both have completely different grammar (Chinese grammar is closer to my native language, thus I spent less time in understanding the grammar, than Spanish) and writing (so I spent more time trying to memorize what a word looks like in Chinese than Spanish cos Chinese uses different writing system than my native language). A Korean *will* take a different approach when learning English and Japanese cos Japanese have very similar grammar and pronunciation while English has very different grammar and pronunciation.

    • @rashidah9307
      @rashidah9307 Před 2 lety

      @@ReReChan Agreed!

    • @RexGalilae
      @RexGalilae Před rokem

      I think German and French are bad comparisons in this case as German pronunciation can be still more difficult to many English speakers. Spoken French is flowy and rolls off the tongue easier, I'd say
      A better comparison would be Mandarin vs Latin
      In Mandarin, the grammar is quite familiar to English speakers as both are weakly inflected languages with the same word order, etc but the difficulty in writing and tonal pronunciation is off the charts
      Latin is easier to pronounce but its grammar is quite a bit involved as you have to memorize 5 declension tables for nouns and adjectives and yet more conjugation tables, etc etc
      With Mandarin, you'd be spending way more time on writing than Latin, which uses the Latin script but way less time on grammar

  • @Maxippouce
    @Maxippouce Před 2 lety +77

    Luca is really well above most of youtube "polyglots", his accent in any language he speaks is impeccable, he is a machine.

    • @kidsandus8061
      @kidsandus8061 Před rokem +3

      He is very tallented. For some people speaking is easier to pick up then for others.

    • @LiborSupcik
      @LiborSupcik Před rokem +1

      his accent is not UK and so not impeccable also he said 'invest on' which is ok but not in

    • @Tehui1974
      @Tehui1974 Před rokem

      @@LiborSupcik you sound like a hater.

    • @jthymesthree602
      @jthymesthree602 Před 4 měsíci +4

      @@LiborSupcikHe has an American accent and it is very good. Stop being pretentious

  • @joaoruiz2577
    @joaoruiz2577 Před 2 lety +171

    What Wouter said about using one language to learn another language is so true!! My native tongue is portuguese, but since I'm living in France I'm learning chinese in french. and let me tell you: even though i have absolutely no problem with the french language outside of learning chinese, every week I learn something new in french!

    • @kidsandus8061
      @kidsandus8061 Před rokem +6

      I find it confusing. I suppose it depends on the level of your secondary language.

    • @udontevenwannaknowbruv
      @udontevenwannaknowbruv Před rokem +6

      I only recommend doing this if you know the language well enough to use it to learn your next target language. Otherwise you’ll make it unnecessarily hard for yourself

    • @campbell1446
      @campbell1446 Před rokem +1

      I'm doing that now -- I'm taking a class in Welsh. I also have private lessons with a tutor who is native in my second language and fluent in Welsh. We do not speak English. The tutoring sessions use my second language to help me with Welsh, my fifth language.

    • @MxrmGxrl4
      @MxrmGxrl4 Před rokem +4

      It’s such an interesting language-learning technique, don’t think I’d ever heard of it till today. I’m hoping that one day, when I’ve reached a strong conversational level in German, I’ll find a German-speaking tutor who can teach me either Swedish or Greek (random, I know 😂)

    • @prapanthebachelorette6803
      @prapanthebachelorette6803 Před 9 měsíci

      @@kidsandus8061 also don’t choose languages that are way too closely related

  • @DioThermidor
    @DioThermidor Před 2 lety +91

    Something that's been helpful for me is to rewatch old shows or movies or anime in a new language.
    Or reread a book.
    Or replay a game.
    Since I already know what characters intend to say, the plot and such, I already know the meaning of what they're saying.
    In my opinion, that's as close to learning like a newborn baby as you can get. Because you don't have to translate words into words, you have to translate concepts and feelings and situations into words. It just feels...organic.

    • @jessicaraewood5016
      @jessicaraewood5016 Před 2 lety

      Do you keep the subtitles on or turn them off on a show???

    • @DioThermidor
      @DioThermidor Před 2 lety +2

      @@jessicaraewood5016 You can use subtitles if you're still kinda new, but only if you actively ositen and try to connect words. Once you have a decent understanding of the basics and enough verbs, no subtitles.
      You can use spanish subtitles of course. There's a chrome extension called language reactor that, for netflix (in browser) and CZcams, allows you to turn on subtitles in your target language. You can hover over a word and see what it means.

    • @wezerd
      @wezerd Před rokem

      Based pfp

    • @DioThermidor
      @DioThermidor Před rokem +1

      @@wezerd The most based.

    • @wezerd
      @wezerd Před rokem

      @@DioThermidor indeed. The future is bright

  • @CouchPolyglot
    @CouchPolyglot Před 2 lety +138

    Emotional connection is key, I am glad Luca mentioned it ❤Routines are key too, yeah, and combining different activities is awesome (like learning languages while exercising, cleaning, walking, etc.)
    Great tips and nice to see that not everyone learns the same way, I think it is about trying out different methods and seeing what works best for you in terms of both enjoyment and progress 😄

    • @storylearning
      @storylearning  Před 2 lety +5

      Thanks!

    • @kidsandus8061
      @kidsandus8061 Před rokem +1

      I agree too. Any tips on connecting emotionally with a language?

