Today we bring to your attention a translation of an article by the Irish polyglot, the author of a unique method of learning foreign languages, Benny Lewis.

In the post you will find answers to the following questions:

  • How to start speaking a foreign language today?
  • How to pass yourself off as a native speaker?
  • How to learn several foreign languages ​​in 2 years and become a polyglot?

The article contains a lot of tips on using various resources and free applications that will help you improve your language proficiency in the shortest possible time. If you have been looking for effective methods for memorizing new vocabulary and improving your communication skills in a foreign language for a long time, then this post is intended for you. ;)

Most people believe that everyone who succeeds in learning foreign languages ​​has a genetic predisposition to it. However, the example of Benny Lewis proves that this belief is just one of hundreds of excuses we resort to to justify our unsuccessful attempts to be considered a polyglot.

As Benny recalls, a few years ago he was absolutely hopeless in everything related to languages: at the age of 20 he could only speak English, was the worst in his German class, and after 6 months in Spain he could hardly muster the courage to to ask in Spanish where the bathroom is.

It was during this period in Lewis’s life that a certain moment of epiphany occurred, which radically changed his approach to learning languages: he not only succeeded in mastering Spanish, but also received a certificate from the Cervantes Institute (Instituto Cervantes), confirming his level of language proficiency at level C2 - perfect . Since then, Benny began to actively study other foreign languages, and on this moment can easily carry on a dialogue of more than 12.

As Benny Lewis himself says: “Since I became a polyglot - a person who speaks several languages ​​- my world has become much wider. I met interesting people and visited places that I could not even think about before. For example, my knowledge of Mandarin allowed me to make new friends while traveling on the Chengdu-Shanghai train, talked politics with a desert dweller in Egyptian Arabic, and my knowledge of sign language gave me the opportunity to become familiar with the peculiarities of deaf culture.

I danced with the former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, and then spoke about it in Irish live on the radio, interviewed Peruvian textile manufacturers, talking to them in Quechua about the specifics of their work.... And in general, I spent a wonderful 10 years traveling the world."

In this post you will find many useful tips, the use of which will help you improve your level of proficiency in foreign languages ​​in record time and, quite possibly, become a polyglot.

Text: Daria Sukharchuk

Learning foreign languages ​​is addictive and if you already know one (most likely), you will probably soon want to learn the second, and maybe even the third or fourth. At this stage, the most serious question is which language to choose? To correctly answer this question, we decided to turn to professionals. With the help of Ekaterina Matveeva, a linguist, Yasna Aksenova, a Hebrew tutor, Ekaterina Pukhova, a specialist in the history of the Middle East, and Oksana Nalivaiko, a translator from Japanese, we talk about nine very different languages and share tips and resources for those who would like to learn one.

French

Website with video lessons using the “Polyglot” method

One of the most popular foreign languages, it is also very widespread in Africa, Asia and the Middle East - many people here still speak it better than English. French is accepted, along with English, as an official language in the EU, UN, and many international corporations. It is one of the Romance languages, which means it is related to Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. Thus, knowledge of French will help you navigate not only in France, but also in countries where similar languages ​​are spoken.

There are many opportunities for learning French, the most obvious is to enroll in one of the many language schools, since it is taught almost everywhere. The resources available on the Internet are Duolingo, the training section of TV 5 Monde, and many video lessons - for example, using the “Polyglot” method (however, this system is only suitable for beginners).

Spanish


Website of the Cervantes Institute

Along with English and Chinese, Spanish is one of the three most widely spoken languages ​​in the world. Population of countries Latin America at the same time, it is only growing, which means that Spanish will spread further and further. If you ever plan to travel around South America or to the homeland of the language, you will have to learn at least basic phrases. Most residents of Spain and Latin America speak only their native language, but are always ready to listen carefully to a gesticulating and confused foreigner. So don't neglect your lessons - even a couple dozen Spanish words can make your life a lot easier.

Of all the Romance languages, Spanish is the easiest to learn and the easiest to start speaking. The matter is facilitated by the network, open all over the world, and the availability of the language on all major online platforms: Duolingo (there are courses in Russian), Babbel (you need to know English) and Amolingua - a new paid resource built around Skype lessons and chats with native speakers. The latest platform was invented by Russian linguist and polyglot Ekaterina Matveeva, who developed her own methodology and wrote a book about it.

Italian


Website of the Italian cultural center

Many consider this language to be one of the most beautiful in Europe. The practical benefits of studying it are not as obvious as in the case of Spanish or French - but if you appreciate classical opera, Italian art, or simply love Italy and miss it (this fate does not escape almost anyone who has been there at least once), then learning the language is a good way to get closer to the local culture. In addition, Italian has had a strong influence on the Spanish dialects of Latin America (especially Argentina, where many Italians left in the 19th and 20th centuries), which means that with knowledge of this language you will be at ease there too.

