It is widely accepted that learning a language is one of the most rewarding and enriching activities one can undertake. As the world becomes more and more interconnected, the need to speak multiple languages is becoming more and more important. Learning multiple languages at once can seem daunting, and some may think that it is impossible. However, with the right strategies, commitment and dedication, it is possible to learn multiple languages at once. In this blog post, I will be providing tips and strategies for learning multiple languages at once, so that you can become a polyglot in no time!
how i *successfully* learn multiple languages at once
Why learn two languages at once?
There are two main justifications given by those who take on the challenge of learning multiple languages at once. The first is flexible thinking. Learning two languages at once stretches the mind in novel directions, promoting flexible thinking and activating the mind’s elastic learning functions. The other reason is honing language learning skills. When you learn two languages at once, as opposed to two languages sequentially, your language learning abilities change. If you decide to learn more languages in the future, you may be able to carry your dual language learning skills with you.
How to learn multiple languages at once
Here are 11 actions you can take to learn 11 different languages at once:
1. Find your motivation for learning
Find a drive that you can maintain for a long time. Maybe you always loved the sound of German. You might want to connect with relatives you have in Romania. Discover your motivations for learning a new language using self-reflection exercises. In contrast to impersonal motivation, personal motivations or passions frequently last longer.
2. Choose which languages to learn
Language experts and polyglots frequently advise being extremely picky about the two languages you simultaneously practice. Here are some options for choosing which ones to learn:
3. Stagger when you start each one
After deciding which languages to learn, you can get started. One method is staggering the two languages. Choose the first language you want to learn and push yourself to an intermediate level before adding the second language. If you already have a foundational understanding of one of the languages, it can help you maintain consistency with both.
4. Set goals for each language
Setting learning objectives is crucial when learning two languages at once, just like when learning one at a time. Having different goals for each language is often helpful. Goals for one language could be reading and writing, while goals for the other could be conversational fluency. This may help you study each language more intently. You could also decide to make one language your priority and devote more time to it than to the other.
5. Create a study plan for your time
Create a study plan and consistently work with it. The difficulty of learning multiple languages at once should be considered when creating your plan. Expect slower progress with each language and allow more time for each lesson. Choose how you split your time between your languages. If you prioritized one language, you might spend 80% of your time on it and 20% on the other. You might divide your time more evenly if you don’t have a priority language. When making your study plan, take a look at your objectives for each language.
6. Choose your learning platform
Whether you’re learning one language or five, it’s crucial to select a learning platform that suits you. There are many resources available for learning languages, such as mobile apps, podcasts, tutoring services, CD sets, and college and university courses. Try out various platforms and stick with the one or ones you like best. You could choose two and use one for each language, or you could use the same platform for both languages.
7. Work with distinct learning styles
Flashcards are one of the most widely used resources when learning a new language. Incorporating a variety of other learning methods and tools into your studies will aid in your language learning efforts and help you gain a deeper understanding of your target languages. Utilizing audio, visual, or artistic concepts can all be beneficial. To connect ideas to words in your target languages rather than just your native language, try watching recipe videos, listening to music, or creating art using your target languages.
8. Separate your study areas
Set aside specific times and locations in your study schedule for each language. By associating each language with its space, having distinct spaces for each language helps your mind keep the languages apart. You might study one language in the morning in the kitchen and another in the evening in the living room. Additionally, you can purchase a notebook, binder, and colored pen for each language.
9. Immerse yourself in the language
Immersing yourself as much as you can in your target languages is something that many linguists advise. Locate individuals who are fluent in your target languages, and communicate with them while reading, listening to music, watching movies or videos, or posting on social media in each of your languages. Making separate social media accounts for each language could improve your reading, writing, and conversational abilities. Travel to locations where there are native speakers of your target languages, if you can. You can gain real-world experience through immersive learning experiences.
10. Practice one with the other
Start practicing your target languages with one another once you have reached an intermediate level in each of them, avoiding using your native tongue at all. If you speak two languages, make bilingual flashcards or watch a movie with subtitles in one of them. This improves your ability to think fluently in your target language and strengthens your connections to ideas rather than words. You can simultaneously work on learning a subject in both languages, for example, by reading a book in each language and learning similar recipes.
11. Have fun while you learn
Having fun while learning a new language is crucial, in addition to using technical skills and consistent study techniques. You can maintain interest and motivation in your studies by incorporating excitement, entertainment, or rewards into your study system. Order food, play games, watch movies, and converse with friends who speak your languages as both entertainment and educational tools.
FAQ
Is it OK to learn multiple languages at once?
Answer: Thankfully, learning two or more languages at once is completely doable (two down, 6,998 to go). However, there are some methods you can use to simplify this linguistic task for yourself.
Is it possible to learn 4 languages at once?
A multilingual person is one who is able to speak four or more languages. Only 3% of the world’s population can speak more than four languages. Fewer than 1% of people worldwide can speak multiple languages fluently. A polyglot is a person who is fluent in more than five languages.
What is the best way to learn multiple languages at once?
- Learn Languages That Are Different. …
- Pair More and Less Familiar Languages. …
- Choose a “Priority” Language. …
- Plan How Much Time to Spend on Each Language. …
- Give the Two Languages Separate “Identities” …
- Practice Both Languages at Once by Translating Between Them.
How many languages is too many to learn at once?
Some experts believe that a person shouldn’t learn more than five languages at once, but others disagree. Those that are best learned one at a time include others. On the other hand, some people think that you should start with similar languages first if you want to learn multiple at once.
