How to Talk Like a Native Speaker | Marc Green | TEDxHeidelberg

Recent questions

• How did the protagonist end up getting lost in Moscow?

  The protagonist and their friend sneaked out of the hotel to explore Moscow and ended up riding the Moscow metro. They mistakenly wrote down "Exit" instead of the station name, which led to them getting lost in the city. They showed the note to locals for directions but still had trouble finding their way back.

• How did the protagonist feel about the Russian language after their experience in Moscow?

  The protagonist cringed at the Russian language after their experience in Moscow. They realized the importance of learning the local language and the significance of minimizing accent, using local expressions, and adopting cultural traits when learning a language.

• What advice was given to improve language skills?

  To improve language skills, it was advised to immerse oneself in native environments, whether through living abroad, romantic relationships, or interactions with co-workers. Even when not surrounded by natives, one should continue learning by watching TV shows, films, and learning song lyrics to enhance pronunciation and vocabulary.

• How did being bilingual help the protagonist in learning their first foreign language?

  Being bilingual helped the protagonist in learning their first foreign language. It was mentioned that developing a native-like level in a language requires focusing on pronunciation, as it accelerates the learning process and aids in achieving fluency. Adopting a native mindset and actively practicing speaking, expressing, and acting like a native speaker are key steps towards reaching this level.

• What comparison was made regarding learning languages?

  Learning languages was compared to turning over cards in a deck. The experience of being bilingual helped in learning the first foreign language, emphasizing the importance of minimizing accent, using local expressions, and adopting cultural traits when learning a language.