HI,Steve. I really like your video, and as someone who has learned English as a second language, I find that your tips really speak to me, because they have worked very well for me.
There is something I would like to ask your advice on: do you think it's a good idea to learn more than one language at the same time? I am actually interested in learning Cantonese and French.
Where are you from? It kind of sounds like you have an accent and i'm trying to figure it out but it sounds like a mixture of things. I'm trying to learn German at the moment and i'm having to find better learning methods because i cant seem to find one. I am using books and CDs and a website but i feel like they aren't the best. I use livemocha which is a website that lets you learn languages for free. Do you know of any other learning tools i can use to really grasp German?
You said "I don't think engineers are good language learners..." well you see "benny the irish polyglot" is an engineer and he knows 8 languages fluently. So how is that possible, I think that not everything you say is believable, and this place had no arguments at all :)
@thomas14823 I meant that there is no relationship between a particular profession and language learning ability. I am sorry if that was not clear to you. Yes not everything I say is believable. You actually have to think and make your own decisions about what you believe and what you don't believe. You are of course quite free to express your opinions here so I do not understand your last point.
Memory is important however this should be memorising unconsciously. Allow the brain to memorise. The more you try to memorise consciously the more frustrating it is. Just absorb what you can and the brain will do the rest.
not sure, but probably you should read some papers in the subject of cognition and language learning, it would help you to further develop your trinity-concept. I speak/read/write/understand 5 languages (IT, DE, EN, ES, CH). Not sure how I would have done it without the support of my memorization system. Good luck.
@ignac27 How long does it take to learn a language? It depends on the language, how similar it is to one you already know, and it depends on what you do. It also depends on what you mean by learn. No simple answer so please stop spamming my youtube channel on this question.
I know 4 languages now. And it's very true, you do not have to memorize words,,, The main three parts that this guy talks about are the key to learn languages. :)
With all due respect, I think you need to clarify your vocabulary. Much of what you have described in your video is 'memory'. You have described the mind's ability to recall and utilize pertinent information to convey meaning, this is the heart of language and memory. Now, if you wanted to say 'rote memorization' has limited benefit to language learning, I would agree. Language is far to vast to encapsulated by one learning technique. But memory has everything to do with learning a new language.
I'm learning russian there's a big community where i live (french riviera) so i can easily find russian newspapers, magazines plus i often hear russian in the train etc... that really motivates me. i totally discovered this culture and i love it. I agree with what you say in the video. my method is to try and understand how they think, the same way i did when i learned english.
Let me just ask add, by asking, where does all the information related to language speaking is going ino and coming out of? Where else if not the memory cells?
When one speaks a foreign language the only vocabulary, words expressions and so forth that come out of one's mouth are he ones stored in memory, or at least, at a retrievable stage in memory; because there's the others that in fact exist inside our memory but we fail to recall,. Where would we e if we didn't have memory?
Hello Steve, with due respect, please, allow me to challenge you on this topic. I was extremely surprised to hear you don't see memory as an important factor. I did an experiment about 15 years ago. The results of the memry experiment were, French yo a level similar to yours in 6 months. After that my memory got so srong that I decided to take an even greatr challenge. Kanji. more than 1200 kanji, with their respective ns and kuns, the whole enchilada! The experiment was a total success!
ah, makes sense to me! cause my memory is terrible, i have alot of uhmmmm moments lol, but when i use my new vocab and also mixed with my old vocabulary while speaking, then I retain it better, making language videos help also i've noticed. but I do need to listen more, that is probably what i need to work on :/ the worst for me is memorizing chinese characters, but in time i not only recognize more but know what that character means, it just takes patience and exposure.
Hey everybody, I am a polyglot like Steve is and I am fluent in 37 languages and am almost fluent in French. Please check my profile to see what languages I speak first, then if you want any lessons of any of my languages, please reply to this comment mentioning the language you want to learn and me to teach and help you. Thanks.