Italian courses can be found on all major online platforms (Duolingo, Amolingua, Babbel), as well as in Italian cultural centers, which are in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In addition, Italy actively participates in international volunteer programs, and local language schools open summer courses every year.

German


Website of the German cultural center

German is the most common language of the Germanic group: knowing it, you will be able to navigate Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian and Danish. Despite the fact that in countries Northern Europe, and in Germany itself, many people speak English fluently; knowing at least a few German words greatly facilitates communication with those who speak this language: outwardly stern Nordic interlocutors become friendlier right before your eyes. And if you learn German well, you will be able to appreciate German and Austrian literature: Mann, Zweig and Hesse are much richer in the original than in the translation.

German is known for its complexity: even Germans themselves complain about its complex case system. However, it is as popular as French, and the German government spends a lot of money on promoting its native language. There are several German cultural centers in Russia, where you can find German courses - often free. In addition, you can study German remotely on large Internet platforms: Babbel, Amolingua, Duolingo. And training videos and tests can be found on the website of the German channel Deutsche Welle.

Swedish


Swedish Institute website

Swedish is the most accessible of the Scandinavian languages: it is understood in Norway, Denmark, and Finland, where it is actually the second official language. This language is a dream for those who love Scandinavian design and minimalist lifestyle, Bergman films and the Nordic noir genre. If you want to get to know them in the original or in the future go to study in Sweden, tempted free training, it’s worth taking a closer look at Swedish.

Studying this language is worth it for those who want to try something fundamentally new, but not very difficult. Hebrew is an ideal compromise between European and Eastern languages, because, despite the pronunciation and new writing that is unusual for the Russian ear, its grammar is very similar to Russian. The most difficult will be the first months, when you will have to not only learn a new alphabet that does not have vowels, but also get used to reading and writing from right to left. The study of Hebrew itself provides an opportunity to look at European history from a completely different angle, because Hebrew has long been associated primarily with mysticism and Kabbalah - hobbies through which many European intellectuals passed. After delving deeper into this language, you will certainly be able to understand the novels of Prague writers and Umberto Eco much better.

You can learn Hebrew for free in Israeli cultural centers open to everyone, as well as online in courses for repatriates (free and also open to everyone). You can practice Hebrew by watching films and videos collected in thematic public"In contact with". There is also a good electronic Hebrew dictionary and a website with interactive exercises. When choosing courses, pay attention to those where the emphasis is on colloquial speech: in modern Hebrew there are no strict stylistic differences, and if you learn to speak well, then you can easily learn the book version.

Arab


Arabiconline platform for learning Arabic

Under the general title " Arabic“In fact, there is a whole group of Arabic dialects hiding, often sharply different from each other. In addition to numerous dialects, there are two variants of classical Arabic: Fusha, the medieval language in which the Koran was written, and modern standard Arabic, the language of major media and business contracts. Before you start learning Arabic, you need to choose your option. If you want to bargain in your own way at your favorite bazaar, it's worth learning the local dialect. Remember that Lebanese and Syrian dialects are closest to standard Arabic, but Moroccan is the most distant, and is not understood by anyone except the native speakers themselves. If you want to read modern literature or understand contracts in Arabic - stick to Modern Standard. If the calls of the muezzin have sunk into your soul or you want to read the Koran in the original, you need fusha.

For those who are intimidated by the abundance of variants of Arabic, there is good news: all these languages ​​​​use the same script. Arabic script is widespread in the Muslim East in the same way as the Latin alphabet in Europe - it is used even in languages ​​not related to Arabic, such as Farsi (Iran) and Urdu (Pakistan). In addition to purely practical reasons for learning Arabic, there may be another one - the desire to touch a completely different culture and aesthetics, to try to understand the intricacies of calligraphic patterns. To learn standard Arabic, there is a convenient platform Arabiconline, the University of Leipzig website has exercises (though you need to know German), interactive exercises can be found in the Salaam app, and more advanced ones can explore the learning section of Al Jazeera.

Perhaps there are few languages ​​that have as many legends as Chinese: they like to call it either the most complex or the most ancient. At the same time, nearly one and a half billion people speak it, and the attractiveness of China as a business destination is only growing. Of all the eastern languages, this language is the furthest from our usual logic. If you are not driven to study it by practical necessity, it is worth taking it at least for the sake of trying to understand it. Chinese hieroglyphic writing is the most the hard part language that you will study throughout your studies. Spoken Chinese, on the contrary, is very simple. After struggling with the tone system for three to five weeks, you'll quickly learn the simple phrases you need and breathe a sigh of relief when you realize that Chinese doesn't have grammatical quirks like multiple tenses, cases, or articles. Another good news is that you most likely won't have to learn dialects. The entire Chinese world, with the exception of residents of Hong Kong, remote villages and long-time immigrants, perfectly understands standard Chinese - Putonghua (“Mandarin”).

