Research shows that learning a second language is like superfood for the brain. Experts say we’re predisposed to be multilingual. So why do so many smart people think learning a second language is impossible?

“Oh, I see”: You can learn languages, whatever their complexity, whatever your age, wherever you travel.

Immerse to Converse?

The ideal way of learning a second language is through immersion. Imagine living among native speakers until, little by little, the unfamiliar language starts making sense. Nearly 5 million kids in the U.S. do this every day. There’s also the “win the lottery, move to Tuscany” school of immersion, but most folks are already immersed in life’s demands.

But suppose you’ve got a vacation coming up. You could stick to English—depend on others to be multilingual—or you could learn at least some of the language.

1. Practice the Tao of Now. In Peanuts, Snoopy tells Woodstock “I read at least one word a day.” Download an app that will send you “the word of the day” in your chosen language. Poco a poco, le parole diventano frasi.

2. Learn Ps and Qs. Master local versions of please, thank you, and other emblems of respect. Start with the basics, then listen for local variations.

3. Greet the Neighborhood Cats. Too shy to practice new words on people? It’s a little-known fact that cats are multilingual. The next time you meet a friendly feline, greet it in another language. Sure enough, it will demonstrate utter comprehension with an affirming “meow” in the local language. Repeat your greeting until you become comfortable enough to try it out on humans.

4. Get Practical. Most phrasebooks reflect outdated travel norms. In this digital age, few of us need dialogues for making hotel reservations, let alone asking porters to carry our steamer trunks. To update the phrasebook approach, brainstorm what you personally need to know and research that. For me, that includes requesting photocopying services and scheduling a root touch-up.

5. Act Like a Child. In Valletta, Malta, a bookseller pointed wordlessly at the textbooks for learning Maltese. Then I asked her to recommend kotba tat-tfal (children’s books), gesturing toward myself and grinning sheepishly. With that, her warm personality surfaced. She not only helped me find a local favorite, but shared a wealth of language tips.

6. Picture the Page. Don’t forget comic books, graphic novels, and magazines. Make your own captioned pictures, too. Visual supports mean you’ll need a dictionary less often.

7. Cognates to the Rescue. At a Florentine apothecary, a friend of mine mimed washing his hair because he didn’t know the word for shampoo. Turns out it’s il shampoo. Discover the power of cognates.

8. Sing It. Though it’s hardly a marketable skill, I can sing the theme song from “The Flintstones” in Italian. I also know that Albania borders on the Adriatic. Why? Because I heard the information sung. One time. Years ago. If you can say it, sing it, and you’ll save it.

9. Preempt Translation. Think of grocery stores as 3-D picture dictionaries. The great thing about picture dictionaries is that they help you stop translating. Instead of thinking “the word for apple,” you see a red round object and discover that it’s manzana.

10. Catch on with Context Clues. When my friend Julie visits Irish friends, she doesn’t ask for “milk” in her coffee, she asks for bainne. And she doesn’t always have coffee, sometimes she sips a cupán tae. Just don’t drop a mála tae into your cupán and pour boiled uisce over it. The best tae is brewed slowly in a taephota.

11. Eat Your Words. If that charming taverna has an English-language menu, chances are it’s limited to bland options. Explore a culture’s culinary language before you ever go abroad, thanks to diverse restaurants and cooking classes in your community. And keep this shortcut handy: Learn expressions equivalent to “favorite local dish” or “something traditional.” What if you have allergies? What if you’re vegan? Download multilingual food-allergy chef alert cards or use a travel app.

12. Repeat, Please. Soap operas are ideal, not only because you get caught up in the conflict, but because they recap plots and repeat expressions. Counter-intuitive language tip: Set subtitles in the same language, not English, and be patient. Once you begin to understand, you’ll retain more of what you learn.

13. Listen in the Laundry. If you do use language audio, include podcasts—many free 5-minute-a-day lessons are surprisingly effective. Put on earphones and turn chore times into learning opportunities.

14, Dare to Air—I Mean, Err. When learning a second language, you’ll make mistakes. But don’t we sometimes make mistakes in our first language? “Oops,” we say, and try again. That’s a good plan for any language.

$\"A$

Learning a language takes you in new directions.
\u00a9 Joyce McGreevy<\/p><\/div>\n