That is a good point re: attitude and then exposure and then notice things because really attention is the mother of memory and so all those things help with sort of a mental or muscle memory when put in the time then reap what we sew!
i love this guy's videos. mainly because everything he says rings true to everything i have experienced whilst learning norwegian. my approach was to listen, listen, listen every day. to podkasts, to NRK tv , internet radio etc etc and i'm well happy with my progress. i haven't sat and studied one single list of words, yet i can follow and understand any programme on norwegian radio after 2 years. steve kaufmann your vids are great
Your consideration about japaneses that look all the same to us and vice-versa made me reflect a lot:this is proof of how much our habits affect our vision of the world and,somehow,even our life.
I have yet to meet a person (without a severe learning disability) who couldn't learn a language. Everyone has learned at least one of them! I believe that the two key traits required to learn ANOTHER language are motivation and patience. You simply need to take the time necessary to listen to it and read it on a regular basis, without quitting from discouragement. You will then acquire the language naturally with little effort. The capacity to learn languages is in our DNA!
In language, especially, the same word can have multiple meanings depending on the context. Moreover, different words with the SAME meaning are often only used in certain contexts (example "justice" vs. "fairness").
So it's always better to learn your vocabulary and phrases through real-life situations or, simply, through stories. That's why I advocate learning through reading as one of the most effective ways (cf. Krashen).
Interestingly, extensive reading also helps you to speak better!
2. The second very important point you make is that it's no good just learning/memorizing lists out of context. Same thing in music if you just practice scales (or kata in karate, etc.). It's all about putting it together in a meaningful way.
(I teach music also, btw, and I find it much more effective for a student to practice the "scale in the phrase" rather than the scale as an exercise in it's own right.)
However, this a woefully inefficient way to study anything. Our minds (and bodies) fall readily into PATTERNS, so it becomes far more effective to step back a bit and reflect on what you are doing, develop strategies, use stories or metaphors, etc.
This is why my approach uses picture stories and metaphors and patterns, as well as setting out various effective strategies that can be easily followed.
You make two very important points about memory in language, however.
1. To be comfortable (and eventually fluent) in a language, what you remember must become subconscious memory. I call it a kind of "muscle memory". It's very much like learning to drive as you suggest, or to dance, play a musical instrument, or a sport like karate or tennis or golf.
Most people rely on repetition (especially in something like karate or piano playing, but also in language learning).
Hi Steve, in some ways I think you are absolutely correct about memory, but you've kind of missed the point. Of course memory is important! It's the area in my research on foreign language acquisition where I've discovered the most progress can be made. Most people have never learnt HOW to remember (and schools, despite focusing on factual learning almost never teach HOW TO learn & remember either).
It wasn't until you just about finished that you said something to get me to respond. Why do you not think musicians are good language learners? As a professional musician (classical) I am surrounded by examples to the opposite. I'm curious to know what your reasons are and thank you for the video series!!
@jonquiere09 I have not seen any evidence of it. I do not think that any profession is connected with language learning. Also don't think being musical has much to do with language learning. The Japanese or the Italians are pretty musical and not very good at languages. There are other factors that are more important.
@lingosteve Agreed. However, we might be talking about a different type of "musician." Musically inclined people, I would say, have no better luck with language learning, however, musically TRAINED people do. If you spend half your life learning something, that attention to detail carries over to languages quite well (especially in the pronunciation of the language). But I'll contradict myself though, as being a musician can also make you a perfectionist. Not helpful with languages.
@lingosteve It is supposed to be because of their "musical ear", I do believe that singers and actors have special skills that help them with language learning. Those who are good at this are chess players, have you noticed that? Viswanathan Anand, current World Chess Champion thinks that as well.
As per my experience, the musicans are easy to learn languages. They are sensitive for sound, they are easy to catch the correct pronunciation. I have some examples in China.
@jonquiere09 Oh please...! He wasn't "singling musicians out" because they are particularly inefficient, when compared FOR EXAMPLE to auto mechanics or scientists. He was just pointing to the IDEA that: people who work with memory on a regular basis do not have some sort of "built in advantage" when it comes to language learning. Lighten up! Conversely, musicians and engineers do not, necessarily, need an extraordinary memory to excel at their profession.
Steve, I think it would be interesting if you gave your opinion on the Critical Age theory. For one, I agree with it, but I think it would be interesting to see serious discussion and sharing of ideas with others here.
