Is it worth learning two foreign languages at the same time?

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

The polyglot tells how to do it correctly and what mistakes should be avoided.

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Is it effective to learn two languages at the same time?

Elmurza Jyrgalbekov

Many people believe that you cannot learn two foreign languages at the same time, otherwise there will be chaos and confusion in your head. But this is not the case.

Why is it worth studying several foreign languages in parallel

Learning even one language improves cognitive ability. And the research Simultaneous Learning of Two Foreign Languages, English and French, by Adult Persian-Speaking Learners, my experience of learning six foreign languages and the experience of my students shows that with the right strategy, simultaneous learning of two or more languages is not only possible, but also helps in other areas of life. This task sets a new level of complexity for the brain, increases and develops its plasticity. Neuroplasticity as a function of second language learning: Anatomical changes in the human brain, the ability to memorize and increases the speed of decision-making.

How to learn languages correctly

Indeed, at the initial stage, you will confuse words and constructions from different languages. But, firstly, this period does not last long and ends with the advent of experience. Secondly, at first everyone makes a lot of mistakes, and no one expects you to miss them. So allow yourself to be wrong and be humorous about it. Here are some tips to help you learn multiple languages in parallel.

1. Decide which language will be primary and which will be secondary. And take a short break before starting to learn a secondary language - for example, three months. This way you can hone your strategy, avoid confusion at the start and not burn out.
2. Examine the sources. Watch YouTube videos, read articles, and visit forums that are dedicated to learning your target language. This will help you get a general understanding of it, as well as find channels, books, schools or marathons that are right for you.
3. Calculate resources. This is time, money, energy. You are starting a new project that will definitely require changes in your schedule and lifestyle.
4. Create a supportive environment. The more people around you who speak or learn the same languages, the faster you build neural maps of these languages in your brain.
5. Use the language from day one. Many people think that first you need to lay the foundation of the language, and only then communicate with foreigners. The foundation is needed, but do not stretch its laying for weeks, and even more so for months and years. It takes no more than a week to learn the base, sufficient for the first communication with a native speaker. The sooner you start to apply knowledge, the faster you will feel joy and freedom in communication.
6. Surround yourself with more information in new languages. The brain is a powerful computing machine that can decode, organize, and apply new language codes. But he needs your help - give as much of this new code as possible. Watch TV shows, listen to songs, read books and bloggers' speeches in a new language. And also change the language of the phone to the language you are studying and find a foreigner to keep up friendly correspondence with him.
7. Include the strategy of The Astounding Effectiveness of Dual Language Education for All “Learn Through Language”. Cook with chefs on YouTube in one language and play online games in another. Start doing this as soon as you feel that you have mastered the minimum language knowledge.

How not to learn languages

These things make learning difficult and slower.

1. Start learning two languages from scratch at the same time, if you do not have experience in learning foreign languages yet.
2. Learn two similar languages at the same level. For example, learning Spanish and Portuguese / Italian at the same time will stretch out a period of vocabulary confusion and can negatively impact learning pleasure and motivation.
3. Learn new words using flashcards and not apply them. One of the main rules of the brain is "Use it or lose it!" ("Use it or lose it!"). So that new words do not disappear from your head the next day, you need to meet them in context several times. Just cramming words is a waste of time and can kill your motivation: "I've spent so many weeks on words and still don't know the language."

And if you want some inspiration, watch the multi-polyglots videos on YouTube. Someone, getting excited and understanding the principle of learning any foreign language, begins to learn several at once, and someone takes on a new one every few months.

Every year there are more and more such people, and these are not only young talented guys, but also those who are carried away by learning languages at an advanced age. In addition, now there is enough information in the public domain for everyone to become a polyglot on their own. So I wish you the best of luck with your learning!