    • @bryananderson3772
      @bryananderson3772 Před rokem +4

      @@kidsandus8061 find a love who speaks that language. I learned Spanish by chasing Spanish women

    • @StillAliveAndKicking_
      @StillAliveAndKicking_ Před 8 měsíci

      @@bryananderson3772So you can now say in Spanish”Go away or I call the police” and “I have pepper spray in my bag”. Just kidding.

  • @madeline569
    @madeline569 Před 2 lety +83

    Honestly, my favourite "method" is using as many methods as I can. Every type of learning teaches me a different aspect of the language.

    • @m0o373
      @m0o373 Před 2 lety

      Can u give an exmaple

    • @madeline569
      @madeline569 Před 2 lety +7

      @@m0o373 yeah of course! For example Pimsleur method, is the method where you are made to repeat out loud sentences in the language, and different situations and the vocabulary they require are gradually built up lesson by lesson. In this method there is no reading or writing the language , purely listening and speaking. This is almost the complete opposite to the "rote learning" style taken by most language schools, where you sit in class 5 hours a day with a workbook, learning most basic words and grammar structures to intermediate level without ever actually learning how to casually express yourself. These two methods work well together because I believe one is useless without the other, you cannot only learn expressions without grammar, and you cannot only learn flash cards and grammar rules without actually speaking. On top of this. I like to use methods like, watching children's show in the language I'm learning, tv show, listening to podcasts while I'm in the shower, so I am somewhat "surrounded" by the language even if I am in the wrong country. I also occasionally like daily small tests such as the style in language learning apps just to keep some random vocabulary fresh in my mind and have a general goal and moving forward in the course.

    • @ricardo6929
      @ricardo6929 Před 2 lety

      Don't you get overwhelmed for that?

    • @elainepotgieter9403
      @elainepotgieter9403 Před 7 měsíci

      This is such good advice. I've been listening to various podcasts about the same language and it's fantastic. Some give short lessons covering one small aspect of vocabulary or grammar in English, others give longer lessons completely in the target language, others are a mix, some have short stories, some have people going onto various places like the supermarket and doing everything in the target language. There are so many ways to learn the language. Some have long loops with loads of words and sentences being repeated a few times followed by an English translation, I play those when I'm doing other stuff and I'm just absorbing so much. I watched a movie in Spanish today for the first time and was very pleasantly surprised at how much I could understand. I didn't use subtitles as I couldn't find them, lol. I've also started following various accounts on Twitter in my target languages. There are soooo many resources out there to make it fun. The internet and modern media are great resources. No more grammar books, ha ha

  • @nataliehowe6213
    @nataliehowe6213 Před rokem +36

    I love the idea that you have to connect emotionally to the language. I'm learning Icelandic, and I have had several people ask me why. The amazing CZcams channel Icelandic for Foreigners did an entire video about this recently and quoted Harry Potter: "the wand chooses the wizard". Why do I want to learn Icelandic? Because I do, because I love the idea of speaking a "hard" language fluently. If it doesn't resonate with you, if there isn't something about it that just speaks to you for whatever reason, you likely won't practice. It's the concept of delight led learning, which is how kids teach themselves about bugs, sewing or computers.

    • @lordwobbuffet3205
      @lordwobbuffet3205 Před 6 měsíci

      I want to learn Icelandic because I really like Hatari

  • @fernandocupil.6463
    @fernandocupil.6463 Před 2 lety +107

    Olly, por favor más videos como este. Creo que atraen a la gente. Ver colaboraciones con otros políglotas es algo muy atractivo. Me encanto! Mucho éxito👏

  • @CultureJourney
    @CultureJourney Před 2 lety +45

    I love what Luca said. An emotional connection is so important! I also love using paper/ writing things out. I keep a journal and write in whatever language I feel like and it’s so much fun! Thanks for this video, one day in the future I might consider getting a language tutor.

    • @kidsandus8061
      @kidsandus8061 Před rokem

      I find a language tutor motivating. I highly recommend it. You can't compare it to learning from books or the Internet.

  • @Number77712
    @Number77712 Před 2 lety +9

    It's always lovely to see the CZcams language learning community working together to get people learning and having fun.

  • @ashtonshelton8584
    @ashtonshelton8584 Před 2 lety +2

    Olly, this video was incredible! Your interviews and analyses are always amazing, and your ability to listen to your guests is almost second to none. I’d be really curious to see you do a video or two on/with Nathaniel Drew. Keep doing what you’re doing. You’ve created a very special space on CZcams here. Much love from Austin, Texas!

  • @corilewis
    @corilewis Před 2 lety +2

    This video, and the military one you mentioned, really helped me feel more confident about finding a language-learning path that feels personal and works for me. Thanks for the interesting videos!

  • @cjwhitmore1881
    @cjwhitmore1881 Před 2 lety

    Great video idea Olly! Would love to see more of these in the future.

  • @reigngoddess
    @reigngoddess Před 2 lety +2

    These were all such useful tips and it was great to hear tips I hadn't even thought of. I always hear about immersion and listening to podcasts/watching movies, etc. but the tip that resonated with me the most was Jo's tip about looking at our daily habits and incorporating language learning in those habits. I hadn't known some of these polyglots so they all earned a subscribe from me. Videos such as these are encouraging and inspiring; thank you Olly!

  • @servantrose
    @servantrose Před 2 lety

    this was a beautifully done video and great info!!

  • @dominicklyve8297
    @dominicklyve8297 Před 2 lety +71

    I love that Olly, who makes money by selling language learning materials, is confident enough to post a video that says (in part) that a person doesn't need to buy a lot of these!
    (P.S. I've used only a few of Olly's materials, and they've all been great.)