Very interesting talk. I read a book of Gary Kasparov (he's a chess guy) and he writes, that he doesn't have a photographic memory. His memory is quite normal in his opinion.
Very interesting talk. I read a book of Gary Kasparov (he's a chess guy) and he writes, that he doesn't have a photographic memory. His memory is quite normal in his opinion.
wow i agree, thats why we focus on repetition and output, someone said people don't become good at a language but as time goes by and exposure to the language incresses what happens is that they become "used to" it.
i believe steve is right. what he is explaining is that active memory is not very important its reflextive memory, auto or whatever it is called is important. so just because you know the meaning of a word does not mean you understand it until you internalize it when you internalize it becomes reflextive and you wont need to translate it back to your self or remember it in speaking it just would flow naturally.
i believe steve is right. what he is explaining is that active memory is not very important its reflextive memory, auto or whatever it is called is important. so just because you know the meaning of a word does not mean you understand it until you internalize it when you internalize it becomes reflextive and you wont need to translate it back to your self or remember it in speaking it just would flow naturally.
I think it is, sometimes, difficult when languages are closed by example between Spanish and Portuguese) when you put a word or an expression of a language in the other one.
When a have some difficulties I can use of periphrases but it's a "bricolage".
On the other hand I don't have a memory problem with vocabulary but I am not sure of the grammar.
Is is always interesting to listen your videos.Thank you.
"He don't go" is perfectly grammatical for millions of English speakers. They just happen to speak a non-standard variety of English. It has nothing to do with memory or over-analogizing. Their grammatical system is simply different. Besides that point, I agree with the general point you're making.
Thanks Steve, this was really useful. I appreciate you breaking it down to three simple points. I have been thinking about it a lot today. I plan to increase my time on task, relax, and let it all happen. Cheers.
Great video and topic. I think speaking in whatever language is kinda like soloing with an instrument. You dont really think about it, you just do it. So I think it is all about the feel, maybe even somekind of emotional memory.
Great video and topic. I think speaking in whatever language is kinda like soloing with an instrument. You dont really think about it, you just do it. So I think it is all about the feel, maybe even somekind of emotional memory.
Hi Steve. What I realised is that sometimes, when I take a break of one week or two about learning the language, then I notice things than I didn't notice before in the daily basis learning.
Entonces, ¿qué es su opinión sobre recordar símbolos de chino? No es muy natural que el humano normal tenga la habilidad de recordarlos con el mismo nivel como recordar como hablarlos. Esto es mi propio problema. Yo he estudiado un poco de chino y puedo recordar como se dice Usted (nin2) pero casi cada vez se me olvida como escribirlo (您). ¿Tiene consejos para mí?
@PokemonSpriteService Tambien yo podria decir algo sobre este tema - estoy ahora mismo aprendiendo espanol y chino, en lo mismo tiempo. Pero, en mi experiencia, el aprender de los simbolos es el parte del trabajo mas duro, y en particular, el escribir de los simbolos es lo mas dificil. Lo mas de veces, yo solo intento de reconocer los simbolos, pero lo que he encontrado de hecho es que el escribir es importante, pero es algo que es mejor si no intentas tan duro de hacer. Lo viene a ti con tiempo
Me parece que la llave cual te ayudaria lo mas con el escribir es practicar el escribir, pero solo un poco en los niveles mas basicos. Si intentas de reconocer muchos simbolos, verlos con frecuencia, y verlos en condiciones differentes, lugares differentes, y ves los partes de cada simbolo en otros simbolos, entonces sera mucho mas facil y agradable de escribirlos. Me parece que si quieres aprender como escriben, tu tienes que ver el todo del sistema, para obtener un idea mas util.
I'm a native english speaker and pay no attention to grammar in english. I find my brain remembers on its own terms but more easily when im genuinely interested in good content
Being an average student I always wondered how I managed to learn Korean. After watching your video it makes a lot of sense. After all when some people suffer from certain degrees of memory loss they're still able to communicate..
I believe memory does play a role, because it stores information about the language, what do you think of Daniel Tammet for example? I agree however that trying to memorize phrases by force rather than trying to notice what is happening in the language does not work well.
