Word Salad: Can You Learn 2 Languages Simultaneously Without Confusion?

Yes, you can — with the right strategies, just like I did

Image by Christine Sponchia from Pixabay

Most of us know what it feels like to get tongue-tied. That moment when words turn into salad — all mixed together.

If it can happen when you speak one language, imagine what can happen when you speak multiple languages or are learning more than one language at the same time?

But, surprisingly, I’ve found that you can learn and master more than one language at the same time if you use the right learning strategies and approaches.

And you won’t make word salad either!

As a polyglot and language blogger, I speak more than six languages, and I am constantly studying new languages and cultures.

I have learned as many as three languages at the same time, so I have a unique perspective on just what the effects of learning multiple languages together can be.

Here’s what to expect and how to prepare for learning success.

Why Two Languages at Once?

If you are learning two languages at the same time, you probably have a few reasons why this is your choice.

However, this is not a case of “two for the price of one.”

So what motivates people to invest that much time and effort into learning two languages jointly?

The Motivation for Dual Language Learning

Learning two languages together can be loads of fun (if you do it right).

There are several reasons why you might decide that you need or want to learn more than one language at a time:

• You could be moving to a new country or traveling to a specific region where you need to master two new languages to get by.
• Perhaps your career prospects require that you speak not just your mother tongue, but also two new languages.
• You could be trying to make a good impression on someone who speaks a foreign language, and so you want to learn the languages they speak so you can enjoy immersing yourself in their culture.
• Your goal is to benefit from the cognitive benefits of learning multiple languages. Learning languages has huge mental benefits, including better memory, increased intelligence, and a decrease in mental decline.
• Your love of cultures could prompt you to learn more than one new language at a time.

Challenges to Learning Multiple Languages at the Same Time

Before I answer why you should learn two languages together, it’s best to look at a few of the bumps in the road you can expect.

Time Management Challenges

One of the first challenges you will face when learning two or more languages is how to manage your time.

It will require some dedication and self-discipline to ensure you give enough time to each language to ensure you learn.

People often say, “I’d love to learn multiple languages, but I just don’t have the time.” The reality is, free time won’t come on its own — you have to make time for it intentionally (Own Picture)

After all, it can quickly become overwhelming to have limited time to learn a language, much less learn two languages.

Interference Between Languages

Another difficult challenge lies in not getting interference between the two languages you are learning.

It’s very easy to mix up the grammar of the target languages or get confused by similar-sounding words. Homonyms can cause real trouble when you have similar-sounding languages.

I prefer to learn languages that don’t have much in common together as there’s a smaller risk of homonyms interfering across the languages.

Some common errors could include mixing up words between the languages and incorrectly applying grammar rules.

Cognitive Overload (aka Brain Drain)

Speaking comes naturally to us, but when we learn a new language, it requires a lot more brain power.

You are reprogramming your brain while you store information about that language.

It can be quite tiring.

Now, imagine learning multiple languages at the same time.

When you are tired, you don’t learn as effectively, and this can be one of the biggest challenges that can hold back your progress.

Potentially Slower Progress

While we often think that multitasking is the answer to making better progress, this isn’t always so.

When you learn two languages together, it means you have less time for each language, and so your progress will be slower than if you’d learned one language at a time.

Successfully Learn Two Languages at the Same Time

To learn two languages together, you need to have a few good strategies in place or it will be like the tower of Babel — utter confusion.

Clear Goals

Know what you want to learn and how you want to use each language. This helps you manage and compartmentalize the languages and avoid confusion.

Bild von Gerd Altmann auf Pixabay

I also recommend starting one language a few weeks before the other.

When you have basic grammar and vocabulary in place, you can much more efficiently start the next language, but they still grow and develop together.

Different Language Families

This is a big one — never learn similar languages together.

It’s like trying to tell twins apart (and you’re not their mom). Instead, pick unrelated languages that don’t share common origins.

English and Korean are a great match, while Spanish and Italian or Russian and Ukrainian would be a terrible match.

Time Management

I focus on one language per day, which also helps my brain keep the new knowledge straight.

Once you know both languages fairly well, you can start experimenting with learning them at different times on the same day.

Learning Materials

It may sound silly, but you will find it works best to use separate learning materials.

Don’t try to learn by comparison (at least, not from the start).

I use different apps for each language (for example, I use Preply to learn Turkish, and Babbel and Duolingo for studying Italian and Spanish), and while I learn language A in the home office, I might focus on language B in the kitchen while I cook.

Mistakes Are Not Bad!

Finally, it’s essential that you don’t aim for perfection, or you’ll end up spinning your wheels but going nowhere.

Mistakes are some of your best teachers. Without mistakes, real learning won’t happen.

I keep track of my mistakes on a planner, which helps me identify where I need to work harder or learn more. How do you use your mistakes to your advantage?

Final Words of Wisdom

Learning two or more languages together is fun, and it’s totally doable.

You simply require the right mindset, effective and creative preparation, and unique learning strategies that will help you minimize errors and maximize learning.

When you have clear goals with each language, it also helps you formulate your learning plan.

Of course, to learn two languages simultaneously means you have to work twice as hard, so motivation is essential for success.

Don’t shy away from the polyglot challenge. I dare you to be extraordinary in your own unique way as you explore two new languages and two new cultures at your own pace.