Learning Chinese on your own is difficult: you need the help of a teacher, at least to understand the features of the tone system and master the pronunciation. You can “taste” the language and learn the basics on the Peking University course on Coursera, and learn it in one of the many that are available in all big cities, or on courses at universities.

Japanese


Website of the Japanese cultural center

Japanese is the only language on our list that is widespread in only one country and does not have a single close “relative”. It’s worth taking up its study if you want to try something fundamentally new: Japanese aesthetics are just as unique and just as different from European aesthetics as Middle Eastern ones. There is no point in equating Japan and China: they are close in many ways, but there are as many differences between them as there are similarities. Even the hieroglyphs that the Japanese borrowed from their neighbors back in the Middle Ages in Japan retained the old style, and often their meaning, while in China they managed to change noticeably. However, not to the point of unrecognizability - therefore, knowledge of the hieroglyphs of one language can, to some extent, make it easier to live in the country of another.

Japanese is not as common as Chinese, but it is no less difficult to learn - so just like Chinese, you will need a teacher. Japanese courses can be found at cultural centers and universities where there are oriental faculties: Moscow State University, Diplomatic Academy and MGIMO in Moscow, FEFU in Vladivostok, St. Petersburg State University in St. Petersburg. You can practice Japanese grammar using apps

As the world becomes more connected economically and socially, the ability to communicate and understand each other has never been more important than it is today. Whether you travel, do business or study, learning another language is a must. The article presents a list of the ten most important languages ​​that will definitely come in handy in life.

Experts advise starting to learn the language that you like or that is extremely necessary, since the most important link in mastering a new means of communication is motivation, which forces a person to study tirelessly. If you still find it difficult to make a choice, you can refer to this list.

Languages ​​are selected according to their global significance (degree of prevalence, influence in the field of politics and economics), ease of learning and usefulness for a particular person (for example, when traveling or getting a job).

10. Portuguese

Compared to Spanish Portuguese has a separate, distinct history, including influences from Latin and Celtic. This language is more difficult to learn than Spanish. More than 230,000,000 speakers of Portuguese consider it their first language of communication. In fact it's official language in ten countries. It is spoken in places as far away as Angola in Africa and East Timor in the Pacific.

9. Russian

With over 250,000,000 native speakers, Russian is the most widely spoken language geographically. Usage Cyrillic alphabet may seem a little intimidating at first, but once you get familiar with it, you will realize that it provides a good basis for understanding such Slavic languages, like Ukrainian, Serbian and Bulgarian. Apart from its importance in the business world, this international communication tool boasts the largest collection of scientific and technical literature in the world, making it extremely practical for those with a thirst for knowledge.

8. Japanese

The Japanese language is important to understand. When you travel in Japan, you may be surprised to find that few road signs are written in English, and most of the population does not speak English at all. Over 120,000,000 people speak Japanese, and some consider it the most Difficult language in the world. It has three intricate writing systems, levels of formality, and a structural grammar that many may find puzzling. However, those who study it find it quite funny.

7. Hindi

Along with English, Hindi is the official language of the Indian government. This is a truly rich language that has expanded its lexicon from Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Turkish and English. Although most people associate it with India, it is also the official means of communication of Fiji, as well as a regional language in Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Mauritius.

6. Arabic

Arabic is an official language in 26 countries and has approximately 422,000,000 local and non-local speakers. It has become extremely important in the energy and security sectors, especially in Middle Eastern cities such as Dubai, UAE, Doha and Qatar. However, it contains various dialects (for example, there are large differences between Egyptian Arabic and Moroccan Arabic) and has a complex writing style.

5. German

There are many good reasons to learn German, first of all because it spoken language weight. On German business communication is carried out, since Germany is the economic center of Europe. While younger generations in Eastern Europe are more likely to study English language, those who grew up under the Iron Curtain were more likely to learn German. Although it has a more complex grammar compared to English, it is more logical.

4. French

After World War II French became European. It was extremely necessary for business and tourism. Today there are 110,000,000 of its speakers. In addition, 190,000,000 people speak it as a second language.

Americans who want to speak French with native speakers should visit Quebec and New Brunswick. Residents of these Canadian provinces use it as their main means of communication.

3. Spanish

About 470,000,000 people speak it as native language, in addition to 100,000,000 people speak it as their second language. It is the official means of communication for 20 countries. Primarily, it is distributed in South America and the Caribbean. Of course it is also very desired language for Americans who are learning it because of the growing number of Hispanics in Florida, Texas and the Southwest. It should be noted that it is very easy to learn.

