So what is a Polyglot? Or, who is a polyglot? The dictionary defines it as “A polyglot is a person with a command of many languages. A polyglot may also be called multilingual, although that term is used for communities as well as individuals.”
So are Polyglots smarter than us, high achievers, brainiacs or simple folks like you and me who devised a fool-proof way of learning as many languages as they want. Polyglots identify with the last description. So let’s look at some ways that polyglots use to master a language.
Learning a language can be challenging if you are doing it on your own. You have to devise a plan that will keep you challenged and motivated.
So here are some tips to language learning from the top polygons. Olly Richards is the most renowned of the polygons when it comes to learning a new language. And he says a big part of his language learning method is based in psychology. He says mindset matters most as it can determine the success or failure of any language learning. The moment things get challenging, people will react differently depending on mindsets. The rate of people taking up language learning and then dropping out is very high. So he emphasises about the importance of psychological and motivational aspects of learning a language.
John Fotheringham, another polyglot believes all language learning should be learned within context. Memorisation does not work. However, vocabulary can be memorized in a meaningful context. John also believes in the importance of using audio materials.
Benny Lewis another polyglot who runs the largest language learning blog on the web is fluent in 7 languages. He believes one must try and practice speaking their target language from day one instead of trying to do a set of activities that have nothing to do with talking. So he doesn’t advocate orthodox language learning methods and instead promotes role-playing techniques where the learners actually get to talk.
There are lots of different ways to approach language learning. The learners need to identify what works for them and keep self-motivated to reach their goals.
