What progress actually looks like in language learning

CC subtitles available in multiple languages.

In today's video, I discuss the role of surprise in language learning: how our progress often follows an unpredictable path, why unexpected moments help our brains absorb new information, and much more.

⏲️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 intro
0:21 the role of surprise in language learning
1:28 what understanding a joke and learning a language have in common
3:04 the importance of known words

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[Thelinguist]

❓What are you thoughts on today’s video? Let me know in the comments!

[ownone]

Words are friends, I am introduced, later I recognize them, next I become familiar, after a while we know each other and they introduce me to others and I repeat that process with the new words. Give the seeds time to grow. Nurture, water, and expose to the 💡 light.

[andrii]

in my case I can read everything better that I was struggling on a year ago, in those moments you do realize that you're making constant improvement

[ryanpmcguire]

I am often shocked how often certain passages, episodes, etc, later seem totally familiar and obvious. The feeling is often "How could I have ever not understood this?"

[wowjef]

Hey Steve, love the videos. I invented an acronym when someone asked me to explain how I learn languages - PETS: Patience, Enthusiasm, Time, System. Actually, in order of priority it should be EPTS, but that does not roll off the tongue so will. Time spent is important but also a systematic approach, which may differ from person to person, but multiple inputs is crucial, I feel. I taught my self Finnish and Italian. I learned Spanish and (very basic) French and Portuguese in formal learning environments. I prefer self-taught. Thank you again for the inspiration

[j]

Very relatable. For me, I also have this problem in my native language. Sometimes I sound like a professional speaker and other times I question if I’m even fluent in my mother tongue. 🥴

[TheVolorand]

Thank you Steve.
I have been so frustrated .Your encouragement is worth gold

[Daveo]

I call those times when my brain starts to understand things as moments of clarity, unfortunately sometimes it feels like they are far and few between, thanks for your input Steve it really helps to validate and keep me on the path.

[Sapiha_Maksym]

I'm so glad to see a message about Steve's new video💡

[jackbombay]

I picked a random clip in russian, with no context nor subtitles, when I started to learn the language a year and a half ago and I go to watch it whenever I feel I'm not making any progress anymore. It always encourage me to keep learning the language because every time I go back to that video I understand a bit more than the previous time.

[williammorris]

I deeply appreciate the wisdom and factual information in your videos, and am always happy to see a new one. In this video, I completely recognise the points made, having got to stage 3 in one language, nearly there on a second, almost on stage 2 with a third, and hardly even at stage 1 on a fourth. I am always freshly inspired by you. Language learning is such a marvellous thing, and is one of the joys of my life: even when it is hard going, it is rewarding.

[quantus]

Fantastic content Steve!! You really have helped me on my language learning journey!

[imoliver]

You are right Steve I don't care if I can't remember words that I learn I just learn and most of the time I recognize the meaning in context when I exposed to the language I always take your advice and I'm improving a lot thanks a bunch

[haroldwood]

Thanks, Steve. This was an excellent, clear and certainly credible discussion, supported by research. Much appreciated.

[Soulcap]

Always such wisdom and inspiration! Thanks Steve, you help me stay stoked (learning Norwegian right now and loving the process!)

[JBSpecialMusic]

Along these lines, over the past couple years I've joined several European Portuguese humor groups. I pickup tidbits about the culture as I flex my mind around each randomly posted joke. I treat each joke as a puzzle to solve.

[stan]

Steve, that click! that you have mentioned in your speech I compare with click of correct mounting of the boots in mountain skis.

[thescorpion]

Wow I didn't expect that joke about the police officer, my teacher in school told that to the class once and I thought it was a classic Italian joke that people in other countries wouldn't understand

[xer]

There's also a lot of other aspects to language learning that's also important to address, like focusing on the fundamentals and trying to get yourself to think in the other language. Personally, I think that pronunciation is the most important piece of learning a language, and there are tools and resources that can help you familiarize yourself with parts of the languages, like the IPA.

[chrisbunka]

When I hear Steve use the phrase “the element of surprise”, I can’t get Monty Python’s “The Spanish Inquisition” skit out of my head 😅

I had a moment during a lesson in which my Portuguese teacher had used the word “tivesse”. Although I had read this word countless times on LingQ and had heard it on audio, I had failed to grasp it in conversation until my teacher had written down what she had said.