    • @YogaBlissDance
      @YogaBlissDance Před 2 lety +4

      I like his Storylearning course, it's great, but I dont' think it's for a brand new beginner, more like an A2 level.

    • @CrisTryingToBeProductive
      @CrisTryingToBeProductive Před 2 lety +3

      True and you can tell because this channel never bombards you to make you buy the courses, because they're good by themselves. I bought them and feel happy with my purchase.

    • @crooniegrumpkin4415
      @crooniegrumpkin4415 Před 2 lety +3

      @@YogaBlissDance I disagree. I started his German Uncovered from next to zero and now I can read basic stuff (my level) and am ready to try speaking. Perhaps I'm A1+ or A2-. As the video points out, there is no one Best way for everyone. Maybe I just selected a program that happened to work well for me.

    • @laur-unstagenameactuallyca1587
      @laur-unstagenameactuallyca1587 Před 2 lety

      @@CrisTryingToBeProductive I used to watch his channel for ages a while back and never made the connection that he was the author of those books lol. That's how good they are, I didn't even see them as youtuber merchandise (even though there's nothing wrong with that usually).

    • @YogaBlissDance
      @YogaBlissDance Před rokem

      @@crooniegrumpkin4415 It was the Italian course that I felt that way about.

  • @majupiano
    @majupiano Před 2 lety

    Great questions for them! Thank you for this!

  • @joebadger2409
    @joebadger2409 Před 2 lety +29

    As an English learner I would say that learning a language is really ''hard'' especially if you want to achieve the fluency level.
    Most of the polyglots are not that fluent even if some of them claim that.
    What I would say is, if you want to be fluent you need to work hard enough and to surround yourself with your target language as possible as you can. And of course knowing the purpose behind your decision plays an important role, not only in language learning but also in almost anything you want achieve.

    • @bryananderson3772
      @bryananderson3772 Před rokem +3

      Exactly! I learned Spanish because I had a proclivity to chase Spanish women. Talk about motivation for a young man

  • @LearnEnglishwithCamille

    Fantastic interviews!! 🎉🎉loved this video.

  • @catmgunjunkie
    @catmgunjunkie Před 2 lety +9

    I have to commend you on these videos. Having different perspectives and sources other than your own exudes genuine integrity in helping people learn other languages. I can appreciate that.
    Basically, "Hey I have this method that works for me for this amount, but here are some other sources and perspectives as well from other polyglots!"
    Also, you don't criticize the other sources mentioned. Super impressed with your channel and books!

  • @crooniegrumpkin4415
    @crooniegrumpkin4415 Před 2 lety +1

    Miss the IWTYAL podcasts but have been enjoying your new video series. They've been keeping my LL juices flowing. This one is great. Add me to the "Keep them coming" column.

  • @StuartJayRaj
    @StuartJayRaj Před 2 lety +8

    Great stuff Olly - and great to see everyone in one clip together.

  • @crimsonhawk52
    @crimsonhawk52 Před 2 lety +1

    great video! Love to hear a wide variety of opinions. And great questions too

  • @wetwillyis_1881
    @wetwillyis_1881 Před 2 lety +10

    It's always amazing to me how many people speak different languages. Sometimes I greet people in public with a non-English greeting to see how they will respond; you'd be amazed how many people in my area can have a conversation with me in German.

  • @TheTexican05
    @TheTexican05 Před rokem

    Olly - I’ve been away from your channel for too long! Blame the YT algorithms. They’ve been cramming stuff I don’t want onto my feed…
    I found this one on accident and you guys NAILED some great points and ideas for language learners.
    The bit about saying a LOT with very few words describes the first ten years of my Spanish speaking career, and the inverse is the problem with most English grammar courses in school. (Teaching too many words when most are too fancy or complex for regular use)
    I had a very limited but effective vocab pool to work with in the early years of my Spanish speaking.
    I became very adept at communicating whatever I needed to get across, often by simplifying the sentence.
    I had to work a little harder to comprehend new vocab being thrown at me sometimes, but my learning curve was shortened, because I was able to jump in and start talking with natives regularly at my job assignments. Instead of getting hung up on endless vocab and grammar studies from a book or app.
    Keep up the great work!

  • @DustinSchermaul
    @DustinSchermaul Před 2 lety

    What a great video again :). I can tell that lot's of work went into this one.
    Learning languages can be such a great tool to get to know yourself better. To learn to listen to yourself and to only do the things that actually work for you. Many principles can be also used in other areas of life.

  • @AnonymousAnonymous-rx9nz
    @AnonymousAnonymous-rx9nz Před 7 měsíci

    I think this is the most helpful video on this topic. Thank you so much

  • @stewste4316
    @stewste4316 Před 9 měsíci

    thats such a good video, thank you

  • @garrettedebord915
    @garrettedebord915 Před 4 měsíci

    Thank you for this video!

  • @Norvasc100
    @Norvasc100 Před 2 lety +13

    HI Oily, just a quick note to let you know that this was a fantastic video to watch. You channel continues to provide great meaningful content to language learners. Your Italian series was also one of the best content out there too. Thanks again for your efforts.

    • @storylearning
      @storylearning  Před 2 lety +2

      Thanks very much for letting me know. These new types of videos are just experiments, so it is important for me to hear this feedback!