Language Tips for Busy People<\/h2>\n
Research shows that learning a second language is like superfood for the brain. Experts say we\u2019re predisposed to be multilingual. So why do so many smart people think learning a second language is impossible?<\/p>\n
Curiously, those who claim linguistic ineptitude often use complex grammar:<\/p>\n
\n
\u201cHad I understood the benefits of learning Japanese, I would have taken classes.\u201d<\/li>\n
\u201cIf only I could have learned Spanish in high school, I would be fluent today.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u201cOh, I see\u201d:<\/strong> You can<\/em> learn languages, whatever their complexity, whatever your age, wherever you travel.<\/p>\n
$\"A$
An OIC Moment spotted in a London bookshop.
\u00a9 Joyce McGreevy<\/p><\/div>\n
Immerse to Converse?<\/h4>\n
The ideal way of learning a second language is through immersion. Imagine living among native speakers until, little by little, the unfamiliar language starts making sense. Nearly 5 million kids in the U.S. do this every day.\u00a0There\u2019s also the “win the lottery, move to Tuscany” school of immersion, but most folks are already immersed in life’s demands.<\/p>\n
But suppose you\u2019ve got a vacation coming up. You could stick to English\u2014depend on others to be multilingual\u2014or you could learn at least some of the language.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n
1. Practice the Tao of Now. <\/strong>In Peanuts<\/em>, Snoopy tells Woodstock \u201cI read at least one word a day.\u201d Download an app that will send you \u201cthe word of the day\u201d in your chosen language. Poco a poco, le parole diventano frasi.<\/em><\/p>\n
2. Learn Ps and Qs.<\/strong> Master local versions of please<\/em>, thank you<\/em>, and other emblems of respect. Start with the basics, then listen for local variations.<\/p>\n
3. Greet the Neighborhood Cats.<\/strong> Too shy to practice new words on people? It\u2019s a little-known fact that cats are multilingual. The next time you meet a friendly feline, greet it in another language. Sure enough, it will demonstrate utter comprehension with an affirming “meow” in the local language.<\/em>\u00a0Repeat your greeting until you become comfortable enough to try it out on humans.<\/p>\n
$\"A$
Admittedly, some Greek g\u00e1tes<\/em> are chattier than others.\u00a0
\u00a9 Joyce McGreevy<\/p><\/div>\n
$\"$
But all are purrrfectly non-judgmental!
\u00a9 Joyce McGreevy<\/p><\/div>\n
4. Get Practical.<\/strong> Most phrasebooks reflect outdated travel norms. In this digital age, few of us need dialogues for making hotel reservations, let alone asking porters to carry our steamer trunks. To update the phrasebook approach, brainstorm what you personally need to know and research that. For me, that includes requesting photocopying services and scheduling a root touch-up.<\/p>\n
5. Act Like a Child.<\/strong> In Valletta, Malta, a bookseller pointed wordlessly at the textbooks for learning Maltese. Then I asked her to recommend kotba tat-tfal<\/em> (children\u2019s books), gesturing toward myself and grinning sheepishly. \u00a0With that, her warm personality surfaced. She not only helped me find a local favorite, but shared a wealth of language tips.<\/p>\n
6. Picture the Page.<\/strong> Don\u2019t forget comic books, graphic novels, and magazines. Make your own captioned pictures, too. Visual supports mean you\u2019ll need a dictionary less often.<\/p>\n
$\"Magazines$
Do bunnies bring baskets of eggs for the Husv\u00e9ti<\/em> men\u00fc<\/em>?
\u00a9 Joyce McGreevy (in Budapest)<\/p><\/div>\n
7. Cognates to the Rescue.<\/strong> At a Florentine apothecary, a friend of mine mimed washing his hair because he didn\u2019t know the word for shampoo<\/em>. Turns out it\u2019s il shampoo<\/em>. Discover the power of cognates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
8. Sing It<\/strong>. Though it\u2019s hardly a marketable skill, I can sing the theme song from \u201cThe Flintstones\u201d in Italian<\/a>. I also know that Albania borders on the Adriatic. Why? Because I heard the information sung<\/a>. One<\/em> time. Years<\/em>\u00a0ago. If you can say it, sing it, and you\u2019ll save it.<\/p>\n
9. Preempt Translation<\/strong>. Think of grocery stores as 3-D picture dictionaries. The great thing about picture dictionaries is that they help you stop translating. Instead of thinking \u201cthe word for apple<\/em>,\u201d you see a red round object and discover that it’s\u00a0manzana<\/em>.<\/p>\n
10. Catch on with Context Clues.<\/strong> When my friend Julie visits Irish friends, she doesn\u2019t ask for “milk” in her coffee, she asks for bainne<\/em>. And she doesn\u2019t always have coffee, sometimes she sips a cup\u00e1n tae<\/em>. Just don\u2019t drop a m\u00e1la tae<\/em> into your cup\u00e1n <\/em>and pour boiled uisce<\/em> over it. The best tae<\/em> is brewed slowly in a taephota<\/em>.<\/p>\n
$\"Trays$
On a summer day in Zagreb, my favorite Croatian word is sladoled<\/em>.
\u00a9 Joyce McGreevy<\/p><\/div>\n
11. Eat Your Words<\/strong>. If that charming taverna has an English-language menu, chances are it\u2019s limited to bland options. Explore a culture\u2019s culinary language before you ever go abroad, thanks to diverse restaurants and cooking classes in your community.\u00a0And keep this shortcut handy: Learn expressions equivalent to \u201cfavorite local dish\u201d or \u201csomething traditional.\u201d What if you have allergies? What if you\u2019re vegan? Download multilingual food-allergy chef alert cards<\/a> or use a travel app<\/a>.<\/p>\n
12. Repeat, Please.<\/strong> Soap operas are ideal, not only because you get caught up in the conflict, but because they recap plots and repeat expressions. Counter-intuitive language tip:<\/strong> Set subtitles in the same<\/em> language, not English, and be patient. Once you begin to understand, you’ll retain more of what you learn.<\/p>\n
13. Listen in the Laundry<\/strong>. If you do use language audio, include podcasts\u2014many free 5-minute-a-day lessons are surprisingly effective. Put on earphones and turn chore times into learning opportunities.<\/p>\n
14, Dare to Air\u2014I Mean, Err<\/strong>. When learning a second language, you\u2019ll make mistakes. But don\u2019t we sometimes make mistakes in our first language? \u201cOops,\u201d we say, and try again. That\u2019s a good plan for any language.<\/p>\n
Discover why being bilingual works wonders for your brain\u00a0<\/em>here<\/em><\/a>. <\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
***Access a world of free language-learning resources on Open Culture\u00a0here<\/a>. <\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n***
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