How Long Does it Take to Become Fluent in Another Language?
How long does it take to become fluent in another language? A question I get often that I both love and dread. I love it because the real answer is interesting to me and I enjoy sharing the challenges and adventures that come with language learning. I dread it because the real answer is not […]
How Learning a Language Supercharges Your Brain
Learning a new language is often seen as a key to unlocking new cultures, expanding career opportunities, and broadening your world view. But did you know that it also has profound effects on your brain? From improving cognitive function to delaying the onset of neurodegenerative diseases, the process of acquiring a new language rewires your […]
Does Learning a Language Require Talent?
This week, we read an interesting Substack article by Laura Fraser, a friend and former student of ABC Languages. In her article, she delightfully explored the question: Does learning languages require talent? It’s a simple but fair question. And her answer and our answer might give you some relief. First, we want to encourage you […]
How Long Does it Take to Dream in Another Language?
Learning a new language is a fascinating journey filled with milestones, one of which is the moment you catch yourself dreaming in that language. But how long does it take to reach this intriguing stage? Let’s explore the factors that influence this phenomenon and what it signifies in your language learning adventure. The Science Behind […]
Speak to Your New In-Laws With Confidence
Have you ever felt nervous about meeting your new in-laws because of a language barrier? Imagine the warmth of family gatherings, the clinking of glasses, and the laughter around the dinner table. In this article, we explore how learning their language can help you build a strong relationship with them. Learning a new language can […]
Go Forth and Conjugate!
[CW] When some people think of verb conjugations, they get a little nervous. All of those endings, the spelling changes, the irregulars… English, if it’s your native language, seems so much simpler. All you do is stick an -s or –es on the he/she/it forms, and Bob’s your uncle. That’s still a conjugation, of course, even if it’s a simplified […]
Finding Your Second Language
Finding your second language: An invitation to compare yourself to…yourself There is a wonderful article in the New Yorker about hyperpolyglots (those who speak at least 6 languages) that is worth a look-see. Hyperpolyglots are basically the Olympic-level champions of language acquisition. A fascinating world to say the least! And just like their athletic counterparts, they have […]
Grammar – How to Learn It, Use It and Maybe Even Love It!
If you are one of the many people who have tried out language programs that promise “no pesky verb conjugations or noun declensions” but find yourself wanting to figure out the patterns, you’re not alone! Poor grammar has gotten such a bad rap that a no-grammar approach has become a marketing catchphrase. How did that […]
Go Forth and Conjugate!
[CW] When some people think of verb conjugations, they get a little nervous. All of those endings, the spelling changes, the irregulars… English, if it’s your native language, seems so much simpler. All you do is stick an -s or –es on the he/she/it forms, and Bob’s your uncle. That’s still a conjugation, of course, even if it’s a simplified […]
Are we fluent yet? Taking the Zen Road to language learning.
(Image Source: pixabay.com) [EZ] Let’s just get this out of the way right now, learning a language takes, well, a while. If you put yourself into the proverbial language learning car and after 5 minutes ask, “are we fluent yet?” I can tell you right now, this is going to be a long and arduous […]
“Fast, Easy, Fun and Free!”
If you’re like many of us, you have a foreign language story. More often than not, it’s an unsuccessful experience in high school or college that left you with a few words of French or Spanish, and the depressing feeling that you were the problem. You just didn’t seem to “get” a foreign language. And […]
Learning Vocabulary
Learning vocabulary is obviously an important part of learning a language. In some ways, it’s also the most boring part, because it really just comes down to memorization. And memorization can be tedious. But memorization is really the first part of the process; to move new vocabulary from your short term memory into your long […]