DON'T Complicate Language Learning

CC subtitles available in multiple languages.

Many people are put off learning languages because they think it is difficult to do. Language educators often don’t help, but instead complicate the process with jargon, seeking to describe the minute details of the natural and enjoyable process of language acquisition.

0:00 Books on language learning complicate the process unnecessarily.
2:07 Some examples from Second Language Acquisition by Rod Ellis.
3:55 The importance of exposing yourself to the culture or cultures of your target language.
7:36 I never guess when learning a language.
10:05 Some comments on Norbert Schmitt's Vocabulary in Langauge Teaching.
11:50 In my opinion there is only one source you need for writing on language learning.
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My Podcast:

#languagelearning #languages #polyglot

[elllllllle]

When I was a little kid, my English teacher told me in western world if people give you a compliment, your response should be: thank you. I was so shocked that a person give that kind of response because that just sounds so cocky. in Chinese culture you should deny it, saying things like no no I’m not that good. So very often it is not just about language it is more to do with culture.

[karogod]

It seems to me that often the educational books are written by people who don't learn languages actively. I started applying Krashen's comprehensible input and Lingq and I am very happy of my progress in Chinese. It is really simple.

[Evelinawdyw]

I was shocked when Steve put together his glasses 😅 It's very impressive I must admit. Never saw something like that before)

[deutsch.direkt]

Great video! One really should not overcomplicate language learning. It's important to stop worrying and start taking action.
A very simple method I've discovered to learn new vocabulary is just reading a chapter of a book in a language you know, and then the same chapter in the languge you learn. Not page by page, because the switching will distract you, but really chapter by chapter - and it is less boring this way. By the end of the book, you'll have learned many new words passively, without even realizing it!
Thanks for sharing your tips and strategies for language learning.

[BryanAJParry]

"It’s acquiring new language habits" "largely through lots of listening and reading" KEY QUOTE THERE.

[mingshili]

I agree with looking up words, and I didn’t understand why many educators make language learners guess the meaning of certain words. I feel looking up a word is far more efficient. That is how I learn English. I’m fluent now and pretty happy with it.

[ariohandoyo]

Some people use complicated way or boring way to learn new languanges example by memorising 100 words, i agree with him that learning languanges should be blast and etertaining, not stress yourself out, and learning the culture is like a reward for me, it's interesting part of the languange learning. As mr. Bob the canadian said every little bit counts, i'm his subscriber. Yes, learning languange is not complicated whatsoever i speak English on What's app group and in my daily life. Am i expert? Not at all, i'm just an English learner.😊

[goranvuletic]

For all those who want to learn a Slavic language, be aware that if you learn Serbian (Croatian, Bosnian), that language speak around 30 million people, so it's far more widely used than Czech or Slovak. Also, the sounds are as clear as those of Italian. As for Slavic languages in general, for starters, you can disregard most of gramatical rules, the locals will understand you perfectly well.

[gethinmichael]

Hi Steve. Your videos helped inspire me to learn 2 new languages going back over 10 years when I felt a failure after my experience with languages in high school and I feel the sky is the limit when it comes to language learning now. I love everything to do with the polyglot and language learning community on YouTube. Best wishes, Gethin 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[StillAliveAndKicking_]

As usual, a clear and informative presentation. Second language acquisition today is so much easier than in the BI (Before Internet) era as we have so much access to audio and video in the target language, and as you so rightly say, quantity of input is key. A language teacher, in my non professional opinion, should be someone who generates enthusiasm in the students, encourages them and guides them. They must also make it clear that it requires hundreds if not thousands of hours of conscious interaction with that language.

[omarperezprada]

For me learning languages was kind of barriers, I struggled with that so much time. I knew stiven and my point of view change about language learning. Currently I am learning English and now all is easier, sometimes I feel kind of shy but I go on learning, I don’t worry about my mistakes, I mean, I take care about them but just I try to advance and every single day I learn something new.

[mark_tilltill]

Toddlers don't know or care about grammar. If you are starting out, just relax and let it happen to you. Keep at it!

[NaturalLanguageLearning]

The more complicated your learning system, the less likely you are to implement it.
Input is the best way to learn and focus and consistency are the most important things to be successful.

[e-genieclimatique]

in brief:
In this video, Steve Kaufmann emphasizes that language learning is not as complicated as it is often portrayed by academics and textbooks. He goes through several books on language acquisition, pointing out various concepts and ideas that make the process seem complex. He argues that language learning is a natural and simple phenomenon, primarily involving acquiring new language habits through listening and reading.

Kaufmann suggests that Stephen Krashen's natural learning approach and input hypothesis offer clear and straightforward explanations of how languages are learned. He believes that a focus on massive input, gradually increasing vocabulary, and gaining confidence in speaking will lead to language proficiency. He also mentions LingQ, a language learning platform that facilitates the process of learning through massive input and gradually more challenging content.

In summary, Steve Kaufmann argues that language learning is a simpler process than it is often portrayed, with the key components being lots of listening, reading, and gradually building vocabulary and confidence.

[goodtogo]

I started to make the biggest amount of progress once I made things as simple as possible.
I have a certain amount of time each day that I read in my target language... I have a certain amount of time each day that I listen in my target language.
Thats it.
It almost sounds too simple to work, but in fact it works better than every kind of complicated thing I tried before.
You helped alot in finding the right method that works for me, so thank you Steve.

[lugo_]

Kids in Ireland spend 14 years learning irish. At the end they cannot even order "a cup of coffee to go, and can I tap with my credit card"....meanwhile the education system does the Irish equivalent of Shakespeare & beowulf.

[mslyn]

I agree that learning a language is through a massive input from listening and reading. I remember when I was in high school, I learned to be good in speaking and writing in English through a lot of reading. Now, I focused more on listening to improve my pronunciation and accent.

[SebastianLopez-mczu]

Merci pour tout ton aide, Steve! C'est très génial trouver quelqu'un que explique l'acquisition d'une langue d'une façon si facile et pratique! Merci beaucoup !!

[samp]

I’m reading simple Japanese at the minute and it reminds me of when I was a young child, sounding out words in picture books.

[alhajibrahim]

In previous video steve kaufman said: if you want to learn a new language, love that language, it could be easy to learn