How did people learn languages in centuries gone by? Educator Duncan Parrish takes me on a fascinating journey through the rich history of language learning.
I'm Learning Mandarin
The History of Learning a Foreign Language
In the early stages of learning a foreign language, ancient Greeks studied texts like Homer, leading to a Roman schooling system where grammar and oratory were prioritized. Latin education focused on studying classic texts to preserve literary expression. However, this high linguistic standard caused challenges as Latin diverged from the spoken languages at home. The earliest records of learning a foreign language involve Greek textbooks for Latin schoolboys, featuring dual texts for memorization through structured dialogues. The method of memorizing dialogues has been preserved across centuries, as seen in modern language learning techniques used by famous polyglots like Steve Kaufman.
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