  • @Melgusta
    @Melgusta Před 2 lety +2

    Woww so many gems in this video! I look up to all of these people! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

  • @LivSenghor
    @LivSenghor Před rokem +8

    Four languages and counting! Just wanna add on, for Americans, highly recommend enrolling in the language courses at your local community college, especially if you’re a total beginner. Those classes are a billion times cheaper than university or private courses ($50-$150 usually) and they’re great for finding speech partners in your area

  • @TiffanyHallmark
    @TiffanyHallmark Před 2 lety +3

    Thank you, mulțumesc, gracias, danke for sharing this topic. I am finding that it's very inspiring to see how other languages learners/speakers do their studies. So many good tips presented today.

  • @premierauto6552
    @premierauto6552 Před 2 lety +1

    Great video as always Olly! Currently reading your short stories series and enjoying and struggling with it lol. I am a personal trainer and recently picked up a client who is a native spanish speaker and has very little english speaking ability. I feel one of the most powerful things for my Spanish has been our sessions. I am cueing her entirely in Spanish for exercise form as well as asking lots of questions for pronunciation and grammar. But more importantly, she is doing the same for her English. Having that relationship of both parties learning each other language I think is very powerful. I know you talked about this in your experience learning Spanish as well. If someone is out there struggling, find a person who is trying to learn your language and give it a go!

    • @elainepotgieter9403
      @elainepotgieter9403 Před 7 měsíci

      This is fantastic, you reminded me of the days when I learnt most of my Chinese. I had some Chinese friends who taught me a lot and I helped them with their English but the best was meeting a Chinese person who could hardly speak English. We used to spend hours together talking broken Chinese/English to each other and swopping words, it was incredible.
      I went to China shortly after that for a vacation and the vocabulary I had learnt up to that point really helped me out in many situations, including getting to the Beijing airport on time for my flight to Hong Kong after the bus I was supposed to catch didn't turn up. A taxi driver offered help to me and three Chinese people who were also stranded and I was able to understand some of what he was saying and realized he was splitting the fare between all of us. It was such an amazing feeling! He was very kind and he was delighted when I thanked him in Chinese for his help.
      I was also able to order a small ice cream in a McDonalds without pointing to a menu. Such a small thing but it was one of my proudest moments, ha ha.

  • @staceyreeves9523
    @staceyreeves9523 Před 2 lety

    I found Luca's info most relateable; similar style and approach. But all had something relatable. Thx for putting that together. Newb-to-french.

  • @tonycanderton1975
    @tonycanderton1975 Před 2 lety

    olly a great fan of yours
    learning French at the moment you just help so mutch to understand different methods it's so refreshing

  • @pint-o-taffy3521
    @pint-o-taffy3521 Před 2 lety +24

    I've been learning languages for a long time and a linguistics major. I know 2 languages comfortably, but I can do the basics in about 4 others. Here's my tips that work for me-
    -give yourself time to just hear the language
    Languages sounds funky and strange when you first hear it, just give yourself time to get used to all the new sounds and intonation
    -listen as much as you can
    Just watch stuff you like, translate a term like "travel video" and just watch videos that feel good to you.
    - I personally love watching kids tv shows
    They're visual and basic. Plus a lot of countries have their own kids tv shows. There's a lot of old Russian cartoons out there and they're pretty fun honestly
    -if you know a language, ladder off of it
    If you speak 2 languages, pick one you know well but needs improvement and use that to learn your new language. I use German to learn French on Duolingo
    -just have fun
    Language is just a way to communicate, you don't need to pressure yourself to be perfect because not even natives are perfect. Just learn what you like and enjoy the trip

  • @yannickingermany
    @yannickingermany Před 2 lety

    This was great Olly. I learnt how to refocus my energies in order to make my own method more efficient. 2 Takeaways, forming an emotional connection and bringing the travel to you; I wish I knew these a few years ago. :)

  • @foreverlearningfrench
    @foreverlearningfrench Před 2 lety +2

    Fantastique vidéo Olly ! J'ai appris de nouvelles idées.

  • @blotski
    @blotski Před 2 lety +11

    The secret is that there are no secrets. We all have to find our own ways.
    I've picked things up from different people like a magpie. I use the things I like and that work for me but there is no one single method I've got from somebody else.

  • @annettemcnabb5856
    @annettemcnabb5856 Před 4 měsíci

    This was really interesting! Thank you :)

  • @jodyleedrafta5673
    @jodyleedrafta5673 Před rokem

    One of your best efforts!

  • @daveheal0
    @daveheal0 Před 2 lety

    This was interesting. Thanks for putting it together! Would love if next time you try to dig in a bit more into the specific techniques these folks use. For instance when Luca said he prints out podcast transcripts, what does he do with them? From the piece of paper he held up it looks like he’s doing a lot of annotating with a pen and I’d love to know what his approach is to getting the most out of the transcript.

  • @agustinamei6691
    @agustinamei6691 Před 2 lety +1

    Gracias por el video ❤️
    Saludos desde 🇦🇷

  • @biosnap_art
    @biosnap_art Před 5 měsíci +1

    I find the advice of connecting with the language on an emotional level very interesting and useful.
    I live in a small country with a very hard language (Danish) where most of the population speaks English fluently as a second language so I have years of living here speaking and working in English and is very difficult for me to be fluent in the local language because is very-very hard for pronunciation but also everybody switches to English with foreigners. So I have built all my important relationships here in English or Spanish not in the local language,
    I realize thanks to this video that THIS is maybe THE big "mental block" I have that prevents me from being motivated to learn Danish even when I have all the resources to learn at my disposal and for free... and this is the first time I realize it, thanks to this video.

