4 tips from polyglots to help you learn a new language

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Success in this business does not depend on innate talents, but on the right approach.

In her TED translation, Lydia Makhova, a translator and polyglot, shares the techniques that professionals use to learn foreign languages. She claims that anyone can use them.

Lydia herself knows nine languages and takes up a new one every two years. People often asked her what the secret was, but the girl could not give an exact answer. And then she decided to turn to polyglots to figure out what techniques allow them to learn languages faster than ordinary people.

1. Have fun

Lydia found out that each of the polyglots uses their own methods, but they all have one thing in common: the learning process should be interesting and enjoyable. This is one of the main ingredients for success, but others are just as important.

2. Use effective methods

The effectiveness of training largely depends on the chosen methodology. Simple cramming will not help you remember new words - they will be forgotten in a couple of days.

To preserve tokens in long-term memory, you must return to them over several days using the spaced repetition method. For example, using applications, or the "" method.

Try several options and choose the one that works best. Watch polyglot YouTube channels and use their tricks. If it helped them, then it will help you too.

3. Take a systematic approach

Regular exercise is the key to success. There is never enough free time, but planning ahead will make it easier to carve out a few minutes. For example, waking up 15 minutes earlier or using the time on the way to work.

It's important to make a plan and stick to it. Let's say practice speaking on Tuesdays and Thursdays and watching YouTube videos over breakfast.

Applying a systematic approach, you will integrate language learning into everyday life, and then you will not have to look for free time to study.

4. Be patient

As with any skill, fluency in a foreign language will take time. It is impossible to learn a language in two months, but this period will be enough to achieve tangible progress.

There is no better motivation than your own success. Lydia recalls how, after several seasons of Friends, she finally understood the first joke in German. Continuing to look further, she reached a level where she could already freely understand and express thoughts.

That's all the secrets of polyglots. To master the language perfectly, find an effective method for yourself, practice systematically, have fun and be patient.

The full lecture is available on TED.