I don't think the appropriate word for this is *memory* it sounds as if a language is just something u study for to forget later. I think *knowing* is alot more important. Also, umm is it Oscar Pellu? I had a conversation with him as well. Btw that's a bad assumption that musicians are bad language learners... I'm a musician and i do very very well in my language classes. Music is more about muscle memory not brain memory.
I would disagree that memory isn't as important as you make it out to be. I would argue that memory is the basis for how language is acquired. Take the word "apple" in English. How is it that one can understand what that means? All of the memories of what an apple feels, smells and looks like are actual memories that you have. That English word is linked directly to that concept that is stored as a memory. Without memory you have no way to associate language with concepts in the real world.
@bluzytrix I agree. I think Steve is understating the importance of memory, and I have grave difficulties believing this "study" he refers to. I am learning Korean right now, and let me tell you if you give me 30 words I do not know then there is NO WAY I will be able to understand the text (I'm a beginner). However, if you give me these 30 words and give me a day to study them, then, yes, I'll be able to understand. Memory is the KEY to learning. The real question is how memory works best.
I disagree with this. That is not the observations, but the interpretation of the observations when it comes to memory. Memory is the most critical matter in language learning, but UNCONSCIOUS long term memory, and not forced short term memory that tries to learn by rote. That also accounts for the experiment you cite, as well as the failure of schools to teach languages.
This is why I don't really care for phrase books. Trying to memorize a phrase makes me feel that I'm not actually trying to LEARN the language. When I see words I don't know I don't like to use the dictionary because maybe if I see it again and again I'll find out what it means and remember the meaning instead of looking in the dictionary the first time I see it and forget it next time I come across the word again.
very well said, after watching ALL of your videos, i think your approach makes a lot more sense than most others that i have found.
However, i do see some occasional exceptions like Daniel Tammet. And In fact, I did see your video review on his book "embrace the sky", so I would say that memory does take its place, perhaps unconsciously.
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HI,Steve. I really like your video, and as someone who has learned English as a second language, I find that your tips really speak to me, because they have worked very well for me.
There is something I would like to ask your advice on: do you think it's a good idea to learn more than one language at the same time? I am actually interested in learning Cantonese and French.
LilJellyS 2 weeks ago
Comment removed
LilJellyS 2 weeks ago
Where are you from? It kind of sounds like you have an accent and i'm trying to figure it out but it sounds like a mixture of things. I'm trying to learn German at the moment and i'm having to find better learning methods because i cant seem to find one. I am using books and CDs and a website but i feel like they aren't the best. I use livemocha which is a website that lets you learn languages for free. Do you know of any other learning tools i can use to really grasp German?
tricksterxbaby 2 weeks ago
You said "I don't think engineers are good language learners..." well you see "benny the irish polyglot" is an engineer and he knows 8 languages fluently. So how is that possible, I think that not everything you say is believable, and this place had no arguments at all :)
thomas14823 1 month ago
@thomas14823 I meant that there is no relationship between a particular profession and language learning ability. I am sorry if that was not clear to you. Yes not everything I say is believable. You actually have to think and make your own decisions about what you believe and what you don't believe. You are of course quite free to express your opinions here so I do not understand your last point.
lingosteve 1 month ago
Thanks for sharing your experience man...
sebasheredia 2 months ago
Memory is important however this should be memorising unconsciously. Allow the brain to memorise. The more you try to memorise consciously the more frustrating it is. Just absorb what you can and the brain will do the rest.
xtopherslade 5 months ago
@xtopherslade That has been my experience.
lingosteve 5 months ago
not sure, but probably you should read some papers in the subject of cognition and language learning, it would help you to further develop your trinity-concept. I speak/read/write/understand 5 languages (IT, DE, EN, ES, CH). Not sure how I would have done it without the support of my memorization system. Good luck.
MsMAndrich 5 months ago
hozzáállás idő feladat figyelem!!attitude time on task attentiveness! This is right!
TheMartikaa 7 months ago
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Entschuldigung ich habe zu spät bemerket das meine Frage beantwortet war!Danke ignac27
TheMartikaa 7 months ago
Entschuldigung ich habe zu spät bemerket das meine Frage beantwortet war!Danke ignac27
TheMartikaa 7 months ago
Wie lange brauchst du eine Sprache zu erlernen!1 2 oder3 Jahre!????
ignac27 8 months ago
@ignac27 How long does it take to learn a language? It depends on the language, how similar it is to one you already know, and it depends on what you do. It also depends on what you mean by learn. No simple answer so please stop spamming my youtube channel on this question.
lingosteve 8 months ago
Excelente!!