2. Chinese

China is set to overtake the United States thanks to largest economy. Thus, the most widespread communication tool in the world (about 955,000,000 speakers) has acquired great importance. It is an extremely complex language at first: changing the tone can change the meaning of a sentence. The grammar system is relatively simple, although writing Chinese letters is notoriously difficult.

1. English

More than 400,000,000 people speak English as their first language, and another 1.1 billion speak it as a foreign language. Simply put, it is impossible to travel or conduct business internationally without knowing this medium of communication.

A good career is unthinkable without knowledge of English. In fact, commercial pilots are required to speak it, and most diplomatic positions require it as well. Difficult spelling rules and specific grammar may present serious problem, but if you've mastered it, then it's just great.


The first thing you should do is learn English. The second is German. Knowing English and German, you can learn French without any problems, since the lexical base will already be laid. But they will be of practically no use to you when living, say, in the UAE. And you won't be able to use them if you go to work in China or Uganda.

In China, only a few people can communicate in English, and in Uganda, knowledge of Swahili is especially urgently needed - less than 1% of the population speaks English here. We recommend assessing not the global prospects of the language, but its prospects for you, for your future life and work. How to do this, what languages ​​you need to learn and how to compare them with your own priorities? More on this later.

Which language to learn first

English. With rare exceptions, which only confirm the rule. It is the official language in more than 60 countries around the world. English is spoken by more than 1.5 billion people around the world. It is native to more than 700 million people. Look around - the best songs, scripts of TOP films, documents, instructions - all this is written in English. Knowledge of it significantly increases your chances of employment and your value as a qualified employee, no matter what industry you work in or what your responsibilities include.

5 reasons to learn English first:

  • Opportunity to clarify in most countries of the world.
  • Best for travel and business trips abroad.
  • The opportunity to watch the best Hollywood films in the original.
  • An advantage when getting an education and building a career.
  • The opportunity not to encounter language barriers in everyday life.

It is the most popular language in the world. Moreover, it is universal and applicable in most situations.

Example: you want to go to study abroad, say, in Italy, but you don’t know Italian. Knowledge of English will allow you to choose a program in which you can use a known foreign language for learning as a base one. But if you only know German or French, then the chance of getting an education in Italy tends to zero.

But there are exceptions. They consist in individual characteristics each person. If English is not good for you, if you feel sincere hatred for learning it, if you don’t understand logic, there is no point in torturing yourself. Of course, if these are just your feelings, and not the mediocrity of the teacher and incorrectly structured preparation.

Example: singer Shakira knows many languages, but English was the hardest for her. Despite an IQ close to genius and phenomenal learning abilities, the Colombian native still does not speak English perfectly and prefers to sing and speak it only as a last resort.

TOP 5 places where you can learn English online

EnglisDom - free introductory lesson

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English language school via Skype. Strong Russian-speaking teachers and native speakers from the UK and USA. Maximum conversation practice.
SkyEng - free trial lesson

The largest online English language school, which provides the opportunity to learn English individually with a Russian-speaking teacher or native speaker.

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What language should you learn as your second, third, or fourth language?

There is no need to guess here - it is important to be guided by desires, needs and the tasks facing you. Motivation is the basis for fast and successful learning. You must clearly understand why you need it and at what level you need to master it. It is recommended to formulate goals and only then begin to consider options.

Let's assume that after graduating from college you want to enroll in one of the Czech universities for a master's program. Then it’s worth learning Czech. Or in your city there is a factory owned by the Japanese - to make a successful career as a manager here, knowledge of Japanese is desirable. We know nothing about the tasks facing you. Therefore, we can offer only the TOP 7 languages ​​(besides English), which are most often chosen for study:

  1. French.
  2. Spanish.
  3. Chinese.
  4. Italian.
  5. Arab.
  6. Norwegian.

Let's make a reservation that Scandinavian languages ​​are among the most complex in the world. If you are planning to move to Norway or Sweden but are having trouble learning Norwegian and Swedish, consider your options. It's no secret that Sweden is quite loyal to emigrants, not those who know the language. Moreover, children have the right to be taught in their native language: if there is at least one Russian-speaking child in the school, then they will definitely find a Russian-speaking teacher for him. Therefore, be sure to clarify the need for training.

TOP 5 most promising languages

If you do not set yourself the goal of moving or frequently traveling to a certain country, working in multinational enterprises and being in demand as a translator, then we recommend paying attention to the most promising languages ​​in the world. They may not be the most in demand and not the most popular at a given time. But if you don’t know which foreign language is better to learn in terms of its prospects in the future, this rating is especially for you.

Chinese

The most common in the world. No one doubts the prospects of the Celestial Empire in terms of economic and industrial development. Strong contacts with Russia, the USA and other leading economies of the world lead to the emergence of a mass of multinational enterprises where knowledge of Chinese is highly welcome. Chinese is made up of at least 10 radically different dialects. It makes sense to learn literary (it is also called Mandarin or Northern Chinese) - you can communicate in it with a speaker of any dialect.

