Even though everyone has to take obligatory language classes in high school or university, some people find it much easier to learn a new language than other people. There are many reasons why some people find it easy to learn French or Spanish. It can also depend on the age when you start learning, etc. Here are some of the reasons why some people learn languages more easily than others.
Why Is It Easier for Some People to Learn Languages?
They study a lot
This might sound like the most annoying (but true!) thing to say but you have to have dedication to learn a new language. You can’t expect to learn French or German if you listen to one 5 minute video once a week. You need to stay assiduous if you want to advance at a good pace. There are so many resources available online that it’s impossible not to find something that works for you. You can download all these free apps and practice on your way to work in the bus or subway when you’re waiting in the dentist’s office when you wait for your water to boil when you’re cooking pasta…
Yes, some people learn languages more easily than others. But maybe it’s because they work harder for it! If you need some extra motivation, be sure to check out this free learning guide.
They have great memory skills
Ok, so some research actually shows that some brains are not wired to learn languages and retain linguistic skills. According to a research, just with a brain scan, they can tell who can learn languages easily. Polyglots have some great learning skills because they are used to it, they have memorization techniques that are much more interesting techniques than the ones used in schools for example.
They are genuinely interested in learning new languages
Being forced to learn a new language at school can be painful and feel like real torture. If you learn a language because you want to, then that’s different. You’ll want to push yourself and get more fluent because it interests you. People who learn languages more easily will want to study a lot. Some people learn languages more easily because they already learned new ones!
They practice (and practice, and practice…)
Of course, you need to practice if you want to get better. People always complain they have to travel far away to really practice their French or their Spanish but this isn’t necessarily true. You can find online courses with private teachers, local discussion groups in your city, get a pen pal who wants to learn your language, there are many more resources, you just have to do a little bit of research. You can even go to local ethnic restaurants and practice with the cooks and waiters there. The possibilities are limitless. Of course, it’s great and convenient if you have a good friend learning the same language but if you find yourself a discussion group, you’ll make even more friends!
And don’t forget online resources like language learning apps. Babbel offers great written and oral exercises that will help you practice between two online courses.
They immerse themselves in the culture
People that learn languages are usually very interested in the culture linked to the language. They will start watching television shows, movies, talk shows, and listen to music from this culture. It is much easier to learn a language if you’re interested in the food, politics, entertainment industry and history of the country. People that learn French will start watching great 1960 French New Wave movies or listen to French rap and start reading newspapers or blogs about what’s happening in the Francophone world. A language becomes much more interesting if you know more about the whole culture around it.
Yes, some people learn languages more easily than others. But you can become one of them! And did you know that some actors and actresses are polyglot as well?
