Learning Techniques
30Jan
30 Jan 2018
How to Learn Any Language Effortlessly
When I wrote my book The Linguist: A Personal Guide to Language Learning, I began with what I called ‘The Parable of the Crooked Tree’. The author of the parable was Zhuangzi, an early exponent of Taoism, a school of Chinese philosophy from over 2,000 years ago. I referred to Taoism on a number of occasions in my book. Zhuangzi’s basic principle in life was to follow what was natural, what [...]
Read more How to Learn Any Language Effortlessly02Jan
2 Jan 2018
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.
Read more How Can You Become Fluent in a Foreign Language?22Aug
22 Aug 2017
How to Learn Any Language: 7 Tips for Staying on Task
We live in the golden age of language learning. The Internet brings us an unprecedented cornucopia of language learning resources, tools, communities, exchange websites and more. We can buy audiobooks, ebooks, access online newspapers and magazines in the language of our choice. We can follow these resources on our iPhones and iPads, and have them […]
Read more How to Learn Any Language: 7 Tips for Staying on Task09Aug
9 Aug 2017
Inspiring Words: Find Your Language Learning Motivation
Sometimes I wonder if I am just spinning my wheels writing and doing videos about language learning. Maybe I am beginning to sound like a broken record. And then there are moments that make it all worthwhile. This was in response to a Tweet from Roman Waschuk, the Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine. I immediately remembered […]
Read more Inspiring Words: Find Your Language Learning Motivation05Jun
5 Jun 2017
Even Polyglots Forget, It’s an Important Part of the Learning Process
I have been attending the polyglot gathering in Bratislava, Slovakia. The event is an amazing get together of language enthusiasts from all over Europe, and some from further away such as me. We are encouraged to carry large name tags on which we put the flags of the countries of the languages we speak. It’s […]
Read more Even Polyglots Forget, It’s an Important Part of the Learning Process29May
29 May 2017
Starting My Slavic Languages Month
Heureux qui, comme Ulysse, a fait un beau voyage, Ou comme cestuy-là qui conquit la toison, Et puis est retourné, plein d’usage et raison, Vivre entre ses parents le reste de son âge! Quand reverrai-je, hélas, de mon petit village Fumer la cheminée, et en quelle saison Reverrai-je le clos de ma pauvre maison, […]
Read more Starting My Slavic Languages Month12May
12 May 2017
Getting Back Into Korean with New Comprehensible Input: A Netflix Drama!
Meaningful content, compelling content, comprehensible input, these are terms that we often hear from people talking about language learning. Stephen Krashen points out that we learn languages when we receive messages that are important to us, that have meaning. These messages should be of interest and yet not too difficult. As we read and listen […]
Read more Getting Back Into Korean with New Comprehensible Input: A Netflix Drama!22Feb
22 Feb 2017
Finding the Time to Learn a Language
“I just don’t have time.” This is one of the most common reasons people give for not being able to learn languages. I am now retired, but I am still quite busy. I play sports, make time for my family and I have a number of tasks that I perform as part of LingQ. They […]
Read more Finding the Time to Learn a Language01Jan
1 Jan 2017
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Language Learners
In Stephen Covey’s famous book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People he gives advice for people in many aspects of their lives: advice for managers, for business people and for people generally. His advice can also be applied to language learners, and here’s how.
Read more The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Language Learners20Nov
20 Nov 2016
Having Language Difficulties? It’s Time to Believe in Yourself
Many of you have heard me say before that the three keys to language learning are motivation, the time you spend with the language and your ability to notice what’s happening in the language. Some language learners aren’t motivated, so they don’t spend the time or develop the ability to notice and they don’t learn. That’s to be expected. But there are many people who are motivated, who do [...]
Read more Having Language Difficulties? It’s Time to Believe in Yourself