I know 4 languages now. And it's very true, you do not have to memorize words,,, The main three parts that this guy talks about are the key to learn languages. :)
diego39074 9 months ago
With all due respect, I think you need to clarify your vocabulary. Much of what you have described in your video is 'memory'. You have described the mind's ability to recall and utilize pertinent information to convey meaning, this is the heart of language and memory. Now, if you wanted to say 'rote memorization' has limited benefit to language learning, I would agree. Language is far to vast to encapsulated by one learning technique. But memory has everything to do with learning a new language.
MrSnackerchip 11 months ago
I'm learning russian there's a big community where i live (french riviera) so i can easily find russian newspapers, magazines plus i often hear russian in the train etc... that really motivates me. i totally discovered this culture and i love it. I agree with what you say in the video. my method is to try and understand how they think, the same way i did when i learned english.
metiube 1 year ago
Let me just ask add, by asking, where does all the information related to language speaking is going ino and coming out of? Where else if not the memory cells?
When one speaks a foreign language the only vocabulary, words expressions and so forth that come out of one's mouth are he ones stored in memory, or at least, at a retrievable stage in memory; because there's the others that in fact exist inside our memory but we fail to recall,. Where would we e if we didn't have memory?
TutorialesBilingues 1 year ago
Hello Steve, with due respect, please, allow me to challenge you on this topic. I was extremely surprised to hear you don't see memory as an important factor. I did an experiment about 15 years ago. The results of the memry experiment were, French yo a level similar to yours in 6 months. After that my memory got so srong that I decided to take an even greatr challenge. Kanji. more than 1200 kanji, with their respective ns and kuns, the whole enchilada! The experiment was a total success!
TutorialesBilingues 1 year ago
ah, makes sense to me! cause my memory is terrible, i have alot of uhmmmm moments lol, but when i use my new vocab and also mixed with my old vocabulary while speaking, then I retain it better, making language videos help also i've noticed. but I do need to listen more, that is probably what i need to work on :/ the worst for me is memorizing chinese characters, but in time i not only recognize more but know what that character means, it just takes patience and exposure.
MegaBlackAngel01 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hey everybody, I am a polyglot like Steve is and I am fluent in 37 languages and am almost fluent in French. Please check my profile to see what languages I speak first, then if you want any lessons of any of my languages, please reply to this comment mentioning the language you want to learn and me to teach and help you. Thanks.
Chezrocksall 1 year ago
That is a good point re: attitude and then exposure and then notice things because really attention is the mother of memory and so all those things help with sort of a mental or muscle memory when put in the time then reap what we sew!
silverfoxidm 1 year ago
i love this guy's videos. mainly because everything he says rings true to everything i have experienced whilst learning norwegian. my approach was to listen, listen, listen every day. to podkasts, to NRK tv , internet radio etc etc and i'm well happy with my progress. i haven't sat and studied one single list of words, yet i can follow and understand any programme on norwegian radio after 2 years. steve kaufmann your vids are great
tiddler111 1 year ago
Very interesting video,as usual btw.
Your consideration about japaneses that look all the same to us and vice-versa made me reflect a lot:this is proof of how much our habits affect our vision of the world and,somehow,even our life.
Albesa81 1 year ago
I have yet to meet a person (without a severe learning disability) who couldn't learn a language. Everyone has learned at least one of them! I believe that the two key traits required to learn ANOTHER language are motivation and patience. You simply need to take the time necessary to listen to it and read it on a regular basis, without quitting from discouragement. You will then acquire the language naturally with little effort. The capacity to learn languages is in our DNA!
paladin1000 1 year ago
In language, especially, the same word can have multiple meanings depending on the context. Moreover, different words with the SAME meaning are often only used in certain contexts (example "justice" vs. "fairness").
So it's always better to learn your vocabulary and phrases through real-life situations or, simply, through stories. That's why I advocate learning through reading as one of the most effective ways (cf. Krashen).