  • @Emma-mg4xk
    @Emma-mg4xk Před 4 měsíci

    Very interesting and useful video. Thank you 🙏🌹

  • @mrwetcloth4571
    @mrwetcloth4571 Před 2 lety

    Absolutely love your videos

  • @MarchingBandsFromHome
    @MarchingBandsFromHome Před 2 lety +33

    I could listen to Luca talk all day about languages. Great video Olly. I had lost my motivation to study, but this video has given me a little energy to get back into it. 👍🏼

  • @peterlovstrom4286
    @peterlovstrom4286 Před 2 lety +7

    Hi Olly
    Very, very Interesting video.
    For my Peninsula Spanish learning journey I first went to Spain and had an immediate emotional connection with the language, the people,, the food, the culture, the history and the geography of Spain 🇪🇸…and then I went from there to a Michel Thomas CD course to following very good CZcams channels to Podcasts, to an online course, to intercambios, to an immersion course in Spain and finally to weekly italki lessons as well as Netflix films …and Radio and TV shows.. reading books, articles and blogs in Spanish and making spanish friends where I live and helping them with their English as they help me with my Spanish…..this is what is working for me …I do something spanish EVERY single day and as a distance learner living in England..this is the key for me!
    Bizarrely enough, as I work in the creative field, just for fun, I taught myself ventriloquism during the pandemic lockdown and then wrote a small sketch in Spanish aimed at kids. Then I videoed it and put it out on CZcams…😂and it went down quite well..and I’m quite proud of it. For me it is important to do fun things like this to keep,the interest in the language going.

    • @jaydenwise30
      @jaydenwise30 Před 2 lety +2

      I’m learning spainsh and the Narcos series is very intriguing and 85% of the show is spainsh

    • @storylearning
      @storylearning  Před 2 lety +1

      Dedication and consistency, I love it!

  • @learnurduwithsara1068

    Great tips from these incredible human beings. Incorporating the languages in activities that I already do helps. Like listening to phrases on audible, watching grammar videos on youtube, short drama clips etc.

  • @Learninglotsoflanguages
    @Learninglotsoflanguages Před 2 lety +2

    Great video. Love printing things out. One channel with transcripts for everything I print them out and it’s way easier for me to learn. The same thing on a screen just doesn’t quite do it as well. It’s interesting. I wish I had $500 to invest in more tutor sessions. They are so fun :)

  • @ClemensDorfstetter
    @ClemensDorfstetter Před rokem +3

    Things that cost nothing are mostly worth nothing. I totally agree on that point. Paying for Materials to learn a language or paying someone to teach the language to you is a good form of commitment, i think.

  • @impactimage_org
    @impactimage_org Před rokem

    Helpful insights, thanks. Currently speak a few Latin-based languages, plus some of Slavic origin. About to commence Thai, which is another totally different ‘type’, so the tips provided are going to be useful in my quest. Thanks!

  • @aljenguden3703
    @aljenguden3703 Před rokem

    This is extremely useful thanks

  • @elainepotgieter9403
    @elainepotgieter9403 Před 7 měsíci

    I love what Jo said about social media. I was on Twitter today searching through many accounts in order to find my target languages. I previously joined some motor racing and tennis accounts and realized today I should do more of this. I love Twitter because it's everyday language and there is a character limit so you get a nice little snippet to read. It's not too overwhelming but enough to pique your interest and pick up a few new words at a time as well as cementing some existing more repeated words in your memory. I even came across some polyglot accounts which was awesome! I also think Wouter's idea of using one language to learn another is brilliant! Wow, that's a really clever trick, no wonder he's got 29 on his list! There was also one very interesting one which uses funny pictures to make words in various languages stick in your mind.

  • @raulacevedo-esteves9493
    @raulacevedo-esteves9493 Před 10 měsíci

    Great advice!

  • @samyafawz3695
    @samyafawz3695 Před 10 měsíci

    Very interesting.. thank you so much

  • @jonaskeepauthor1935
    @jonaskeepauthor1935 Před rokem

    Glad to see one of my preferences shown here as a tip, I always liked mixing pimsleur lessons with treadmill programs, my treadmill does 30 minute workout programs so pimsleur fits perfectly

  • @logiclanguagelearningFrench

    loved this!

  • @vivaobento
    @vivaobento Před 2 lety

    Rob is one of my most favorite polyglot CZcamsrs!

  • @NekoArts
    @NekoArts Před 9 měsíci

    Aside from immersion and actually forcing myself to use the language as much as possible, the most effective way for me has been to simply make it fun to learn. Sure, textbooks have their benefits, especially when you first start out, but I think most people get "turned off" by them pretty quickly and as a result, learning becomes a chore and you lose interest and might even find yourself making excuses to do it later (which eventually becomes never).
    For me, finding friends who are native in the language I try to learn has been beneficial in many ways; for one thing, they're not as afraid of correcting you when you're wrong and it feels less scary (in loss of a better word) to make mistakes in front of friends than someone who is/feels like an authority figure (like a teacher). It's a more casual environment that lets you practice without the pressure.
    Fun activities in the language also helps, whether watching movies or what have you. Karaoke has worked great for me since it challenges me to read, speak/sing and listen at the same time - plus, it's fun.