Spanish

It ranks third in terms of prevalence among all languages ​​of the world. It is also one of the easiest to learn. It is used not only in Spain, but also in many countries that were once colonies. Not all of them are alike - for example, in Mexico they speak a special dialect of Spanish called Español mexicano. There are significant differences, but if necessary, you can speak classic Spanish with any Mexican and they will understand you.

German

Germany is one of the strongest economies in the world, one of the most developed and comfortable countries for living. Therefore, the language has not lost its promise for more than a century. German is spoken not only in Germany, but also in Austria, Switzerland, and a number of other European countries. It is especially promising for employment and emigration to Europe.

Arab

It ranks 4th in terms of prevalence in the world. More than 240 million people speak it in different parts of the world. The difficulty is that the language has a lot of local dialects, and studying classical Arabic does not guarantee that you will understand them. However, you will be understood - you will be able to express yourself not only as a tourist, but also as a specialist.

Japanese

Official Japanese is only in Japan, but to varying degrees it is in demand in at least 25 Asian countries. By the way, it has a minimum of similarities with Chinese; you should not combine the study of these two languages, mistakenly assuming their identity. From the point of view of prospects, it is worth noting the development of the state’s economy and the scientific industry. Japan is one of the world leaders in terms of GDP.

What foreign language should I learn to emigrate?

Naturally, this depends on the country to which you plan to emigrate. Our advice will only be relevant if you have not yet decided on your future place of residence.

We are guided by information about the most popular countries for emigration among Russians. What languages ​​should you learn according to this data:

  • English – most often Russians prefer to emigrate to the USA. It is also in demand for admission to universities in the USA, Great Britain, Canada and a number of other countries. special programs and grants covering training costs.
  • German and French are ideal if you want to emigrate to these countries and stay there after completing your studies. Education in these countries is practically free (except for mandatory fees of 300-500 euros per semester).
  • Italian is required for immigration to Italy. Interestingly, the level of English proficiency in this country is almost at the same level as in Russia. In general, Italians, unlike many Europeans, do not speak English well.

Also popular destinations for emigration are the Scandinavian countries - Sweden, Norway, Denmark. Russian citizens are also willing to emigrate to European countries– to Switzerland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Serbia, and the Baltic countries. But according to surveys, less than 10% of Russians ready to emigrate plan to go to Asia.

What foreign language should a child learn?

Here again, it is important to be guided by the child’s living conditions. You shouldn’t choose the simplest language – choose the most promising one. At the same time, observe the child’s enthusiasm and desire to learn. If you see that he is absolutely indifferent to learning, change the tutor or place of study. If the result remains the same, it makes sense to choose another language to study. The most popular are English, French, German and Spanish. The native languages ​​of the parents (or one of the parents) should not be taken into account.

Which language is better to study as an additional language? It makes sense to pay attention to options with the simplest grammar - Italian, French.

Teachers disagree on whether a child should even learn two languages ​​at the same time. It is important to monitor the condition of children - they should not be overloaded. You shouldn’t take away their childhood, guided only by your own ambitions and the desire to get a well-rounded child prodigy. Observe your child's attitude towards educational process– his desire is extremely important.

The easiest and most difficult languages ​​to learn

The starting position is important here: for example, knowledge of English will significantly simplify the study of languages ​​of the Latin and Germanic groups. Your native language is also important. It's no secret that the easiest languages ​​for Russians to learn are Ukrainian and Belarusian, Bulgarian and Serbian. However, they cannot yet be called promising in a global sense. Therefore, we note the easiest European ones to study:

  • English.
  • Italian.
  • Spanish.
  • French.

Spanish is considered to be the simplest language - it is characterized by simplicity of spelling, grammar and pronunciation. As it is heard, so it is written, there is no need to be afraid of making mistakes. Ideally, if you know English - Spanish has a very similar vocabulary, and learning will proceed as quickly as possible. The second and third places are Italian and French, respectively. English is more difficult, but also quite accessible.

It is from him that all dialects were formed, so even if you move to a country where pure language variations are not practiced, you can quickly adapt. In the classic version it is also easiest to trace the logic of word formation and sentence construction. It is often clearer and more pleasing to the ear. Almost always it is literary and official for the preparation of documents.

Conclusion

Learn the languages ​​that you need and are interested in. Without necessity there is no motivation, and without sincere interest there is no desire. Both of these components form the basis for successful learning. There is no point in studying when the process only causes you tension and irritation. You must genuinely enjoy learning. You must understand why you are studying this particular language, what prospects it opens up for you, and what it allows you to do in the future.

