Why We Struggle Learning Languages | Gabriel Wyner | TEDxNewBedford

Recent questions

• How do children and adults differ in language learning abilities?

  Children are often believed to be better language learners than adults due to their exposure time, but adults actually have a superior ability to learn languages. Children have advantages in language learning, such as being able to hear sounds in new languages better and being fearless in conversations. On the other hand, adults have the advantage of being better learners due to their ability to learn how to learn. The advantage of time is crucial in language learning, as adults do not have the luxury of 15,000 hours of exposure like children.

• What techniques did the speaker use to effectively learn French?

  The speaker shared personal experiences of struggling with learning Hebrew and Russian but finding success in German through immersion. They cheated on a French placement test but used spaced repetition systems to learn the language effectively. Memories are formed through connections between sounds, images, sensory experiences, emotions, and other associations. The speaker used flashcards with pictures instead of translations to learn French vocabulary effectively. By starting with pictures and moving on to sentences and abstract words, the speaker successfully learned French in a short period.

• How did the speaker become fluent in French in a short period?

  The speaker was able to have a conversation in French after three months of dedicated learning using visual aids and spaced repetition techniques. After being mistakenly placed in the advanced level of French, the speaker immersed themselves in the language by reading 10 books, writing 70 pages of essays, and within seven weeks became fully fluent. This experience led them to develop efficient language learning methods, which they applied to learning other languages like Russian, Hungarian, and Japanese. The key to efficient language learning, as discovered by the speaker, is to connect every word to sensory experiences like sounds, images, scents, tastes, and emotions, making grammar a tool for storytelling rather than an abstract concept.

• What is the key to efficient language learning according to the speaker?

  The key to efficient language learning, as discovered by the speaker, is to connect every word to sensory experiences like sounds, images, scents, tastes, and emotions, making grammar a tool for storytelling rather than an abstract concept. The speaker emphasized the importance of using visual aids, spaced repetition techniques, and immersive experiences to effectively learn a new language. Dedication and the right approach are crucial in achieving success in language learning, as demonstrated by the speaker's personal experiences and language learning journey.

• How did the speaker's language learning experiences differ in various languages?

  The speaker shared their experiences of struggling with learning Hebrew and Russian but finding success in German through immersion. They developed efficient language learning methods through their journey of learning French, Russian, Hungarian, and Japanese with breaks in between due to the complexity of Japanese. The speaker emphasized the importance of connecting every word to sensory experiences and using visual aids to make language learning more effective. By immersing themselves in the language and dedicating time to practice and study, the speaker was able to achieve fluency in multiple languages, proving that language learning is achievable for everyone with dedication and the right approach.