  • @rarediseasepatient
    @rarediseasepatient Před rokem

    This was a helpful video, @Olly Richards, because of the variety of language learners you interviewed. It was especially supportive for me to learn about @Wouter Corduwener, as I've felt intimidated and unsuccessful until now because I'd always enjoyed most and been most rewarded by learning 18 languages with most only at levels A1-A2, and only two at A2-B2; the only C2-proficiency exception being my native. I studied, and I still learn best, in groups other than the Indo-European language family: My degrees are in Music, with an Opera minor, and Linguistics, with an Applied Linguistics minor, so that, after three years of Spanish in prep. school, my Music major required one semester each of French, German, and Italian, and Linguistics required three semesters of a single language, for which I chose Russian. I think that, for this reason, the connection I have to groups of languages is in their cultural connection (I think that this creates a deep emotional connection, a driving force, as well), in addition to their family, so that, in addition to connecting Germanic and Italic languages and their structures and cognates, I connect the most common languages in each family to their artistic applications (EG opera), which provides additional context for comprehension and application (EG because themes in opera and their language lexicon and syntax for composition are similar. NB: This is also different in different periods, so that I think in subgroups of languages and their respective uses in Medieval & Baroque music as opposed to Romantic, for example). NB: Because of engagement of various parts of the brain, it is helpful to listen to an opera and read along with the libretto; following this by comparing libretti is also helpful for building on story comprehension with vocabulary and grammar. Today, I'm extremely sick, and my language skills, and my brain, are atrophying.
    Ah, PS, Olly: "Learn a Language 'FAST'?" Ghah! Fix, please? ;)

  • @ekakhalil793
    @ekakhalil793 Před 2 lety

    Amazing video!!!

  • @DaniiQuaza
    @DaniiQuaza Před 2 lety +2

    You should definately take control of your own learning! I decided to focus down on Spanish and Japanese, now I've applied for University. Having a course and teacher can improve motivation if your in control of your learning and all the resources are available via the teacher. A University degree includes a year away in whatever country you're studying the language of and can link you up with tons of other learners and native speakers. If any of you read the Bible, totally get a Bible in the language you're studying. Do your research though, for different versions the language can be quite antiquated or very modern. And especially look for things like Furigana in Japanese books and Pin Yin for Mandarin books.

  • @edmundjacobs4513
    @edmundjacobs4513 Před 2 lety

    Great video Olly! Thanks a Mil. Please share links to You tube channels of your guests.

    • @storylearning
      @storylearning  Před 2 lety

      Glad you enjoyed it! Links to their channels are in the description.

  • @UltimateTrackMom
    @UltimateTrackMom Před rokem

    In my journey for a second language I took a bit of time first and ask the Question to Google best way to learn language … after looking over I started with Duolongo and no goal. After 6 mos and losing my streak , I got serious
    Well more serious and started listening to CZcamsrs . Found one that was a game changer for me and he has become my one stop for renewing motivation relearning a basically answering most questions via his product. For me it’s great.
    I like novelty so every six or so months. I go on CZcams and re-motivate myself with videos like this one I heard a lot of good new things I had not heard and good ideas that I might insert into my journey…
    Thanks for the good motivation
    and once again and some new to me polyglots to check out you guys rock.

  • @user-qj1li2hr5e
    @user-qj1li2hr5e Před 12 dny

    Thanks for the tips, very good information, I'll put forPractice these tips. 😎👍Best regards.

  • @alicedelarge
    @alicedelarge Před rokem +2

    I respect all of the people in this video but to me, Luca is the real deal - it's extremely important to have a real connection to a language/culture and also reason why you want to study it. Very underrated tip imho.

  • @bryananderson3772
    @bryananderson3772 Před rokem +6

    I would like to hear how "fluent" they actually are in the languages they claim to speak

    • @SkyeAten
      @SkyeAten Před 2 měsíci +1

      Yeah that last guy with 29 ...like bro, knowing "good morning" and "good night" doesn't in a different language doesn't mean you can count it as one of the languages you speak 😂 (I'm exaggerating I'm sure he knows more basics lol) but I feel like some of these polyglots are just counting languages they are learning, and not languages they are fluent in. If it was just about languages I'm learning, then I'm suddenly a Polyglot too 🙄😂

  • @annelove-is-eternal351
    @annelove-is-eternal351 Před 7 měsíci

    Thanks for this helpful video! I've always been worrying that i am wasting my time with the wrong method. It relaxed me to hear, that writing and working with paper can do as well. I love writing down thing. I love working with paper. I'm writing by hand (not printing) and I read it while writing. (sorry for my English, I'm no native speakter^^)

  • @razorrabone4098
    @razorrabone4098 Před 2 lety +9

    Great video Olly! The takeaway point is consistency! This is the common denominator

  • @GreenT_LoR
    @GreenT_LoR Před 2 lety +7

    I actually use the same method as Wouter Corduwener introduced at 7:35 without really knowing I was doing so at the beginning.
    To learn Korean, I was using Japanese. For Slovenian, I used Russian. There are just so many similarities that make it easier (for me) to use my fundamentals from the "closer" language.
    I don't need to reinforce the associations with my native language, but using the feeling of other languages helps me reinforce both the target language and reference language at the same time. Also, I can sort of cheat my way through new grammar structures (for example, particle usage in JP and KR) simply because my fundamentals in the other language are so well laid out.
    Good luck and happy learning, everyone (^▽^)

    • @LucaPedro
      @LucaPedro Před 2 lety +3

      I don't know if this also applies, but I'm studying German and a very similar language is Dutch, do you think that after I finish German, it will be easier to learn Dutch?

