How to learn any language in six months | Chris Lonsdale | TEDxLingnanUniversity

TEDx Talks
20 Nov 201318:26
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn a thought-provoking TED Talk, the speaker shares a personal journey of linguistic mastery, revealing how he became fluent in Mandarin Chinese within six months, challenging traditional notions of language learning. He dismantles myths surrounding talent and immersion as prerequisites for language acquisition, instead presenting five key principles and seven actionable strategies that promise fluency in a new language in just six months. Drawing on psychological research and personal anecdotes, the talk underscores the importance of relevant, engaging learning processes and the power of physiological training. This inspiring narrative not only expands our understanding of human potential but also equips us with practical tools for overcoming language barriers, fostering global communication and understanding.

Takeaways
  • 😃 Speeding up learning can significantly reduce the time spent in traditional educational settings.
  • 📚 Hypnopaedia, or sleep-learning, sparked initial curiosity but ultimately proved ineffective, leading to further research in learning.
  • 💯 Applying psychological research to learning can drastically improve language acquisition speeds.
  • 💻 Modelling, or learning from those who have already mastered a skill, is key to rapid learning.
  • 👨‍💻 Any adult can learn a new language to fluency within six months with the right approach.
  • 📱 Dispelling myths: Talent is not a prerequisite for learning, and immersion alone does not guarantee language acquisition.
  • ✨ Five principles for effective learning include attention, meaning, relevance, memory, and physiological training.
  • 🔊 Listening extensively to a new language ('brain soaking') helps with natural acquisition, even without initial comprehension.
  • 📖 Utilizing a language as a tool from day one encourages practical learning and retention.
  • 👨‍💻 Having a 'language parent' to provide safe, comprehensible input accelerates learning.
  • ✍‍💻 Direct connection between new words and personal imagery or sensations is more effective than translation for memorization.
Q & A

  • What is the central question the speaker has been pondering for many years?

    -The central question the speaker has been pondering is 'How can you speed up learning?'

  • Why did the speaker write a letter to researchers in the Soviet Union at the age of 11?

    -The speaker wrote a letter to researchers in the Soviet Union at the age of 11 to inquire about hypnopaedia, a sleep-learning method, because he was curious about ways to learn faster.

  • What misconception does the speaker address about learning a new language?

    -The speaker addresses the misconception that one needs talent or immersion in a new country to learn a language effectively.

  • According to the speaker, what are the five core principles for language learning?

    -The five core principles for language learning are attention, meaning, relevance, memory, and using the language as a tool to communicate from day one.

  • What does the speaker claim is possible for any adult learning a second language?

    -The speaker claims that any adult can learn a second language to fluency within six months by following the right principles and actions.

  • What is 'comprehensible input' and why is it important in language learning?

    -Comprehensible input is the process of understanding a language when the message is clear but the words are slightly beyond one's current level. It is important because it allows for unconscious acquisition of the language, similar to how children learn their first language.

  • How does the speaker suggest one should start learning a new language?

    -The speaker suggests starting by listening a lot, or 'brain soaking', focusing on getting the meaning before the words, and then beginning to mix simple words to create sentences.

  • What is the role of a 'language parent' in language learning according to the speaker?

    -A 'language parent' provides a safe and supportive environment for learning. They work hard to understand the learner's meaning, do not correct mistakes, provide feedback without direct correction, and use words that the learner knows.

  • Why is the psycho-physiological state important for language learning?

    -The psycho-physiological state is important because if a learner is sad, angry, worried, or upset, they will not learn effectively. However, if they are happy, relaxed, and in a state of curiosity, they will learn more quickly and efficiently.

  • What does the speaker mean by 'direct connect' in language learning?

    -'Direct connect' refers to the process of associating new words in the target language with existing images and memories in the learner's mind, creating a more efficient and natural way of remembering and using the language.

  • What are the seven actions the speaker suggests for language learning?

    -The seven actions are: listening a lot (brain soaking), getting the meaning first before words, starting to mix words creatively, focusing on high-frequency content (core words), using the language as a tool from the beginning, finding a language parent, copying the face (observing native speakers' expressions), and using 'direct connect' to associate new words with existing memories.

