How to Choose Which Language to Learn

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I'd like to thank the volunteers who created this video's translations:

Hai
Anna
Phol Huỳnh

0:00 We need to let kids choose the language they want to learn in schools.
3:22 Don't feel pressured to learn a heritage language.
4:18 The best language to learn is the language you are most motivated to learn.
6:43 Considering the writing system of a new language.
9:11 Usefulness + interest = the best chance of success at learning the language.

Factors that influence our choice in languages to learn include how easy it seems, how useful it seems and our interest in the language. It is the last one, interest, that I find the most motivating.
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My Podcast:

#learnlanguages #languages #polyglot

[Thelinguist]

There is no reason why students at school aren't free to choose which language to learn. With Internet language learning resources, schools no longer need specialized teachers for each language.

FREE Language Learning Resources


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Social Media

[islamadam]

One of the main things that attract me to a new language is the pronunciation: I listen to its native speakers, I like how they sound though I don't understand anything they say, and I find myself wishing to speak like that.

[JensNyborg]

Here in Denmark we are strongly encouraged to learn a third language in school.

The school will give you a list to choose from, and since I'm from a small rural community the list I got was:

German.

So I chose German. ;-)

[Caine]

I pick the languages based on different reasons
1. Spanish because I enjoy the sound of it, and more importantly, it's useful to know as someone who works in healthcare and tends to have Spanish speaking patients downtown where I work.
2. Norwegian because I think it sounds amazing, I love the culture behind it, and as an English speaker it's so EASY!
3. Japanese because I also like the sound and culture but it presents a very good challenge.

[rafaelmesquita]

I definitely believe this is the case. I used to struggle a lot with Spanish back in (what is the equivalent to) "Elementary School" here in Brazil. Supposedly, it should have been fairly easy, as Spanish is very close to Portuguese. Once I started learning English, especially by the time I got into sitcoms, movies and comics, my level quickly surpassed that of my Spanish. The same is happening now in Japanese. Learning vocabulary, grammar structure and patterns doesn't feel like a chore, so I happily commit to it. Every single moment I spent with Spanish back then just felt like "homework". I never felt any sort of accomplishment from it. Maybe I'll go back to Spanish once I get really comfortable with Japanese.

[thejuiceweasel]

I agree that you gotta have a genuine interest. I had Spanish in school for one year and retained almost nothing, because I didn't care much for Spanish at that time.
Later in life, I got interested in Mexico and Colombia, and consumed lots of comprehensible input, and now I can watch Netflix shows, read books etc... just because I got personally invested enough to *care* about the language and the connected cultures.

[highchamp]

Enjoying all my languages.
It's a great hobby. (thanks to the internet)

[amstabomitdembabo]

Well since French is the second official language in Canada I would consider it absolutely logical that they have the ambition to teach it at school. Maybe the didactic approach is not so good but I don't think that letting the students choose their language is a realistic, feasible and desirable alternative.

Kevin (13yo): So teacher, here is my decision: I want to learn Slovak.
Teacher: Oh, great. Canada needs more Slovak speakers!
Kevin: So when will you start to teach me?
Teacher: Actually never, I don't know any Slovak at all. But you can go to the internet and do your daily reading and listening.

[tedcrowley]

I was only interested in Japanese and Korean and Chinese. After 3 months I finally chose Chinese. But method is important too. I used online courses and stayed motivated a couple years. But I hate memorization and I hate being tested. (My driver's license says NO ANKI) That isn't how I learn. So the standard class structure (even on-line) was not well-suited to me. Luckily, I discovered Steve's videos. Finding things I don't mind doing? Finding lessons at my level? I can do that. I'm only around HSK 3/4 after 4+ years, but who cares? It's as much fun as playing some video game. And I'm learning. That's fun.

[michaelrespicio]

I'm learning Icelandic and although not a super popular nor widely spoken language, I have my reasons and don't care what anyone thinks.
1. I like the way it sounds and have a native speaker friend
2. It's fascinating how it has been well preserved since the Viking Age, has not changed much since then, and how they driven they are to continue preserving it
3. Icelanders know their language is not super popular nor widely spoken but any effort to speak it with them goes rewarded
4. Iceland's a marvelous country that many unfortunately turn a blind eye to
5. Icelanders are actually quite skilled, talented, wholesome, and down-to earth
6. I love their casual lifestyle, unlike people in other cultures that may be more...intense
The list goes on, but I want to be a part of the movement to help preserve this fascinating yet challenging language. I look forward to meeting more natives

[pietricsdurieux]

Agree 💯 %! Motivation is everything to learn anything!

[pietricsdurieux]

Excellent! Agreed 💯 %. Motivation is everything to learn anything!

[corinna]

I chose Finnish because one of my favourite bands is from Finland, and after I met them the first time, I wanted to learn enough to have at least a short conversation with them in their language. Six years later, I still don't know what I'm doing, but my love for the language and Finnish people and culture has grown exponentially.
Eventually I would like to learn Spanish, because I've always thought it's such a pretty language, and I should probably learn Quebecois French, because I am Canadian.

[banfirichard]

You are a 100% right, yess "Pleasure" is a big if not the biggest factor in language learning. For me personally, I was always really bad at english in school (I'm Hungarian, 18yo), but after I started studing the language at home by myself doing things I liked, I learned english in less than 2 years! About a year ago I started learning Japanese, since I thought I had learned english well enough, and over this period I never had a day when I didn't spend at least 2 hours with the language and now I'm able to read mangas that has been made for native Japanese speakers. (Granted many times I need the furigana, since my kanji is still in progress, and I of course need to look up words, depending on the difficulty of the book.)

[johnmcdonogh]

Hi Steve. Thanks for all your videos. I am currently learning Irish Gaelic, my parents were from Ireland. I definitely have motivation and a daily commitment. I also follow Olly Richards as well. I love your App LingQ. I looked at just one day of Norwegian and was really Interested. I am constantly searching the Celtic languages (Irish, Scottish, Manx, Cornish, Breton, Welsh).

[shupingwang]

Thank you for sharing your insights. I choose Russian after visiting Kharkov, Ukraine and liking the sound of it.

[haicautrang]

Hi Steve is there a language you don't personally like or have motivation to learn and why? Thanks love your videos

[ariohandoyo]

Simply the best, i chose to learn english coz my late papa encorouge me to learn english, besides cos of my late papa, the reason is the culture aspects. I love western and japanese culture, wish i could learn japanese languange one day love japan.❤🇯🇵

[matthewwatters]

Hey Steve, love the program. Love the Latin mode! Can we get ancient Greek and Hebrew on the list too?

[wolftooth]

I had a tough choice between French and German-I love Germany and its history but decided French would be better in the long term. Learning French would open the door to learn other romance languages( I have always loved Romanian and wanted to learn in but decided I should learn something more useful first) and is also more useful than German with more speakers overall.