    • @GreenT_LoR
      @GreenT_LoR Před 2 lety

      @@LucaPedro Sure! I don't see why not! 😊 The idea behind my method is simply pattern recognition. Study tools have to assume that the target language is your first language, so they have to explain every pattern from scratch. However, you have a head start because you've seen these pattern before, so why don't we use that to our advantage? 😃
      I should apologize for my poor explanation in my original comment. Allow me reiterate: I use the fundamentals from similar languages to train my "instinct" of the target language.
      For JP and KR, instead of relying on my EN "instinct" to train my KR "instinct", it's much faster to cut out the middle man and chunk my KR "instinct" with my JP "instinct" because there is more overlap. I'm basically copying my JP homework and writing KR in its place...I hope this is useful to you 😂
      Viel Glück (`・ω・´)ゞ

  • @WowThingsThrift
    @WowThingsThrift Před 2 lety

    Great video ✌️

  • @abyouda167
    @abyouda167 Před rokem +1

    Since joining college I've been searching what's the best method for me to learn in a very effective way, finally I think I sorted it out by learning another language and I've already learned English and I consider myself I'm fluent in English as I feel comfortable using it with when it comes to talking about any topic in English sometimes I find myself more comfortable than my mother tongue (Arabic) and I'd like to say I'm on my journey to pick up German and I've learned from my mistakes during learning English for example ( I didn't practice from day and it's so frustrated because you study and put in a lot without talking,but I can say it helped me a lot to understand the language properly on top of that nt listening is so Strong and I can understand any accent in the world even the difficult ones...btw Olly you don't know how much we gain knowledge from your podcast 😅 it's been a long time since you've upload an episode 😅

  • @VolunteerAbroadForFree

    Great video thank you

  • @multilingualjourney4576

    My observation with language learners in general, is that it matters where you come from and that you bring your uniqueness into the plate.
    Because naturally some methods will be more effective to you than others. Some apps or resources will be more appealing than others. Whereas I may not like writing in a physical journal, some people do love to study that way.
    Even for the choice of languages to learn and the motivation behind them, no two learners are the same. We all come from different walks of life, and for me it matters to take that into consideration whenever you're looking for language learning advice.

  • @vluessky
    @vluessky Před 2 lety

    I’m only 6 minutes in but I already learned so much! I saw Ikenna on the thumbnail so I clicked but I got to know all these amazing people.

  • @juantorres6012
    @juantorres6012 Před 2 lety

    My native language is spanish and I dont think my english is the best but I can tell that noticing and learning patterns can make you get used to te language and it makes you able to use it easily

  • @abigailbrookes7721
    @abigailbrookes7721 Před 2 lety +3

    I tend to talk to myself when nobody is around. When I’m learning a language, I try to talk to myself in that language.

  • @rayzella13
    @rayzella13 Před 2 lety

    This video motivated me too start back learning español

  • @LauraBCReyna
    @LauraBCReyna Před 2 lety

    I've been learning Italian casually, on & off, for ~3 yrs. My method is mostly having to do with using translated material. I watch CZcams vids with translation, use a book called "2000 Most Common Italian Words in Context.", & use Google Translate to translate online text, including ebooks. I've tried journaling but can't seem to keep it up. I'll try again bc I think it could be an effective method.
    I've spent ~$30 total on resources (not counting internet hook up)-- all books . I use a lot of free stuff on CZcams. I also use google translate quite a lot & it's also free.

  • @peterbradley4916
    @peterbradley4916 Před 2 lety

    great info.

  • @irinaspalve8356
    @irinaspalve8356 Před 2 lety +1

    I think emotional connection is the most important. I think that I hadn't have any big progress with German in my school days because I chose this additional course due to future plans to work in a factory that uses German a lot since one of the owners is from Germany.
    Apart from bad teaching, I wasn't interested enough to try to do something by myself. Also these were after school courses, so I usually was hungry and wanted to go home.
    Now I really enjoy German Uncovered course with an awesome tutor. Since I had some basic knowledge and I just love reading, it comes to me much easier, more naturally. An interesting story is a key point, that keeps me reading thinking what will be next, who is that mysterious Mann mit dem Hut...

  • @demutrudu6106
    @demutrudu6106 Před 2 lety

    Forgetting my boy Ranieri, very sad. Great video, loved it.

  • @JA-jh5gr
    @JA-jh5gr Před 2 lety

    Priceless finding your own path it's a journey that has a pot of languages. 👍

  • @thenaturalyogi5934
    @thenaturalyogi5934 Před 2 lety +47

    I've been actively learning Portuguese And Russian for a while now. But I really have to ask this question. I grew up speaking 5 languages and a lot of people from where I live do speak at least 3 to 5 depending on where they live and their family's roots, Chinese families speak 2 Chinese languages on top of the 2 official languages of the country, Spanish families could speak Spanish on top of the 2 official languages. The PH itself has 187 different langauges. I know it's the same for countries in Africa or let's say India where there are lots of languages. Isn't that more amazing that the countries or places we live in infuse us with the languages? We just grow up here it's as normal as sunrise and sunset to us.

    • @storylearning
      @storylearning  Před 2 lety +12

      Much of the world is like this, and it’s endlessly fascinating!