If you don’t know which languages ​​are worth learning right now, try to look into the future. Figure out where you want to live and what you want to do. Choose English as a base and master it at a decent level. If you already speak English, move on to others. But be careful - only some people are able to study French and, say, German at the same time. In other cases, separate training is required.

Maria Kositsyna

Editor of the Info-Profi portal, head of the center for supporting student projects at Tyumen State University.

If you are learning English, then, of course, you have heard about polyglots who managed to learn 5/10/30/50 languages. Which of us doesn’t have the thought: “Surely they have some secrets, because I’ve been learning one and only English for years!” In this article we will present the most common myths about those who successfully learn foreign languages, and also tell you how polyglots learn languages.

A polyglot is a person who can communicate in several languages. Some of the most famous polyglots in the world are:

  1. Cardinal Giuseppe Mezzofanti different information spoke 80-90 languages.
  2. Translator Kato Lomb spoke 16 languages.
  3. Archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann spoke 15 languages.
  4. Writer Leo Tolstoy spoke 15 languages.
  5. Writer Alexander Griboyedov spoke 9 languages.
  6. Inventor Nikola Tesla spoke 8 languages.
  7. Writer Anthony Burgess spoke 12 languages.
  8. Luca Lampariello
  9. Sam Jandreau
  10. Ollie Richards is a contemporary and speaks 8 languages.
  11. Randy Hunt is a contemporary and speaks 6 languages.
  12. Donovan Nagel is a contemporary and speaks 10 languages.
  13. Benny Lewis is a contemporary and speaks 11 languages.

It should be said that basically all polyglots know 2-3 languages high level, and the rest are proficient at the “survival” level, that is, they can communicate on simple topics.

Another one interesting feature is that the first foreign language is always the hardest to learn and takes a long time to learn, while subsequent ones are mastered much faster and are easier. It is especially easy to learn languages ​​of one group, for example: Italian, French and Spanish.

7 common myths about polyglots

Myth #1: Polyglots are people with special abilities for languages.

Some people believe that polyglots do not need to strain at all: the languages ​​themselves are absorbed in their heads without effort or practice. There is an opinion that those who know many languages ​​have a different brain structure, they easily perceive and reproduce information, grammar is given to them without studying, on its own, etc.

Is it true:

Polyglot - a common person, who enjoys learning multiple languages ​​and puts all his effort into it. There is no such person who could not become a polyglot, because this does not require any special knowledge or mentality. All you need is work and passion.

Don’t be in a hurry to be fluent (you’ll frustrate yourself). Just enjoy the process. It’s slow and not always easy, but it can be enjoyable if you take the pressure off yourself.

Don't rush to fluency straight away (you'll only end up frustrated). Just enjoy the process. It will be slow and not always easy, but it can be fun if you don't push yourself.

Myth #2: Polyglots have unique memories

There is an opinion that all polyglots have a phenomenal memory, so any languages ​​are easy for them. People believe that polyglots remember the meanings of absolutely all unfamiliar words and grammatical structures from the very first time, so subsequently they can easily speak the language they are learning.

Is it true:

Polyglots do have a good memory, but many people confuse cause and effect: it is the study of languages ​​that develops memory, and not unique innate abilities that make it possible to learn a language. Indeed, there are people who can boast of a unique memory, but this does not make them polyglots. The fact is that simply memorizing words or phrases is not enough to fully learn a language.

Myth #3: Polyglots started learning languages ​​at a young age

Another popular myth goes something like this: “Polyglots are people whose parents took them to school since childhood. language classes. Children find it easier to study, so today these people easily speak several foreign languages.”

Is it true:

For the most part, polyglots are people who are in love with foreign languages. And this love came already at a conscious age. Those who learned foreign languages ​​as children do not have any advantages over adult learners. Most linguists and psychologists are convinced that languages ​​are even easier for adults, because an adult, unlike a child, consciously takes this step and understands why he needs to read texts or translate sentences. Read the article “”, you will see that adults have their own advantages over children in learning foreign languages.

Myth #4: Polyglots can learn any language in 3-5 months

The issue of the need to study English and other languages ​​is especially relevant today, so almost every day we read another article or watch an interview with a polyglot. These people sometimes claim that they learned a foreign language in 3-5 months. At the same time, many polyglots, in their interviews or articles, immediately offer you to purchase for money a language learning course that they themselves invented. Is it worth spending money on this?

Is it true:

In fact, polyglots rarely clarify what they mean by the phrase “I learned a language in 5 months.” As a rule, during this time a person has time to learn the basics of grammar and basic vocabulary in order to explain himself in everyday communication. But to speak more complex topics, for example, about life and the structure of the Universe, any person needs more than 5 months. Those who speak several languages ​​really well will tell you that they have been studying them for years and are constantly improving their knowledge. Therefore, if you plan to advance beyond the level of “reading, translating with a dictionary,” prepare not for 3-5 months, but for at least 1-2 years of studying your first foreign language “from scratch.”

