Motivation
08Oct
8 Oct 2020
Want to Learn English? Stay Positive like Gabby of Go Natural English
This post is a transcript of a video on my YouTube channel. Studying English? Here’s the transcript as a lesson to study on LingQ. *** Steve: Hi Gabby. Gabby: Hi Steve. Steve: So, I’m very happy to have with me today Gabby of Go Natural English because very often we talk about learning […]
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29Sep
29 Sep 2020
Passive Vocabulary: Why it Matters in Language Learning
This post is a transcript of a video on my YouTube channel. Studying English? Here’s the transcript as a lesson to study on LingQ. *** Hi there, Steve here again, Steve Kaufmann to talk about language learning. Again, I remind you, if you enjoy these videos, please subscribe. You can even click […]
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08Sep
8 Sep 2020
Introverts Vs Extroverts in Language Learning
The myth is that there exists a battle in language learning: introverts vs. extroverts, and that extroverts are the better language learners. I do not believe at all that you need to be an extrovert to learn a language. Language learning comes down to the three keys: number one, attitude. You have to be interested in the language. You have to like the language. You have to believe you’re [...]
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09Jun
9 Jun 2020
How Long to Get to a Conversational Level in a Language?
Conversation implies a two-way exchange of language. Therefore, reaching a conversational level implies quite a high level of comprehension of the language so that we can understand what is being said to us. That means in order to converse properly we need to prepare ourselves.
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31Mar
31 Mar 2020
How Can You Become Fluent in a Foreign Language?
Can I become fluent in a foreign language? If your answer to this question is no, then you are best to stop trying. If you don't believe that you can reach the destination in your journey, why start? On the other hand, if you believe you can become fluent in a foreign language, you are well on your way to achieving fluency.
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17Mar
17 Mar 2020
How To Improve Your Speaking Skills
You are unlikely to learn to speak a new language perfectly, but perfection should not be your goal. Your main goal should be effective communication. I am not perfect in any of the languages that I speak, but I can communicate. And whenever I communicate in another language I'm satisfied. I also know from experience that my ability to speak and to pronounce well will only improve with time, [...]
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25Feb
25 Feb 2020
Constant Improvement in Language Learning
I have talked in the past about some of the major technical advances that have improved language learning, for example, mp3 technology. Fifty years ago I would listen to an open reel tape recorder in my room in Hong Kong when I was learning Mandarin Chinese and now my telephone has become a super […]
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26Nov
26 Nov 2019
The Definition of a Polyglot
As people who speak multiple languages, polyglots like to use those languages; we like to see how we do. But there is an element of performance. Are you better than me? Am I better than you? For some people that’s fine. I think a lot of us are very happy, in fact, when we hear somebody speak better than we do.
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12Sep
12 Sep 2019
Learning Several Languages at the Same Time – And Keeping Them
I want to talk about learning three languages at the same time or several languages at the same time. How do we keep them, how do we not forget them and what do we do when we do forget them? I finished my three months of Turkish. I went from zero to the level that […]
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10Sep
10 Sep 2019
Language Learning Is Not a Race
Today I’m going to talk about the pace — the amount of time, with what intensity we study languages and things that influence that. I’m going to start by confessing that I haven’t been doing much Arabic learning the last little while. First of all, the reason for that is I had a new floor […]
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