Outlines
00:00
🤔 The Quest for Accelerated Learning

The speaker begins by introducing a lifelong question that has shaped their identity and thinking: How can one speed up learning? This question emerges from the speaker's childhood dissatisfaction with the conventional schooling system, which often seemed to hinder rather than help learning. The speaker recounts an early fascination with hypnopaedia, or sleep-learning, which, despite its ineffectiveness, sparked a broader interest in learning methods. This curiosity led to a deep engagement with psychology and a self-imposed challenge to achieve fluency in Chinese within two years during the 1980s—a time when mastering Chinese as a Westerner was deemed extremely difficult. By applying psychological research to learning, the speaker achieved fluency in Mandarin in just six months, significantly faster than conventional expectations. This personal achievement refined the speaker's question into how to help adults learn new languages quickly, easily, and effectively—an important skill in addressing global challenges through improved communication.

05:02
🌏 Breaking Language Learning Myths

This segment debunks two common myths about language learning: the necessity of innate talent and the efficacy of immersion without guidance. The speaker shares the story of Zoe, who, despite initial struggles and criticism regarding her ability to learn Dutch, became fluent in Portuguese within six months by applying five key principles of language learning. This anecdote serves to refute the notion that talent is essential for language acquisition. Additionally, the speaker argues that mere immersion in a new country is not sufficient for learning a language, as evidenced by many expatriates who live in foreign countries for years without learning the local language. The speaker posits that without understanding and engagement, immersion can be ineffective, akin to a drowning person being unable to learn to swim. The focus then shifts to the importance of comprehension and meaningful interaction in the learning process.

10:02
📚 Five Principles of Effective Language Learning

The speaker outlines five fundamental principles for successful language learning, emphasizing the interconnectedness of attention, meaning, relevance, and memory. By illustrating these concepts through a metaphorical journey through a forest, the speaker highlights how survival-relevant information naturally captivates attention and aids in memory retention. These principles converge on the idea that language content must be relevant to the learner. The narrative also touches upon the significance of tools in learning, using the story of a colleague who mastered typing in Chinese under pressure as an example of the rapid acquisition of relevant skills. Additionally, the speaker advocates for using the target language as a tool for communication from day one, drawing parallels to how children learn language. The segment concludes by asserting that understanding the message is key to unconscious language acquisition, supported by research on comprehensible input.