Interestingly, extensive reading also helps you to speak better!
RapidLL 1 year ago
2. The second very important point you make is that it's no good just learning/memorizing lists out of context. Same thing in music if you just practice scales (or kata in karate, etc.). It's all about putting it together in a meaningful way.
(I teach music also, btw, and I find it much more effective for a student to practice the "scale in the phrase" rather than the scale as an exercise in it's own right.)
(tbc)...
RapidLL 1 year ago
However, this a woefully inefficient way to study anything. Our minds (and bodies) fall readily into PATTERNS, so it becomes far more effective to step back a bit and reflect on what you are doing, develop strategies, use stories or metaphors, etc.
This is why my approach uses picture stories and metaphors and patterns, as well as setting out various effective strategies that can be easily followed.
(tbc)...
RapidLL 1 year ago
You make two very important points about memory in language, however.
1. To be comfortable (and eventually fluent) in a language, what you remember must become subconscious memory. I call it a kind of "muscle memory". It's very much like learning to drive as you suggest, or to dance, play a musical instrument, or a sport like karate or tennis or golf.
Most people rely on repetition (especially in something like karate or piano playing, but also in language learning).
(tbc)...
RapidLL 1 year ago
Hi Steve, in some ways I think you are absolutely correct about memory, but you've kind of missed the point. Of course memory is important! It's the area in my research on foreign language acquisition where I've discovered the most progress can be made. Most people have never learnt HOW to remember (and schools, despite focusing on factual learning almost never teach HOW TO learn & remember either).
(to be continued)...
RapidLL 1 year ago
It wasn't until you just about finished that you said something to get me to respond. Why do you not think musicians are good language learners? As a professional musician (classical) I am surrounded by examples to the opposite. I'm curious to know what your reasons are and thank you for the video series!!
jonquiere09 1 year ago
@jonquiere09 I have not seen any evidence of it. I do not think that any profession is connected with language learning. Also don't think being musical has much to do with language learning. The Japanese or the Italians are pretty musical and not very good at languages. There are other factors that are more important.
lingosteve 1 year ago
@lingosteve Agreed. However, we might be talking about a different type of "musician." Musically inclined people, I would say, have no better luck with language learning, however, musically TRAINED people do. If you spend half your life learning something, that attention to detail carries over to languages quite well (especially in the pronunciation of the language). But I'll contradict myself though, as being a musician can also make you a perfectionist. Not helpful with languages.
jonquiere09 1 year ago
@lingosteve It is supposed to be because of their "musical ear", I do believe that singers and actors have special skills that help them with language learning. Those who are good at this are chess players, have you noticed that? Viswanathan Anand, current World Chess Champion thinks that as well.
Jate0000 1 year ago
@lingosteve
As per my experience, the musicans are easy to learn languages. They are sensitive for sound, they are easy to catch the correct pronunciation. I have some examples in China.
evawei 9 months ago
@lingosteve
Thanks for sharing your language learning experience here! :)
You help me a lot!
evawei 9 months ago
@jonquiere09 Oh please...! He wasn't "singling musicians out" because they are particularly inefficient, when compared FOR EXAMPLE to auto mechanics or scientists. He was just pointing to the IDEA that: people who work with memory on a regular basis do not have some sort of "built in advantage" when it comes to language learning. Lighten up! Conversely, musicians and engineers do not, necessarily, need an extraordinary memory to excel at their profession.
MonotheistDoucheBag 1 year ago
@jonquiere09 Paradoxically, having a very good memory certainly cannot hurt the situation, and in my opinion is an asset regardless of the subject.
MonotheistDoucheBag 1 year ago
Steve, I think it would be interesting if you gave your opinion on the Critical Age theory. For one, I agree with it, but I think it would be interesting to see serious discussion and sharing of ideas with others here.
