If you’re listening to this, there’s a very good change that English is your second language. But have you ever tried to learn a third? Or even a fourth? Today we’ve got some tips that we hope will help on your language-learning journey if you’re learning more than one language.
Voice message from Rafael from Venezuela.
Learning a third language
Learning a third language can sometimes interfere with your second language, especially if the two are similar in vocabulary or grammar. This is called “cross-linguistic influence,” where features of one language can accidentally spill into another. However, this isn’t always a bad thing, it can even help if the languages share similarities.
Tips for learning a third language
Maintain your second language: Make sure you have a solid grasp of your second language before diving into a third. Keep practising it regularly through conversations, reading, or writing. This keeps it strong while you focus on the third language.
Separate the languages: Make distinct contexts for each language. For example, dedicate specific times or settings to each language. You could study one language in the morning and the other in the evening. One at home and the other in a café. While this is a good theory, in reality it could well be tricky to put into practice, admittedly.
Use Different Resources: It might help to avoid using the same type of resources for both languages to minimize confusion. For example, use apps for one language and textbooks for another. This might depend on your objective for each language.
Leverage similarities: If the third language is related to the second, use your knowledge as a stepping stone, but watch out for false cognates (words that look similar but mean different things – sopa/soap and éxito/exit).
Practise switching: Spend time transitioning between languages. For instance, practise saying the same sentence in your second and third languages back-to-back.
Cognitive Load: Managing multiple languages can be mentally taxing, but it also strengthens your cognitive abilities over time.
Code-Switching: You might occasionally mix words from different languages, especially if they are similar. However, this typically decreases with practice and familiarity.
Cultural Immersion: Engage with the culture related to each language. Watch movies, read books, and follow news in the target languages to enhance your learning experience.
Practise Regularly: Consistency is key. Incorporate all the languages into your daily routine through reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
Patience and Flexibility: Be patient with yourself. Language learning is a gradual process, and occasional mix-ups are part of it.
…and now it’s your turn to practise your English.
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In next week’s episode: The subjunctive
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The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’