How to maximize the number of languages one can learn to C1/C2 in a lifetime.

Discussion in 'The language learning methods of Big_Dog' started by Big_Dog, Mar 2, 2014.

  1. Big_Dog

    Big_Dog Administrator Staff Member

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    Several years ago I was thinking it would be really nice to be able to communicate in lots of languages. I think it was about the time I was learning Japanese, my fifth language. I wanted to add Mandarin, French and Russian. At the time, I was overwhelmed with Japanese. I didn’t see an end to it, and I didn’t feel like I was where I wanted to be in the languages I already “knew”. I thought knowing many languages to a high level would be impossible for me.

    Eventually I started to believe it was possible, at least for some people. I started visiting a lot of language forums, and reading about some impressive polyglots. I got proof of this on YouTube too. There are several polyglots, like Luca Lampariello, Richard Simcott and Steve Kaufmann, who can speak many languages at a high level. These things rekindled my desire to speak more languages, and improve the ones I already knew. I began to ask myself, and others, questions. How do they do it? Does it take special talent? What have they done that I haven’t? The following is not necessarily what I’ve done, but what I recommend based on several years of experimenting and making good progress in several languages.

    Learn one language at a time. Learning languages is very time consuming. The more time you can give to a new language, the more you can progress. It’s not necessary to completely give up your other languages. Use them, but don’t learn them.

    Learn a language to C1/C2 before starting a new one. You want to get completely out of the business of maintaining languages in order to maximize your time learning. When you reach C1/C2, no maintenance is required. Don’t learn a bunch of languages to the A and B levels, because you will need to spend lot’s of time maintaining them. I have 5 languages in the B’s right now, so I have learned the hard way. Now I’m planning to take them all to C1, one at a time, so that I can free up some time to learn more languages.

    Spend as much time as you can learning. The more time you spend learning, the faster you can reach C1/C2 and the more years you’ll have to learn other languages. The fastest learners can reach this level in 1 to 3 years, depending on the language.

    Use the most effective method possible. The better the method, the faster you learn, and the more years you’ll have to learn other languages. There are many methods out there. I’m fond of Synergy. But it’s important to find one that’s effective for you, because not all learners are the same.

    Work in a field that requires the use of your languages. This is one more way to get more time on task.

    Get a background in linguistics. Particularly useful would be to fully understand the technical side of pronunciation. That way, when you read about your target language, you will know how the sounds are supposed to be made. Also, a strong knowledge of grammatical terms is very useful.


    How many languages can you learn and use permanently at a C1/C2 level?
    I don’t know, but it’s a fun question to think about. Of the polyglots I’ve actually seen, most of whom are on YouTube, I’m not sure anyone has demonstrated over 10 or 15 languages at this level. But I think it’s quite possible for someone with sufficient study time to learn well over 20. Personally, my lifetime goal is 12 at this point.
    Mick33 and luke like this.
  2. Cavesa

    Cavesa New Member

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    Nice post, I totally agree with some of the points but I think differently about a few:

    -You need to maintain your C level languages as well. It's much less difficult in many ways but you need to do it. I could write several articles about various ways even the advanced languages deteriorate without the proper care. After all, there are many people who lost their native languages after moving abroad and not using them.

    -I don't think the necessary "proper" goal is the C1/C2. There is usually a lot of disagreement between the americans and the europeans which is based on different mentality and geographical and cultural conditions (slightly stereotypical, my apologies, but it is usually true):

    americans go for high results and usability, they tend to be a lot more "goal driven" and aiming for success. They don't need many languages. They've got the best native language in terms of international usability and they've got only two/three more official languages on their whole continent (Spanish, French, Portuguese). They need high levels so that people don't switch to English.
    x
    europeans tend to be more "fun driven" even though the languages are much more needed here. Most europeans don't have English as their native language and learn one or two foreign languages at school (even though the results of the learning through the system are usually quite weak). Europeans can profit immensely even from A1/A2 touristy knowledge since another language is just a few hundred kms away and there are so many on the continent. In lots of profesional fields, B1 or B2 is considered sufficient.

    Of course, the situation changes drastically if you want to spend months or years somewhere, than the C1/C2 should be the goal (even though many countries settle for B2 when it comes to accepting immigrants and foreign profesionals)

    -"not all learners are equal", that sounds weird :-D. I think "not the same" would sound much better. Because in the end, we are equal. We need tons of time to get results, we need to find our prefered methods and so on.

    -only one language at a time? Well, I think there's the american point of view I've already described he.
    1.Most europeans don't learn one but two foreign languages at school. The lack of success of the overall population is not caused by the fact there are two and not just one, the trouble lies elsewhere
    2.Depends on your free time. But some people prefer to do two at once intensivelly, some manage to learn more. Some polyglots, like prof. Arguelles do several languages every day. I'd say it's a highly individual matter even though it is undeniable true that you will reach the desired results faster if you don't spread yourself too thin
  3. Big_Dog

    Big_Dog Administrator Staff Member

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    Did you read my post on maintaining languages? It addresses some of your concerns. I agree it's not zero, but for me, a few hours a year is sufficient.

    Because you missed the whole point of the post, I renamed it for clarity. It's about learning many languages to a high level. It's not meant to be critical of learning languages to a lower level.

    I agree, and changed it.
    Mick33 likes this.
  4. cm.1

    cm.1 Guest

    Well that depends how busy one is. I mean I could believe that one could learn up to maybe 10 languages to a high level if he or she uses and works with languages on a daily basis, but otherwise I think it just might only be possible to learn like maximum a few languages to a higher level, but again it depends.

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