Steve Kaufmann on learning languages

Steve Kaufmann, CEO and founder of Lingq.com, is a lifelong language learner who now speaks 11 languages. He is a proponent of natural and enjoyable language learning. You can find his blog at www.thelinguist.blogs.com

Tips on learning English: http://www.howtolearnenglishtips.com/

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• language
• learning
• brain
• fitness
• foreign
• english
• french
• languages
• polyglot
• speak
• listen

[MrEuropean18]

I'm sorry, I DO NOT believe a man can speak more than 4 langauges fluently. You tend to forget them when you age, you mix them up alot of the times, and you will always be able to speak the 2 first languages rather then the 2 others.

I'ts a fact that after you're 20 its far more diffeicult (but not impossible) to learn another forgien langauge,so you're talking about learning 6-7 more?! It's impossible,and considering youre a working man when do you get the time? that's a nice dream though.

[lingosteve]

@MrEuropean18I have learned most of my languages after the age of 20, and part time, while working. This includes Chinese, Japanese and Russian and 5 or 6 others. I have no trouble switching back and forth. What you are saying is just a lot of conventional wisdom not based on fact. It all depends on how we learn and how motivated we are.

[lingosteve]

Respond to this video Please listen to a video that I did where I speak ten languages called "Multilingualism - in answer to Mr.Sanchez."

[Mindpetals]

Thanks for this!

[lingosteve]

@Mindpetals Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the pat on the back.

[halfstepdown88]

I'm currently learning Spanish. I'm almost done with Pimsleur Spanish Disc 2. Eventually I'm going to learn Mandarin Chinese.

So besides from doing Pimsleur, (which I feel has helped me learn quite a bit) what would you suggest? I'm going to Chile this summer for 5 weeks on a Study Abroad with the University, but I feel like I could do something to further enhance my learning.

What are the "pleasant" ways in which you are learning languages?

[lingosteve]

I am into lots of input with only the target language. Lots of listening and reading. Essentially what is built into LingQ. Take advantage of the content that you can find there. I find that a very little amount of output is enough at first. Build up your vocabulary and ability to understand. You will get a lot of output in Chile. Build up your passive ability now, and you will take off when you get to Chile.

[leopower7]

nine fluent languages? that's amazing! i can only speak 3 :/

[clarinini]

Have you already made a video about the way you learned Japanese? If not, please make one! I know the same language learning principles apply to every language, but... how did you deal with the Japanese script vs. spoken language?

[SaBracaSam]

I speak English. Говорю по-Русски. Ich spreche Deutsch. Govorim Hrvatski. Und du, Steve? :D

[MrHmoob17]

i want to learn languages for the rest of my life too. i only speak two. and am in french class in high school now. and yeah it sucks learning it in class. but i really want to learn languages though so much.

[Bonnenouvellesjonny]

Two friends, Pessy and Opty both aged 21 are talking about languages. They both only speak English and decide to take French lessons. After a month Pessy gives up,

"Look man, you need to learn that shit when your young, after 20 your capacity to learn new languages just dies."

But Opty continues to learn French. A little over two years later Pessy and Opty go on holiday to France. Pessy watches on clueless as Opty easily and confidently converses in French with many new and wonderful people.

[bnrshdydvdrtrk]

No one can learn a foreign language. I've tried, and it's impossible!

[Grey13Human]

@MrEuropean18 There are people who know dozens of languages.

[Sillilesshells]

urgh so annoyed that i was only bought up learning english, i have been studying russian for 5 months and i really fucking enjoy it. i can't wait till i can speak it as fluently as i can. urgh i feel stupid just speaking english, i wish i could do like 4 . my sister is learning japanese , shes been doing it for a year :) xxx it does really make a difference to have a passion for languages. you have to actually. it means when you study it won't be a chore :).

[MrEuropean18]

@lingosteve

This sounds completly unreal.

The human brain can contain langauges,but to a limit.

You are aware that speaking FLUENTLY so many languages makes you a very special person? like,very.

We only use 25% of our brain skills,this means your brain is WAY more devloped,maybe they should make a research on you.

I find it hard to believe one can speak so many langauges fluently,sorry,until I will be proven otherwise.