Myth #5: Polyglots have a lot of free time

When we read articles about polyglots, it seems that all they do is give interviews from morning to night and tell how they managed to achieve success in the field of learning foreign languages. This is where the myth arose that those who don’t work learn languages; they say they mastered English simply “out of nothing to do.”

Is it true:

To confirm our words, watch this video by polyglot Ollie Richards, he talks about life hacks that will help even the busiest people learn a language:

Myth #6: Polyglots travel a lot

Many people believe that you can “truly” learn a foreign language only abroad, in the country of native speakers of that language. There is an opinion that abroad you can completely “immerse” yourself in the subject you are studying, create an ideal language environment etc. It turns out that to become a polyglot, you need to constantly travel around the world.

Is it true:

In fact, most polyglots say that they communicate a lot with native speakers of the language they are learning, are interested in their way of life, culture, etc. However, this does not mean that people studying foreign languages ​​travel 365 days a year. Technologies allow every person to communicate with people from any country without leaving home. Visit the language exchange sites listed in this article. On them you can find someone to talk to from the USA, Great Britain, Australia, and any other country. Polyglots take advantage of this same opportunity and successfully learn new languages. In the article "" we provided 15 tips for creating a language environment for learning English in your native country.

You can recreate an immersion environment at home, by streaming movies, listening to podcasts, playing music, and reading in your target language... all you need is an internet connection.

You can immerse yourself in a language environment at home by watching movies, listening to podcasts and music, reading in your target language... all you need is an internet connection.

Myth #7: Polyglots have a lot of money

This myth is closely related to the previous two: people believe that polyglots do not work, but only travel. In addition, people think that polyglots constantly spend large sums on educational materials: they buy tutorials and dictionaries, take expensive lessons from native-speaking teachers, and travel abroad for language courses. People believe that polyglots have a lot of money and therefore opportunities to learn foreign languages.

Is it true:

At the time of writing this article, “millionaire” and “polyglot” are not identical concepts. As we have already found out, polyglots are not on a continuous journey and among them there are many who are just like you and me, ordinary working people. It’s just that those who want to know many languages ​​use every opportunity to gain knowledge. It should be said that we have a lot of such opportunities: from all kinds of courses to thousands of educational Internet resources. For example, you can learn English on the Internet completely free of charge, and to make it easier for you to find the necessary sites, we constantly write articles with collections of tips and useful resources to develop certain skills. Subscribe to our newsletter and you won't miss important information.

Secrets of polyglots: how to learn foreign languages

1. Set yourself a clear goal

Learning a foreign language "because everyone else is learning it" won't last long, so decide why you need to know it. The goal can be anything: from serious, for example, to get a position in a prestigious company, to entertaining, like “I want to understand what Sting sings about.” The main thing is that your goal motivates you and in every possible way strengthens your desire to learn English. To strengthen your desire to learn a language, we advise you to read our articles “” and “”.

2. At the beginning of your studies, take at least a few lessons from a teacher

We've all read about how polyglots master any language on their own. However, many polyglots write blogs and often indicate that they started learning the language with a teacher, and after learning the basics they moved on to independent learning. We recommend doing the same: the teacher will help you lay a solid foundation of knowledge, and you can build subsequent “floors” yourself if you wish. If you decide to follow this advice, we suggest you try it with one of our experienced teachers. We can help you “promote” English to any level of knowledge.

3. Speak out loud from the first day of learning a new language

Even if you are learning your first ten words, say them out loud, this way you will remember the vocabulary better. In addition, you will gradually develop correct pronunciation. From the very first day, look for interlocutors to communicate with. For beginners, an ideal “partner” for development oral speech There will be a professional teacher, and from the level you can look for an interlocutor on language exchange sites and hone your speaking skills with a native speaker. Please note: almost all polyglots claim that the most effective and interesting method of learning a new language is communicating with native speakers. At the same time, polyglots say that during communication, words and grammatical structures are easier to remember: you do not force yourself to study them, but remember them during an interesting conversation.

My absolute favorite language learning activity is talking to people! And it turns out, that’s pretty convenient, because that’s the whole reason we learn languages ​​anyway, right? We learn the language in order to use it. And since language is a skill, the best way to learn it is by using it.

My favorite activity in language learning is communicating with people! And it turns out that this is quite convenient, because this is the reason we learn languages, right? We learn a language in order to use it. And since language is a skill, The best way improve it - use it.

4. Learn phrases, not individual words.

Watch this video by Luca Lampariello, he talks about how to learn new words (you can turn on Russian or English subtitles in the settings).