77AdHominem 1 year ago
Very interesting talk. I read a book of Gary Kasparov (he's a chess guy) and he writes, that he doesn't have a photographic memory. His memory is quite normal in his opinion.
akagintaras 1 year ago
Very interesting talk. I read a book of Gary Kasparov (he's a chess guy) and he writes, that he doesn't have a photographic memory. His memory is quite normal in his opinion.
akagintaras 1 year ago
Did you ever learn Macedonian?
drushtvo 1 year ago
@drushtvo no
lingosteve 1 year ago
wow i agree, thats why we focus on repetition and output, someone said people don't become good at a language but as time goes by and exposure to the language incresses what happens is that they become "used to" it.
ichimaru378 1 year ago
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i believe steve is right. what he is explaining is that active memory is not very important its reflextive memory, auto or whatever it is called is important. so just because you know the meaning of a word does not mean you understand it until you internalize it when you internalize it becomes reflextive and you wont need to translate it back to your self or remember it in speaking it just would flow naturally.
charmides1 1 year ago
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i believe steve is right. what he is explaining is that active memory is not very important its reflextive memory, auto or whatever it is called is important. so just because you know the meaning of a word does not mean you understand it until you internalize it when you internalize it becomes reflextive and you wont need to translate it back to your self or remember it in speaking it just would flow naturally.
charmides1 1 year ago
Comment removed
charmides1 1 year ago
I think it is, sometimes, difficult when languages are closed by example between Spanish and Portuguese) when you put a word or an expression of a language in the other one.
When a have some difficulties I can use of periphrases but it's a "bricolage".
On the other hand I don't have a memory problem with vocabulary but I am not sure of the grammar.
Is is always interesting to listen your videos.Thank you.
teddythefrency 1 year ago
"He don't go" is perfectly grammatical for millions of English speakers. They just happen to speak a non-standard variety of English. It has nothing to do with memory or over-analogizing. Their grammatical system is simply different. Besides that point, I agree with the general point you're making.
madaozeki 1 year ago
Thanks Steve, this was really useful. I appreciate you breaking it down to three simple points. I have been thinking about it a lot today. I plan to increase my time on task, relax, and let it all happen. Cheers.
Wakako77 1 year ago
Great video and topic. I think speaking in whatever language is kinda like soloing with an instrument. You dont really think about it, you just do it. So I think it is all about the feel, maybe even somekind of emotional memory.
Cheers
u2bealot 1 year ago
Great video and topic. I think speaking in whatever language is kinda like soloing with an instrument. You dont really think about it, you just do it. So I think it is all about the feel, maybe even somekind of emotional memory.
Cheers
u2bealot 1 year ago
Hi Steve. What I realised is that sometimes, when I take a break of one week or two about learning the language, then I notice things than I didn't notice before in the daily basis learning.
OscarP282 1 year ago
I think the ability to memorize things is an ofrshoot of the ability to stay attentive
RysioACF 1 year ago
Steve - great insight as always!
LearningFrenchNow 1 year ago
I remember the first time I heard about English conjugation, I was in third grade I think: "he/she/it goes with DOES", I never forgot it :)
Jate0000 1 year ago
Entonces, ¿qué es su opinión sobre recordar símbolos de chino? No es muy natural que el humano normal tenga la habilidad de recordarlos con el mismo nivel como recordar como hablarlos. Esto es mi propio problema. Yo he estudiado un poco de chino y puedo recordar como se dice Usted (nin2) pero casi cada vez se me olvida como escribirlo (您). ¿Tiene consejos para mí?
PokemonSpriteService 1 year ago
@PokemonSpriteService Aprender los simbolos del idioma cuesta mucho trabajo. Cada uno debe buscar su propio camino. El sistema Heisig puede ayudar.
lingosteve 1 year ago
@PokemonSpriteService Tambien yo podria decir algo sobre este tema - estoy ahora mismo aprendiendo espanol y chino, en lo mismo tiempo. Pero, en mi experiencia, el aprender de los simbolos es el parte del trabajo mas duro, y en particular, el escribir de los simbolos es lo mas dificil. Lo mas de veces, yo solo intento de reconocer los simbolos, pero lo que he encontrado de hecho es que el escribir es importante, pero es algo que es mejor si no intentas tan duro de hacer. Lo viene a ti con tiempo
superdog797 1 year ago
Me parece que la llave cual te ayudaria lo mas con el escribir es practicar el escribir, pero solo un poco en los niveles mas basicos. Si intentas de reconocer muchos simbolos, verlos con frecuencia, y verlos en condiciones differentes, lugares differentes, y ves los partes de cada simbolo en otros simbolos, entonces sera mucho mas facil y agradable de escribirlos. Me parece que si quieres aprender como escriben, tu tienes que ver el todo del sistema, para obtener un idea mas util.
