It’s not every day you get a glimpse inside the minds of polyglots and their secrets to mastering multiple languages.
In the video “The Secrets of Learning a New Language” on the TED channel, language enthusiast and polyglot Lydia Machová shares the different strategies employed by polyglots worldwide.
This article aims to provide an in-depth review of her talk, highlighting the key takeaways and offering practical tips for those aspiring to learn a new language.
? Make Language Learning Feel Like Play
The first and perhaps most vital point Lýdia makes is that successful language learners find joy in the learning process.
While the specific activities vary from person to person, the idea is to integrate the target language into something you love doing.
It could be reading your favorite books, watching shows, or even cooking using recipes in the language you’re learning. This not only makes the learning process enjoyable but also helps you naturally absorb the language.
To implement this tip, identify hobbies or activities you love and find ways to incorporate the new language into them.
For instance, if you love music, start by listening to songs in your target language. This will not only make learning fun but also help you understand the cultural nuances of the language.
? Why Your Way Might Be the Best Way
Lýdia shares examples of different learning strategies employed by polyglots. Benny from Ireland, for instance, learns by speaking the language from day one, while Lucas from Brazil learns through texting with native speakers.
The key takeaway here is that there is no one-size-fits-all method for language learning.
What works for one person may not work for another. This underlines the importance of finding a learning style that is enjoyable and effective for you.
To find your unique learning style, experiment with different methods. You could try language exchange meetups, online language courses, or language learning apps. The important thing is to keep trying until you find what works best for you.
? The Tools That Actually Work
Lýdia also highlights that using effective methods is critical to mastering a new language. She mentions spaced repetition for long-term memorization, using apps like Anki or Memrise, or writing lists of words in a notebook.
These methods are scientifically proven to aid in memorization, making them excellent tools for language learning.
To apply this in your language learning journey, incorporate these methods into your study routine.
You could start by downloading a language learning app and commit to using it for a certain amount of time each day. Remember, consistency is key.
? Turn Daily Life Into a Language Lab
Incorporating language practice into your daily routine is another key principle Lýdia discusses.
This could mean revising vocabulary in the morning or listening to a podcast during your commute. Having a system in place ensures that you’re consistently learning and improving.
To make this principle work for you, build language study time into your daily schedule.
Even 15 minutes a day dedicated to language learning can make a significant difference over time. Remember, the aim is to make language learning a daily habit.
?️ The (Very Underrated) Power of Patience
Learning a language is a gradual process that requires patience. As Lýdia notes, you may not become fluent in a new language in just two months, but you can make noticeable improvements if you learn in small, enjoyable chunks daily.
To practice this, set realistic expectations and celebrate small victories. Every new word or phrase you learn brings you one step closer to fluency.
Be patient with your progress and remember that even polyglots didn’t become fluent overnight.
In conclusion, the secrets to becoming a polyglot are not so much about innate talent but more about enjoying the process, finding personally effective methods, being systematic in learning, and having patience.
To get more insights and learn from the experiences of a real-life polyglot, I strongly encourage you to watch Lýdia Machová’s TED talk and subscribe to the TED channel for more inspiring content.
If you’ve previously given up on language learning, remember that you might just be one enjoyable method away from becoming a polyglot yourself.
So, why not give it another shot? If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like more tips on language learning, consider subscribing to our newsletter.
Hey fellow Linguaholics! It’s me, Marcel. I am the proud owner of linguaholic.com. Languages have always been my passion and I have studied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics and Sinology at the University of Zurich. It is my utmost pleasure to share with all of you guys what I know about languages and linguistics in general.