5. Don't get bogged down in theoretical grammar.

But this advice must be understood correctly, because lately the opinion that English grammar is unnecessary knowledge has been actively discussed on the Internet. Allegedly, for communication it is enough to know three simple tenses and a lot of words. However, in the article “” we explained why this opinion is fundamentally wrong. What do polyglots mean? They encourage us to pay less attention to theory, and more to practical exercises, the use of grammatical structures in oral and writing. Therefore, immediately after familiarizing yourself with the theory, proceed to practice: do translation exercises, grammar tests, use the studied structures in speech.

6. Get used to the sound of new speech

I love to listen to podcasts, interviews, audiobooks or even music in my target language while walking or driving. This makes efficient use of my time and I don’t feel like I’m making any particular kind of effort.

I love listening to podcasts, interviews, audio books, or even music in the language I'm learning while I'm walking or driving. This allows me to use my time effectively without feeling like I'm making any special effort.

7. Read texts in the target language

While reading texts, you see how the grammar you are studying “works” in speech and how new words “cooperate” with each other. At the same time, you use visual memory, which allows you to remember useful phrases. On the Internet you can find texts in any language for beginners, so you need to start reading from the very first days of learning the language. Some polyglots advise practicing, for example, reading text in parallel in Russian and English. This way you can see how sentences are constructed in the language you are learning. In addition, polyglots claim that this allows them to wean themselves from the harmful habit of translating speech word for word from their native language into the target language.

8. Improve your pronunciation

9. Make mistakes

“Get out of your comfort zone!” - this is what polyglots call us to. If you are afraid to speak the language you are learning or struggle to express yourself in simple phrases to avoid mistakes, then you deliberately create an obstacle for yourself to improve your knowledge. Don’t be shy about making mistakes in the language you’re learning, and if you’re so tormented by perfectionism, take a look at RuNet. Native speakers of the Russian language, without a shadow of embarrassment, write words like “potential” (potential), adykvatny (adequate), “pain and numbness” (more or less), etc. We urge you to take an example from their courage, but at the same time try to take into account your own mistakes and eradicate them. At the same time, polyglots remind us of how children learn to speak their native language: they begin to speak with mistakes, adults correct them, and over time the child begins to speak correctly. Do the same: it's okay to learn from your mistakes!

Make at least two hundred mistakes a day. I want to actually use this language, mistakes or not.

Make at least two hundred mistakes a day. I want to use this language, with or without errors.

10. Exercise regularly

The main secret of polyglots is diligent study. There is not a single person among them who would say: “I studied English once a week and learned the language in 5 months.” On the contrary, polyglots, as a rule, are in love with learning languages, so they devoted all their time to it free time. We are sure that anyone can find 3-4 hours a week to study, and if you have the opportunity to study for 1 hour a day, any language will conquer you.

11. Develop your memory

The better your memory is, the easier it will be to remember new words and phrases. Learning a foreign language in itself is an excellent memory training, and to make this training more productive, use different ways language learning. For example, solving is a fun and useful activity for both learning and memory. - another good idea for training: you can learn the lyrics of your favorite hit by heart, this way you will remember several useful phrases.

12. Follow the example of successful people

Polyglots are always open to new ways of learning; they do not stand still, but are interested in the experiences of other people who successfully learn foreign languages. We have devoted several articles to some of the most famous polyglots; you can read about the experience of learning languages, or study.

13. Curb your appetite

The variety of materials allows you not to get bored and enjoy learning a foreign language, but at the same time, we advise you not to “spray yourself”, but to focus on some specific methods. For example, if on Monday you took one textbook, on Tuesday you grabbed a second one, on Wednesday you studied on one site, on Thursday on another, on Friday you watched a video lesson, and on Saturday you sat down to read a book, then by Sunday you risk getting “porridge” there is an abundance of material in your head, because their authors use different principles for presenting information. Therefore, as soon as you start learning a new language, determine the optimal set of textbooks, websites and video lessons. There shouldn’t be 10-20 of them; limit your “appetite”, otherwise scattered information will be poorly absorbed. You will find ideas for choosing materials that suit you in our article “”, where you can download a free list of the “best” materials for learning a language.

14. Enjoy learning

Among the famous polyglots there is not a single person who would say: “Learning languages ​​is boring, I don’t like to do it, but I want to know many languages, so I have to force myself.” How do polyglots learn languages? These people enjoy not just the understanding that they know a foreign language, but also the learning process itself. Do you think studying is boring? Then use interesting language learning techniques. For example, or is unlikely to seem boring to anyone.

Languages ​​are not something one should study, but rather live, breathe and enjoy.

Languages ​​are not something to be learned, but rather something to be lived, breathed and enjoyed.

Now you know how polyglots learn languages. As you have seen, everyone can learn foreign languages, regardless of “giftedness” and the number of banknotes. There is nothing complicated in the advice of polyglots on learning languages; all techniques are accessible to anyone and are easily applied in practice. Try to follow these recommendations and enjoy learning.