superdog797 1 year ago
I'm a native english speaker and pay no attention to grammar in english. I find my brain remembers on its own terms but more easily when im genuinely interested in good content
daysin1234 1 year ago
Being an average student I always wondered how I managed to learn Korean. After watching your video it makes a lot of sense. After all when some people suffer from certain degrees of memory loss they're still able to communicate..
mmhmmrachel91 1 year ago
I'ma musician and I am fine with learning languages :o
AkaoKiyotsu 1 year ago
@AkaoKiyotsu I am not saying musicians cannot be language learners, it is just that I do not think we need to be musical to learn languages.
lingosteve 1 year ago
@lingosteve Ah, my mistake.
AkaoKiyotsu 1 year ago
I believe memory does play a role, because it stores information about the language, what do you think of Daniel Tammet for example? I agree however that trying to memorize phrases by force rather than trying to notice what is happening in the language does not work well.
Lamberian 1 year ago
I don't think the appropriate word for this is *memory* it sounds as if a language is just something u study for to forget later. I think *knowing* is alot more important. Also, umm is it Oscar Pellu? I had a conversation with him as well. Btw that's a bad assumption that musicians are bad language learners... I'm a musician and i do very very well in my language classes. Music is more about muscle memory not brain memory.
coolsteven2 1 year ago
Great video, this can be applied to many areas of studying.
OAG3K 1 year ago
I would disagree that memory isn't as important as you make it out to be. I would argue that memory is the basis for how language is acquired. Take the word "apple" in English. How is it that one can understand what that means? All of the memories of what an apple feels, smells and looks like are actual memories that you have. That English word is linked directly to that concept that is stored as a memory. Without memory you have no way to associate language with concepts in the real world.
bluzytrix 1 year ago
Comment removed
charmides1 1 year ago
@bluzytrix I agree. I think Steve is understating the importance of memory, and I have grave difficulties believing this "study" he refers to. I am learning Korean right now, and let me tell you if you give me 30 words I do not know then there is NO WAY I will be able to understand the text (I'm a beginner). However, if you give me these 30 words and give me a day to study them, then, yes, I'll be able to understand. Memory is the KEY to learning. The real question is how memory works best.
rfwelsh 1 year ago
I disagree with this. That is not the observations, but the interpretation of the observations when it comes to memory. Memory is the most critical matter in language learning, but UNCONSCIOUS long term memory, and not forced short term memory that tries to learn by rote. That also accounts for the experiment you cite, as well as the failure of schools to teach languages.
usenetposts 1 year ago 2
This is why I don't really care for phrase books. Trying to memorize a phrase makes me feel that I'm not actually trying to LEARN the language. When I see words I don't know I don't like to use the dictionary because maybe if I see it again and again I'll find out what it means and remember the meaning instead of looking in the dictionary the first time I see it and forget it next time I come across the word again.
WaterFor3st 1 year ago
I suppose I should argue with you one of these days, since it seems a little boring to keep agreeing with you, but not today :o)
sentence mining + SRS = saviour :o)
acromel 1 year ago
thanks for your expertise
very well said, after watching ALL of your videos, i think your approach makes a lot more sense than most others that i have found.
However, i do see some occasional exceptions like Daniel Tammet. And In fact, I did see your video review on his book "embrace the sky", so I would say that memory does take its place, perhaps unconsciously.
entaroduai 1 year ago
I agree 100%, its getting used to it, and formulating patterns. not necessarily memorizing things.
thats the experience I had with Mandarin Chinese, strange at first, but then I got used to it and was able to distinguish words and phrases.
Codylangaugesblog 1 year ago
First ^^
Steve you're the greatest!
ViktorColling 1 year ago
@ViktorColling だよね （笑）
Great job on those lessons by the way. Love them.
止めるんじゃねよ!
おお、ちょっと遣り過ぎでしょ。 先生、ごめんね （笑）。
acromel 1 year ago