15:03
🛠️ Seven Actions to Language Mastery

Building on the five principles, the speaker introduces seven actionable steps towards achieving fluency in a new language within six months. These actions include immersing oneself in the language (brain soaking), focusing on understanding meaning before words, and actively mixing language elements to communicate. The speaker stresses the importance of focusing on high-frequency content, using the language as a tool from the outset, and embracing physiological training to accurately produce sounds. A notable strategy is finding a 'language parent'—someone who encourages and supports the learner in a comprehensible and non-judgmental manner. The concept of 'copying the face' to master pronunciation and the innovative 'direct connect' method of associating new words with existing mental imagery are also highlighted. The speaker concludes with a message of empowerment, emphasizing that adherence to these principles and actions enables anyone to overcome perceived limitations and achieve fluency in a new language swiftly.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Speed up learning
Speed up learning refers to the process of making the acquisition of knowledge or skills faster and more efficient. In the context of the video, the speaker is intrigued by how one can reduce the time spent on learning, potentially eliminating the need for traditional schooling. This concept is central to the narrative as the speaker explores various methods and principles to accelerate learning, using language acquisition as a primary example.
💡Hypnopaedia
Hypnopaedia, or sleep-learning, is a learning concept where it is believed that information can be learned by listening to audio recordings while asleep. The speaker initially explored this method in his quest to accelerate learning but found that it was ineffective. However, this early interest in hypnopaedia led him to further research in learning and psychology, ultimately contributing to his broader understanding of learning processes.
💡Comprehensible input
Comprehensible input is a key concept in language learning, introduced by Stephen Krashen, suggesting that learners best acquire language when they understand the messages they hear. In the video, the speaker emphasizes this principle, showing that understanding content that is slightly above the current level of comprehension can significantly enhance learning. This method was highlighted as more effective than traditional grammar and vocabulary studies.
💡Physiological training
Physiological training in the context of learning languages refers to the physical aspect of language acquisition, such as the ability to hear and produce new sounds. The speaker discusses the necessity of training one's hearing to recognize unfamiliar sounds and training the muscles involved in speech to produce those sounds accurately. This is crucial for mastering pronunciation and understanding spoken language, as highlighted by the speaker's experiences.
💡Language parent
A language parent is someone who helps a language learner by communicating in the target language in a way that is comprehensible and supportive, much like how parents communicate with their young children. The speaker advocates for finding a language parent as a key strategy for learning a new language, emphasizing the importance of a safe, nurturing environment for effective language acquisition.
💡Modeling
Modeling is a learning strategy where the learner observes and imitates others who are proficient in a skill or behavior. In the video, the speaker discusses modeling in the context of language learning, suggesting that by observing and imitating people who are successful in learning languages, one can identify and replicate the effective strategies and principles they use.
💡Core vocabulary
Core vocabulary refers to the most commonly used words in a language, which constitute a significant percentage of everyday speech. The speaker mentions that focusing on high-frequency content—learning a core vocabulary of a few thousand words—can cover the majority of what is needed for daily communication. This approach is recommended for efficient language learning, as it prioritizes practicality and relevance.
💡Tolerance of ambiguity
Tolerance of ambiguity involves being comfortable with uncertainty and incompleteness in learning, particularly when one does not understand every word in a new language. The speaker highlights this as a crucial attitude for language learners, as it allows them to remain relaxed and receptive, improving their ability to absorb and learn from the input they do understand.
💡Direct connect
Direct connect is a method of learning new words and concepts by directly associating them with one's own experiences and sensory memories, rather than translating them from one's mother tongue. The speaker suggests that this technique allows for more efficient memory and recall, as it builds on existing cognitive structures and internal representations.
💡Brain soaking
Brain soaking is the process of immersing oneself in the sounds of a language without actively trying to understand it. This approach, mentioned by the speaker, involves listening to a vast amount of language input to familiarize oneself with the rhythm, patterns, and sounds of the language. It's suggested as a foundational step in language learning, allowing the brain to unconsciously absorb the linguistic structure.
Highlights

The speaker has been curious about speeding up learning for many years, viewing it as a way to potentially reduce or eliminate the need for traditional schooling.

Introduced to the concept of hypnopaedia or sleep-learning at a young age, the speaker's interest in alternative learning methods began with the failure of this technique, prompting further exploration into learning.

The speaker's journey into psychology and language learning began with an ambitious goal to become fluent in Mandarin within two years, a task considered extremely challenging at the time.

Utilizing psychological research to inform his learning process, the speaker achieved fluency in Mandarin in just six months, challenging prevailing notions about language acquisition.

The speaker refined his question to how normal adults can learn a new language quickly, easily, and effectively, emphasizing the importance of this skill in addressing global challenges.

By modeling successful language learners and principles, the speaker asserts that any adult can learn a second language to fluency within six months.

The speaker debunks the myths that talent is necessary for language learning and that immersion alone is an effective strategy.

Five principles for language learning are introduced: attention to relevant content, using language as a communication tool from day one, understanding the message before the language, physiological training, and maintaining a positive psycho-physiological state.

The concept of 'brain soaking' or extensive listening as a foundational action in language learning is emphasized.

The importance of getting meaning first, even without understanding the language fully, through body language and context.

Encourages learners to start mixing what they know, focusing on high-frequency content to maximize communication with limited vocabulary.

The need for a 'language parent' to create a safe, comprehensible input environment for the learner, akin to how children learn their first language.

Discusses the physiological aspects of language learning, such as training to hear and produce the sounds of the target language.

Introduces 'direct connect' as a method to associate new language sounds directly with mental images or concepts rather than translating from the mother tongue.

Concludes with the empowering message that control over language learning lies within the learner's actions and adherence to the outlined principles and actions.

Transcripts

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Language LearningRapid LearningEducational PsychologySelf ImprovementLearning PrinciplesCognitive ScienceFluency AchievementLanguage AcquisitionSkill DevelopmentLearning Myths