Why We Struggle Learning Languages | Gabriel Wyner | TEDxNewBedford

The only barrier to learning a language is memory. - The process of language learning is the process of forming memories. Nothing more, nothing less. If you understand that, and you understand how memories are formed, then you can make progress in a way you've never dreamed possible before. Gabriel Wyner is an author, opera singer and polyglot based in Chicago. After reaching fluency in German in 14 weeks with the help of the immersive Middlebury Language Schools, he fell in love with the process of language learning, going on to spend two months in intensive Italian courses in Perugia, Italy. Searching for ways to bring the immersion experience into the home, he began to develop a system that rapidly builds fluency in short, daily sessions. In 2010, his efforts paid off. He learned French to fluency in 5 months, and then Russian in 10 months.

Born in Los Angeles, he graduated summa cum laude in 2007 from the University of Southern California with dual degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Vocal Arts Performance, and was awarded the Renaissance Scholar’s prize for excellence in unrelated disciplines. He then moved to Vienna to pursue triple Master’s degrees at the Konservatorium Wien in Opera, Lieder and Voice, and graduated with honors in 2011.

[espanolconmanu]

"If you want to learn a language efficiently, then you need to give that language life."
I won't ever forget that sentence. I totally agree.

[kass]

As a bilingual person I can conform that when I speak Spanish I dont think of the English translation i think of the thing

[ek]

Probably one of the best Ted talks I've ever seen. It didn't even feel like 16 and a half minutes, it felt like 5. Truly enjoyable and inspiring

[TheSassi]

To be fair, moktor is way shorter than falehskkwjow

[dongiovanni]

That's quite fair point. I've once realized that you must _understand_ the word, not _translate_ it. And from then I use flashcards (electronic only) with pictures, and with context (phrase, where I first met the word). And it's way more efficient for me. Never translate words to another language to remember them. Use images and other senses instead.

[decodingspanish]

“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.” – Flora Lewis
As a Spanish teacher with German and English proficiency, I totally agree with this.

[brutevilgax]

"...because Japanese is endless." God that's accurate. I'm a year into studying Japanese and I have soooo much ahead of me.

[karelkohout]

Very good TED talk. The best thing is the story about the interview in French. That says something about the school system of teaching languages - it's actually totally inefficient...

[wolfwoman]

i watched this video yesterday evening and i was surprised this morning. i was at the bus stop waiting for a bus and out of nowhere the word Moktor came to my mind, i wasnt even thinking about the video or anything and the word and the whole scenario came to mind out of the blue. am definitely going to give this method a try while am currently learning Korean

[ponyjumperr]

if anyone is interested, he has a book, 'Fluent Forever', which I really enjoyed

[Preuen-zsfz]

Children are so good at learning languages that they make up their own language

[adriandennhoefer]

I came to Ted for advice on learning Japanese, and he literally says, it's endless...
Right.In.The.Feels.

[violinperson]

"And i became addicted to the feeling of thinking in a completely new way" that was exactly me and my spanish journey.

[leRadicidelPiacere]

"If you want to learn a foreign language you have to give that language life."

[Ken-cifo]

He's spoken good speach.
I go to USA tomorrow to study International relationship and languages. He taught me good things to learn them.

[emmahollings]

This guy believes in teaching the exact same way my very first french teacher taught me and my class, from when we came in the door on the first day she told us; to learn a language you have to become fully immersed in it. And it worked. there are two french classes in my year, usually one, but so many kids wanted to keep doing french in this way. you can see the difference between students of one class and students of the other, if you think about it, what's the sense in learning one language in another?

[IanHollis]

TL; DW: We learn language through context, not memorization.

[theasianpolyglot]

Language is all about immersion... After learning 6 languages, I have met so many people who study a language but never dare to speak it. That to me is the biggest pity - to miss out on the capstone and benefits of language learning!

[RaffaellaIT]

I am a polyglot myself and agree on every single word he said in this talk.

[panzerkami]

"Never get between a man and his moktor"
Ancient Swedish saying.