Partner Article

Dispelling 5 Myths About Language Learning

Four months into the year, many New Year’s resolutions will be hanging by a thread - at best. There will be plenty of excuses for this, but Lisa A. Frumkes, PhD, Senior Director of Language Learning at Rosetta Stone – the recognized industry leader when it comes to language learning - hopes to encourage all those who set out to learn a language not to give up: “There are so many benefits to learning a second language, whether it’s for business or pleasure. Language skills can improve job prospects and help developing businesses prosper. Developing skills can also be beneficial for mental wellbeing and strengthen your connections with other people and cultures.”

Lisa wants to dispel five myths that she believes put people off learning a language:

1. Some people just don’t have a knack for languages: “It’s true that some people have an easier time learning languages, just like some people have a gift for fixing things, or for picking up complex mathematical concepts. But anyone can learn a language. Have patience with yourself when you’re feeling stuck, and be willing to try new approaches to keep moving forward. Do some simple things like change your phone’s interface into the language you’re trying to learn; you’ll be amazed at how quickly you start shifting your mind into thinking – even in small bits and pieces – in that language.”

2. Only children can learn a second language, not adults: “Children definitely learn languages differently and they have more time to devote to it than adults do. But that doesn’t mean it’s easier for them to learn to communicate in another language. It’s never too late to learn. But if you did learn one language in your youth, and want to learn another now that you’re older, you might find it easier than someone who has never learned another language at all.”

3. You have to live in a foreign country to become fluent in a language: “Plenty of people go to live in a foreign country but never pick up the language, because they spend all their time talking to speakers of their own native language. If you’re willing to make contact with other speakers and learners of the language, either in your community or online, and really commit and focus on communicating with them, you can make great progress—whether you’re abroad or in your home town.”

4. Certain foreign languages are impossible to master: “Some languages like French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, and Swedish are quicker for English speakers to learn, because the vocabulary and structures of the language are similar to English. But that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t tackle languages like Russian, Arabic, Japanese, or Mandarin. It just means you’ll have to work a little harder and longer to make the same progress. The important thing is to choose a language that you truly want to learn, because that desire will keep you motivated to keep going.”

5. It’s impossible to become conversational in a second language inside of a year: “If you put in the time - say, thirty minutes a day - on your language, most days of the week, and it’s good, focused practice, you can definitely keep up your end of simple conversations in a year.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rosetta Stone Enterprise and Education .