How I Became A Polyglot At 19
Tips from a language enthusiast gathered from a lifelong journey.
It's no secret that languages are complex and time-consuming. To be completely honest, there is no magic formula to learning Italian in a week (yes, all those YouTube videos are fake!).
As a Spanish speaker, learning English as my second language was pretty much mandatory, but it still took me years to feel fluent speaking it. Starting as early as kindergarten, I basically took English classes all my life, in elementary school, I started private courses that lasted until middle school, but it wasn't until I started using the language that I felt like I had mastered it.
During COVID, I used the extra time to enroll in intensive French classes, and I became reasonably fluent in two years. Today, I feel way more comfortable with my French by using it regularly and consuming French media than I ever did when I was still in class. Currently, in college, I am continuing my journey, and I have started learning Italian while taking German courses on the weekends.
During all these years of learning, I've gathered a few tips that continue to help me learn languages quickly and stay motivated since I realized that it was the things that I was doing on my own that got me to a fluent level and not getting stuck in grammar books for years.
1. Mentality
If you have had any conversation about languages with friends or family, maybe telling them about the exciting new phrase you just learned in French or a crazy German word that is a bit too over-specific, you probably have heard any of the awkward questions that people tend to ask when you say you are learning a language.
- "But, like, to what percent do you speak Italian?"
- "Are you fluent yet?"
- "Can you say translate this ?"
It is impossible to learn a language thoroughly; there will always be new things to learn and master, even in your native tongue, and these types of comments show how little we understand the learning curve that learning involves.
Don't let comments like these discourage you. Keep in mind that the purpose of languages is communication. If you can understand and make yourself heard in another language, you are doing it, even if your grammar could be better! Getting rid of your accent and sounding like a native can take years, and that doesn't mean you will stop making mistakes. Don't be afraid of mistakes, and learn from them!
2. Inmersing in the language
Learning a language takes time. There's no way around it; depending on your chosen language, studying can take hundreds or even thousands of hours. The hardest part about the process is staying motivated and finding the time to practice, so finding ways to get involved with the language throughout your routine can make a difference. Remember that studying doesn't necessarily mean sitting in front of a book for hours!
Here are my favorite things you can do to put in the hours:
i. Music and Podcasts.
This is something easy and straightforward to do, and you can adapt when you improve. Try jumping to the top 50 on Spotify of a country that speaks the language you're going for and start a playlist that you can listen to while you work out, drive to school or work, cook, or do laundry. Focusing on the lyrics and singing along will help you practice both listening and speaking and will also familiarize you with a more natural and daily way to talk.
If you opt for a podcast, you can use specific learning podcasts like Duolingo's or Coffee Break. When you feel comfortable, you can look for podcasts in another language that fit your interests and hobbies.
ii. Browsing.
Whenever you need to look for a recipe or tutorial, remember that you could also search in another language and practice. You can also do this for any research; if you ever have any questions, let your curiosity flow and read about topics you're curious about.
Most of my English vocabulary comes from YouTube videos and TikTok, which is helpful if you want to speak more casually and get into that specific pop culture.
iii. Change your phone language.
You may think that reading your settings in another language may be pointless, but changing your phone language is more than just reading the date in French. This will change any app or game on your phone to whatever language you practice. Think about it: How much time do you spend looking at your phone?
3 . Understanding the language
Fully acknowledging why you picked the language, where it comes from, and what similarities or differences it has from your native or fluent ones can make the difference, keeping you motivated and, in general, a game changer.
As a native Spanish speaker, I find romance languages way easier to understand and learn quicker, something that didn't happen with German or English. If you haven't picked the language and want an easier time, try looking for something in your native language family tree.
Something that has helped me is adapting my mindset. For example, I tend to avoid reading French classics because they are hard enough to comprehend in my native language, mainly because written French differs from casual French. When I started learning Italian, I had traveling in mind, so I focused on speech and conversations more than anything else.
Doing this has helped me feel like I can use the language for what I intend. I don't get frustrated when I get to things that are not my priority, and I can return to studying these aspects later on.
Thanks for reading.
