Extensive listening and reading are crucial for language learning to help the brain adapt to the new language.
Repetition and encountering new content are both important in language learning, similar to cross-country skiing.
Understanding cultural nuances and respecting local customs are significant for successful business interactions in different countries.
Deep dives
Learning languages intensively and immersively
Steve Kaufman shares his experience of learning Chinese intensively, spending hours each day studying and immersing himself in the language. He emphasizes the importance of extensive listening and reading to help the brain adapt to the new language. He also believes that anyone with motivation, time, and the ability to notice patterns can learn languages successfully.
The power of repetition and novelty in language learning
Kaufman compares language learning to cross-country skiing, where repetition and novelty are both important. He stresses the need for repetition to consolidate learning but also highlights the significance of encountering new content in the language. He explains how his brain continues to process and digest languages even when he is not actively studying them, making future language learning easier.
Discovering new cultures through language learning
Kaufman discusses his experiences living and working in Japan, selling Canadian lumber to the Japanese market. He highlights the importance of understanding cultural nuances and respecting local customs in successful business interactions. He also expresses his fascination with the rich history and culture of Iran, gained through learning Persian and exploring related literature and films.
Learning a Language: A Voyage of Discovery
Learning a language is compared to a voyage of discovery, where progress may not always be obvious. Steve Kaufman emphasizes the importance of spending time actively with the language, including listening and reading. He believes in the power of repetition and the benefits of revisiting materials to notice new things. While mistakes and forgetting are inevitable, he believes they are part of the learning process. Motivation and tolerance for not understanding are key factors in successful language learning. Steve encourages learners to enjoy the process and find what works for them.
Language Learning: A Patient Climb
Learning a language is compared to cross-country skiing, where progress may feel slow, but perseverance is essential. Steve Kaufman advises learners to take time and enjoy the journey rather than rushing to achieve mastery. He suggests embracing mistakes as a natural part of learning and encourages listening and reading as effective language learning tools. Steve also emphasizes the importance of comprehension and understanding, as well as finding personal interest in the culture and history associated with the language being learned.
Steve Kaufmann is a very prolific language learner. He has learned at least 20 languages to varying degrees during his life. Some of them he learned during his career as an international diplomat and businessman, and others he has learned during his (semi) retirement. In this interview Steve talks about his language learning experiences, methods and motivations. We talk about various metaphors and similes for language learning including ocean voyages ๐ข, cows ๐ฎ, skiing โท and cutting grass๐ก and and I ask Steve about cross-cultural experiences he has had during his career.
There is a video version on YouTube but only the audio version contains my intro and ending rambles about getting my hair cut and how you need to remember that you're a baby cow-shark on skis ๐๐ฆ๐ฟ๐ .
