Learning a Second Language

“Gold scissors cut the ribbon and set them loose
On the opening day the vibrations will shake your bones
I suppose that’s the disadvantage
Of not speaking a second language”

Wire, ‘French Film Blurred’ from the album Chairs Missing

The Latest Language Learning Posts

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  The Best YouTube Videos for Learning Chinese: Your Ultimate Guide
  Learning Chinese isn’t easy. It’s much harder if you aren’t in China and don’t have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language. You could run down to your nearest Chinatown and try chatting with the local restauranteurs, but chances are their Chinese is going to be way above your level and way too fast. Or they might speak Cantonese while you’re trying to study Mandarin. What’s a frustrated Chinese language learner to do? Please leave this field emptyWant more? join the email list! We keep your data private and share your data only with third parties that make this service… Read more: The Best YouTube Videos for Learning Chinese: Your Ultimate Guide
• 
  How I learned Chinese (and So Can You)
  So, you’re thinking of learning Chinese, are you? Great idea. Not only is it a fascinating language, but it’s also spoken by over a billion people. Learning Chinese will give you insight into the enthralling, large, sometimes beguiling nation of China. Get ready to open the doors to one of the world’s great, historic cultures.
• How to Talk to People Who Don’t Speak English Good
  As the world grows smaller, it’s more important than ever to learn how to talk with people who don’t speak English as a first language. My fellow Americans, I have some disappointing truth to share with you. Not everyone in the world speaks English as their first language. I know, I know, it’s shameful and utterly un-American. Don’t worry though, there are currently 1.5 billion English language learners in the world. Unfortunately, those 1.5 billion people are going to speak English at different levels. These range from those who can barely say “good morning” to people who will say “I… Read more: How to Talk to People Who Don’t Speak English Good
• 
  Bad Advice: Things You Shouldn’t Do When Learning Chinese
  There is a lot of bad advice out there about learning Chinese. Most of it comes from professional bloggers and influencers who seem to be dedicated to convincing the rest of us we’re losers for not working five hours a week, living in Bali, and knowing twenty languages. It’s okay. You’re not a loser, you’ve just been getting bad advice. Now, to be fair, I’m not a linguist or an expert on cognitive brain function or anything like that. I’m just a guy trying to learn Chinese. And even though I’m getting better and better, I’m still far from fluent.
• Studying Chinese in China
  You would think that after two years of living in China and studying Chinese almost every day, I’d be pretty good by now. I’m not. I can order food and get the gist of some of the simpler Peppa Pig episodes. But I still can’t understand what my elderly neighbors are shouting at me as I walk into the elevator. In the hopes that one day I might understand their warnings that the elevator is broken and avoid a fall to my death, I’ve been spending my free time in China taking Chinese classes.

Why Learn Another Language?

It’s Fun

It sounds strange to say considering how much work it is, but learning another language is actually really fun. Your high school Spanish speaker might disagree, but she doesn’t know what she’s talking bout. Language learning can become a hobby. And there are few greater non-chemical-induced buzzes than the moment when you first have a real conversation with a native speaker.

You’ll Get More Smarter

Learning another language exercises your brain in a lot of ways. Sure, you can just do some sudoku, but then you’d miss out on all the other benefits of knowing multiple languages. Plus, studies are now saying that knowing a second language can help delay dementia and Alzheimers.

Richer Travel Experience

English is now, for better or worse, the global language of tourism. That’s a blessing and a curse for us native speakers. But even though you can get by with English in most places, whether you are just traveling on a short trip or you’re taking the plunge to move abroad, knowing the local language is going to make things a million times better. You’ll gain insights and experiences you never would have otherwise. Also, it makes simple things like ordering food and getting the bus so much more relaxed and stress-free.

You Can Gossip About People Behind Their Backs

Pretend for a moment you’re an American, like me. Only one in four of our compatriots can hold a conversation in another language. You could talk shit about 75% of people and they have no way to understand what you’re saying. How cool would that be? I am gleefully memorizing all the Chinese insults I can so I can fling them at my bewildered countrymen when I go back home.

General Language Learning Tips

Study Every Day

Make a commitment to study your new language. Every. Single. Day. Ten minutes a day is far better than three hours once a week. Obviously, the more time you can spend the better, but it’s important to develop a consistent daily habit.

Start with Frequently Used Vocabulary

You may have heard something along the lines that you can understand 85% of a language if you learn the 1000 most frequently used words. This is a helpful goal to shoot for when you’re first starting out. However, you’ll quickly find it isn’t nearly enough to have an actual conversation with someone.

Don’t Just Rely on Apps

There are millions of helpful apps and software out there for learning languages. I’m a big fan of Anki, for example. There are also quite a few stinkers. However, even the best Apps will only get you so far. If you really want to learn a language, you’ll have to start reading, watching, and talking to people.

Noone can give you a language, you have to put in the work and claim it for yourself!

So far, I think Fluent Forever is probably the best practical guide book I’ve read about learning languages. It outlines a pretty easy to follow method, and is full of a lot of good practical advice that I’ve used when learning languages on my own. (Just ignore the part where he writes about working for the CIA.)

Learning Chinese

Check out my guide on How To Learn Chinese

I’ve shared my personal experience going from being an absolute Chinese beginner to being able to discuss such complex topics as my favorite Harry Potter movie in Mandarin. Hopefully, my experience can help you to learn Chinese as much as it’s helped me.

How I Learned Chinese and So Can You

If you don’t have time for a detailed guide, check out these other more general learning Chinese tips…

Learn the Tones

Chinese is a tonal language, which means that the character “ma” can mean “horse” or “mother” depending on the tone you use. The tones aren’t that hard to learn, but they’re difficult to master. Try to learn them from the beginning, as best you can.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Characters

The Chinese writing system is drastically different from English. It’s also one of the most beautiful and interesting aspects of the Chinese language. You’re doing yourself a huge disservice if you neglect to learn the characters. Once you start to get a grasp on Chinese characters, you’ll open up a whole world of reading and a deeper understanding of the language.

I think Skritter is a fantastic App for learning Chinese characters. (p.s. I get a small commission if you buy the app. Thanks!)

Chinese is Difficult

There’s no two ways about it; Chinese is a difficult language, especially for those of us who grew up speaking European languages. Don’t expect to just pick it up by visiting or even living in China.

But also, don’t let yourself get frustrated if your progress isn’t as fast as you’d hoped. Put in the work, and it’ll be that much more satisfying when you can finally say “我会中文!”