    • @filipino437
      @filipino437 Před 2 lety +6

      I'm filipino and i agree with your comment because I can speak 5 Philippine Languages and 6 Foreign Languages

    • @AK-fd1tb
      @AK-fd1tb Před 2 lety +4

      You are right mate, I do see that often especially in my country India everyone atleast speaks 3 languages.

    • @k.5425
      @k.5425 Před 2 lety +6

      Exactly I am Ghanaian. Speaking more than one or even 2 languages is very normal here.
      Because we have several indigenous languages plus English.

    • @manfredneilmann4305
      @manfredneilmann4305 Před 2 lety +2

      What do you mean by PH?

  • @YogaBlissDance
    @YogaBlissDance Před 2 lety +1

    TWo other polyglots Jan Van deveer (sp?) and a Brazilian polyglot that work together- also stress patterns to create a lot of language right from the start. That makes sense to me guys, as I;ve found I"m overwhelmed with "info," but how to speak...the patterns still are mixed up.
    So I had already made the decision to DRILL basic language patterns such as, "I like...." then add linking words like "but, and, because..."

  • @peterbayne7227
    @peterbayne7227 Před 2 lety +2

    He's right about emotional connection being important. I need to learn Mandarin (I work in Taiwan) but I lack an emotional connection to it and as a result I easily get bored and frustrated by it.

  • @cleanthe3276
    @cleanthe3276 Před 2 lety +3

    Different methods depending on the person but also depending on the language. I mostly learnt English thanks to series/movies and reading forums about them. German : school, Duolingo (trees and reverse trees from 2 native languages), then audiobooks and their books. I need to go back to Breton : I started the Assimil method that I really like, if I was living in the region I would study songs. There are so many songs, they're beautiful but it's not easy to find the transcript and the translation. I didn't use the same method for those languages. It's great to have the choice ! :)

    • @Aliraza10107
      @Aliraza10107 Před 2 lety

      In Duolingo, what’s the reverse tree ?

    • @cleanthe3276
      @cleanthe3276 Před 2 lety +1

      @@Aliraza10107 You choose your course reversing the native language and the target language. For example : if you're a native English speaker and you learn Spanish, you can do the Spanish tree for English speakers but you can also do the English tree for Spanish speakers. There are different vocabulary and grammar lessons but the audio will not be in your target language.

    • @Aliraza10107
      @Aliraza10107 Před 2 lety

      @@cleanthe3276 wow , nice Tipp and what will happen to my current target language progress if I do that ? Will it be right from the start ?

    • @cleanthe3276
      @cleanthe3276 Před 2 lety +1

      @@Aliraza10107 Nothing changes, you can do multiple trees at the same time :)

  • @francomug
    @francomug Před rokem

    Olly, thank you for your good advice!
    Could you please advice me a good book for learning Ukrainian?
    I always found it helpful, first to have a look at some grammar item, then to find some model sentences and after that to practice it with native speakers. But short stories may also work for me.
    My first foreign language was Russian. Thou I was learning it in school for 6 years my real success came long after with Russian speaking immigrants coming to Germany.
    The same occured with the English language when I started travelling to England.
    I begun to learn Italian with a book and an audio disk. After having learned three lessons I contacted a small school for foreigners at Siena. During the next three years I spent 8 weeks in total there. At home I continued with my book what was much easier by then. But most of the vocabulary along with the local dialect I acquired on the streets of Siena.
    I'm a native speaker of the Upper Saxon dialect with a passive competence of German :)
    Yours sincerely
    Frank

  • @jefffisher528
    @jefffisher528 Před rokem

    Ollie, I love the vlogs! Question about his one. Why is it that none of your guests speak what you refer to as easy languages to learn like Afrikaans or Norwegian?

  • @AgustePerry
    @AgustePerry Před 2 lety

    Myself here at Saga Mìn travels, I speak and write 3 languages and am working on 4th. I feel most comfortable and emotionally connected with the Germanic languages

  • @richardperez5197
    @richardperez5197 Před 2 lety +6

    Hey, great to see your videos. I've learned 3 different languages other than my mother tongue with a couple of books. After creating the foundation of my target language I start to aquire by listening and reading news and interesting things to me. I've achieved that in Cuba where everything's extremely limited without the opportunity to visit abroad and I feel pretty fluent and comfortable in my languages.

    • @murdoch1717
      @murdoch1717 Před rokem

      How is Cuba? I would like to go there to study Spanish at Havana University. Is the program there good? How much is it and how much is the cost of living there for someone from the US per month? Thanks in advance. What are the languages you have learned?

    • @kirra7406
      @kirra7406 Před rokem

      That’s fantastic!

  • @MDobri-sy1ce
    @MDobri-sy1ce Před 2 lety +1

    A lot of these things, I have been doing form the start almost. However, when, I was in high school all these CZcams videos did not exist or these resources you would have to go to a book store , buy a Living Language set, and listen, repeat, read, and write.

  • @madlad2470
    @madlad2470 Před 2 lety

    Piece of cake for me, and i do some techniques they just mentioned, and i currently speak 5 languages, and recently started with russian it's an amazing language!!!!...and i do encourage people to be Polygot it helps in many fields

  • @jasonjacob402
    @jasonjacob402 Před 3 měsíci

    Truely Appreciate 😊 everyone's way

  • @9othictoon
    @9othictoon Před rokem

    Nice content bro.