TED - The secrets of learning a new language | Lydia Machova
1. Discussion
a) How can the Internet be a helpful tool when learning a foreign
language?
b) Some people say that if you can teach something about your foreign
language, then it you to understand it better. Do you agree?
c) Have you ever tried learning a new language from a textbook with
audio tapes?
d) Is it good to sit an exam that shows your level in English?
e) What do you know about IELTS and TOEFL?
f) Can you learn a language by watching television?
g) Do you use free language-learning exercises on the Internet?
h) Have you ever paid for 1:1 lessons?
i) Would you like to be a translator? Why? / Why not?
j) Is the classroom the best place to learn?
k) Can a good teacher influence how well you enjoy learning a
language?
l) Is it possible to teach yourself a language?
m) What careers are possible if you speak a foreign language?
n) What languages would you like to learn in future?
o) What different techniques do you have for learning vocabulary?
2. Vocabulary. Complete the sentences using the words below.
approaches available random methods process
achieve enables motivates definitely unique
crucial
1. The one thing we have in common is that we found ways to enjoy the
language-learning ____________.
2. That is how polyglots learn languages, and the best news is, it's
____________ to anyone.
3. If you want to ____________ fluency in a foreign language, you need to
apply three principles.
4. You can talk to yourself in the comfort of your room, describing your
plans for the weekend, how your day has been, or even take a ____________
picture from your phone and describe the picture to your imaginary friend.
5. What ____________ polyglots to learn languages so much faster than other
people?
6. It's ____________ possible to make a visible improvement in two months, if
you learn in small chunks every day in a way that you enjoy.
7. And there is nothing that ____________ us more than our own success.
8. I asked a hundred different polyglots, I heard a hundred different
____________ to learning languages.
9. Everybody seems to have a ____________ way they learn a language, and
yet we all come to the same result of speaking several languages fluently.
10. Meeting other polyglots helped me realize that it is really ____________ to
find enjoyment in the process of learning languages.
11. So this is the whole polyglot secret. Find effective ____________ which you
can use systematically over the period of some time in a way which you
enjoy, and this is how polyglots learn languages within months, not years.
3. Watch the video and choose the correct answer.
1. How often does Lýdia learn a new language
a.) She learns a new language every year.
b.) She learns a new language every two years.
c.) She learns a new language every three years.
2. How many languages has she learned?
a.) She has learned 28 languages.
b.) She has learned 8 languages.
3. What are polyglots?
a.) Polyglots are large libraries.
b.) Polyglots are people who speak a lot of languages.
4. What question do people ask her?
a.) What is your favorite language?
b.) How do you learn languages so quickly?
5. What did Lýdia want to find out?
a.) She wanted to find out how polyglots learn languages so much faster
than other people.
b.) She wanted to find out the best way to learn a language.
6. How does her friend Benny learn a new language? What's his
method?
a.) He reads a lot of travel phrasebooks.
b.) He talks with people and makes mistakes and learns from their
feedback.
7. Where does Benny find people to have conversations with?
a.) local libraries, community colleges, and cafes
b.) online
8. True or False? Lýdia says that all of the polyglots she spoke to have
the same approach to learning a new language.
a.) True
b.) False
9. What did Lýdia realize that was really important?
a.) Polyglots follow time-tested methods to quickly learn new languages.
b.) The one thing polyglots have in common is that that they find ways to
enjoy the language-learning process.
10. Does Lýdia always use the same method when she learns a new
language?
a.) No. For example she started learning Spanish re-reading Harry Potter
and German by watching "Friends."
b.) Yes. AND, she has developed a system that anyone can use -- a system
that's available to everyone.
11. What is self-talk?
a.) Looking into a mirror and having a conversation with yourself.
b.) Talking out loud to yourself, for example describing your plans for the
weekend, or a picture from your phone.
12. Lýdia says it's important to "revise vocabulary" -- what does that
mean?
a.) To change words into different parts of speech.
b.) To review and repeat new vocabulary words so you remember them.
13. What is the best "system" for learning a new language?
a.) Incorporate enjoyable language learning activities into your daily routine.
b.) Sit down with a cup of tea and a calendar and create an 8-week plan for
studying as much as possible.
14. According to Lýdia, if you learn in small chunks every day in a way
that you enjoy, ____________.
a.) you'll definitely make visible progress within two months.
b.) you'll be able to learn a new language within two months.
