Why learning languages in 2024 is just NOT worth it

CC subtitles available in multiple languages.

Today is one of those days when I question whether language learning is worth the time and effort it requires.

⏲️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Why bother learning a language
0:24 My friend's story
1:42 Learning languages is hard work
2:34 Everyone already speaks English
2:53 Lies people spread about language learning
3:38 Is language learning worth it?

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[Thelinguist]

❓Was I able to convince you to give up? Let me know in the comments!

[mbphubc]

"If you read well, people will get jealous at you, if you read badly, they'll laugh at you "
So true .

[GerardMenvussa]

Why learn a foreign language when you could just kidnap Steve and force him to translate for you?
Work smart, not hard (ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง

[LanguageSimp]

I agree completely. Language learning is a huge waste of time these days.

[kkarx]

Your friend should not worry. I get refused even in my own language. 😁

[alex]

Damn I was like Steve gave up on life 😅

[hiramdouglaswilliams]

It's kind of like saying " Why should I go hiking or jogging, I can just in a car and go there."

[camilapalmeida]

I was getting so sad and unmotivated while watching my polyglot idol saying that it wasn't worth it until you say the last sentence of the video! You got me on that one! 😅

[rpg]

Apparently Steve is a talented actor as well!

[KNCKNCKNC]

Learning a language is great because you learn that embarrassment is way overrated. It is one of the best ways to get over one's own fragile ego and find your own voice in all aspects of one's life.

[BijuuMike]

very motivational thank you so much for finally giving it to us straight Steve.

[senco]

After seeing the title and the person who posted it, I suddenly decided to throw the Russian book I was just using every bit of my brain cells to comprehend and read out of the window to the very depths of hell and finally yell from the heart "Freedom".



Until I saw the date. Steve is a monster.

[pumpkinsandme]

My kids started learning Mandarin 6 years ago. Last year my daughter competed in the Chinese Bridge Chinese Competition for fun. She wound up winning an all-expenses paid trip for her and myself to China to compete there. We had an amazing time and she won first for the Americas. Doors open when you know another language that you never expected. And we've made so many friends on the way, been exposed to a whole new culture, and my children are learning to have empathy, perseverance, and to think in new ways.

[lapkrit]

Thank you, Steve! This came just in time. I've realised I've been spending too much time staring at my screen learning German and Swedish. It's really unhealthy for my mental health and it worsens my attention span. So I'm officially quitting wasting my time on language learning and instead gonna go get a degree in rocket science!

I hope other people open their eyes to this modern plague of language learning that corrupts our children 🙏

[Venganza_]

thank you for this wonderful message steve! i have been preaching the benefits of giving up and resigning oneself to total failure and inadequacy for years!!! great to see this glorious truth be spread further :D

[chaoslanguagelearning]

The fact that Steve quoted this Chinese parable (which he most probably learned it in Chinese) proves learning languages is worth it. :)

[ericcsuf]

I've found learning Norwegian has been about as useful and fun as when I trained to run my first marathon at 58. Worthless in day to day life and exhausting. But I loved every minute of both accomplishments. I'm 80+ now and can no longer run marathons or even 5K's, but I can still exercise my most important "muscle". My brain. I continue to study Norwegian and have added Spanish to the mix. I live in So Cal so Spanish might actually be useful, but that's not why I'm doing it. Thanks for the videos and thanks for LingQ, Steve.

[edmondpiffard]

Haha! Good one! Steve you inspired me to learn five languages during Covid. Now learning five more and I won’t stop till I die. Most fun Ive ever had. The salient message from you that I took to heart was that if you’re motivated and take the time you will get there. Forever thankful for your inspiration .

[darthyall]

I was scared when I read the title, but then I saw the upload date. 😂

[maxmust-dwmu]

The secret to learning a language successfully is to invest €100, 000 in learning materials