Lýdia Machová - Ten things polyglots do differently [EN] - PG 2017

There seems to be a gap between the way polyglots learn languages and the way they are taught in most language courses. Why is that? And what exactly makes polyglots’ ways of learning languages different?

Want more tips on learning like a polyglot? Then visit:
📸 Lýdia's Instagram @languagementoring to get motivation for your learning

[mgspunk]

1.Polyglots don't have a special talent! 15:07
2.Every polyglot has their own method 16:34
3.Polyglots learn languages mostly by themselves 17:08
4.Polyglots create their own language material 18:31
5.Polyglots learn one language at a time 19:12
6.Polyglots spend much more time listening and speaking 20:32
7.Polyglots are not afraid to make mistakes 23:12
8.Polyglots have mastered the art of simplification 24:50
9.Polyglots learn in small chunks 26:20
10.Polyglots enjoy learning languages 27:10

[diegoferreira]

Every time when I feel tired of learning another language, I try to watch polyglots. And I get energy and I change the way I am learning. It's work. Thanks for sharing.

[syedalifahadzaidi]

Not just language, if you want to learn anything you cannot depend on a tutor or a class. Ones dedication to the learning is what matters most.

[StalkAlexHere]

My biggest key to learning a language is to find a way to communicate an idea with the vocabulary you have.... even if it is not how you “properly say something”, the key is simply finding a way to express your feelings and ideas, and NOT FEAR THE MISTAKES. 👍🏼

[msaali]

*Summary*

Initial Insights
- Polyglots manage quality of time, rather than quantity
- Polyglots have personalised system, though have common traits
e.g. of systems
- Speak from day 1(bennie)
- Material (Steve kaufman)
- High frequency words (Lucas)
- Flashcard system w/o translation
- Robin McFernon (dissection)
- David James (Re-write vocab list)
- Phrases *then* fun, material, consistency, priorities (Lydia)

1. No special talent
2. No one-size-fits all method
3. Independent learners
4. Create own material
5. One language at a time
* 6. Polyglots spend MUCH MORE speaking and listening
7. Polyglots love to make mistakes
8. Art of simplification (e.g. Lucas' High Frequency method)
9. Diligently consistent
10. Polyglots MAKE language learning their addiction (key: find material YOU find important for native speakers)

*Personal approach is what matters, so try to add and revise your systems*

Quotes:
-'Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right'
-'If you do what you've always done, you will get what you've always got'

[gregtomkins]

Language skills aside, she is a superb public speaker!

[andreismolko]

Languages cannot be taught, they can only be learned. That's true! I liked her speech a lot.

[ricardoshillyshally]

My first French language teacher was from a Ivory Coast. He could speak German and English (so, he claimed, at least) but not Spanish. So, the first month he spoke French only to us. Some students quit. I learnt French big time thanks to him and never forgot what I learnt.

[petrophilip]

First off all, besides being a polyglot, Lydia is an amazing and an effective public speaker. Listening to her speech is a pleasant experience. I am going to listen to as many of her speeches as I can.
Secondly she is an inspiring person. She has inspired me to learn what I have been trying to learn for professional development. These methods of learning can be applied to learning different skills or habits such as public speaking, playing the piano, programming or working out. Just do it consistently.

[bemdav]

I was born in Slovakia. When I was 15, I moved to Ireland and I had to do the Irish equivalent of secondary school graduation in 2 years time. As my second language in school (third for me, English was my second) I had chosen German, starting from scratch. Compared to other students who had 5-6 years to learn it, I knew I was up for a challenge, but I believed I could do it.

I spent time in school, doing assigned homework, writing essays, etc., after about 1.5 years I noticed this was not good enough and at this pace I wouldn't be able to graduate well. My writing skills were okay, but 50% of the final grade were based on a 10 minute spoken conversation with the examiner. I wasn't great at that.

I had decided to move in with my aunt who speaks German very well as she has lived in Germany for 7 years (and met her, now husband, there. Whose first language is Spanish). She also has 2 children who speak German a little bit, mainly from watching cartoons or from listening to their parents' conversations (Even though they speak Slovak/Spanish to the children). I lived with them for 2 weeks and all we did was speak German. Every day, whether it was regular chat, getting groceries in the store, or me babysitting the kids. My aunt refused to speak any Slovak in front of her children. I have to say, this was the best spent 2 weeks I ever could. I learned way more German than I would have during the 2 years in school. When I returned to school, some of my classmates thought I was German. I graduated with a B!

[namjuok]

Her voice is too good, soft, melodic to just ignore. Such a powerful ability to make others concentrate! The contents she presented were also wonderful. Inspiring speech indeed.

[njabulob]

I love her accent. She has a calm, soothing voice.

[tiborikk]

Absolutely brilliant attitude towards language learning. That's exactly what I needed to hear. A lot of polyglots on YouTube presentatinons try to push forward their own methods as if everything else was not good enough. This lady put it right - everything is good as far it is enjoyable.

[Xx-xkxu]

I read fanfics 😂😂😂
I have this guilty pleasure of reading fanfiction, and it helps me learning languages.
Today, after six years of reading fanfics, I can read them in five different languages :)

[sealand]

Not every native speaker of a language is blessed with a special talent, so you don't need a special talent to learn a new language. But you need exposure to the language, and motivation.

[MovieRiotHD]

Her point of listening is key: The french I was taught in school was completely different from what actually is being spoken in France.

[lfmbreal]

what worked for me was to build a very basic vocabulary, such as I want, I need, I have. then learn the second person such as can you? do you? would you?. and if you do not know the rest, just point to the object in question and the other person will name It, after that it gets easier, as you learn to add, the " he, she, we, they", and some of the structure. when you are pointing you are hearing the pronunciation aplicable locally. language is such a beautiful concept, I have seen a lot of different children, playing together, each speaking their own language and all understanding eachother, it was wonderful, there was, no color, no language barriers, no preconceptions. we as adults can learn so much from the children. and you are right!. each has to find what works for them. and do not be afraid to make mistakes, practice makes perfect.

[marcoferrao]

Something peculiar happened to me. My mother tongue is Portuguese and I speak fluently English, I speak some Spanish but understand it perfectly, I also speak some Italian. So, now I am learning German and out of nowhere I started dreaming in Spanish! Where did it come from? Some days later all the languages started popping up in my dreams. I wonder.

[cyprianuslilikk.p.]

I can hear her voice for hours. Calm, shooting, but smart and energetic.

[Nostalgia-pchb]

I speak Portuguese, Spanish, English, Italian, French. I have knowledge of German and Swedish and now I am learning Romanian. I use everything she said.