The Linguist on Language

The Linguist on Language is a free e-book written by Steve Kaufmann.  Steve Kaufmann blogs at thelinguist.blogs.com and is involved with lingq an on-line language learning program.  You can download this book for free here.

This book is a collection of posts from his blog reformatted into a book.  It explains his philosophy about learning languages and the method which his company uses to teach language.

I have never been good at languages.  I have always thought of myself as smart; one of the first times I was forced to acknowledge my limitations was while taking German in high school.  It was no fun.  I struggled and struggled and finally concluded that my intelligence did not extend to foreign languages.  It seems like Steve Kaufmann was in a similar situation but now he speaks around 10 languages.  I learned first came across his work while researching Tim Ferriss’s method of language learning and have concluded that Kaufmann’s philosophy is superior.

This book is short.  You can read it in one day and then decide if you would like to use the LingQ approach to learn your first or next language.  I will summarize what the most meaningful points of the book for me and what I think about the LingQ method of language learning.  Kaufmann also spends discusses alternative methods for learning languages and the current state of teaching English as a second language, but that will not be covered in this review.

• Language learning is based upon absorption not rote memorization.  Traditional language learning is based upon remembering grammar rules and vocabulary and demonstrating them on tests to judge your progression.  LingQ is based upon reading, listening and absorbing the language through these two mediums.  The LingQ method teaches you in context so you learn what feels right.  When children learn languages they listen for a long time before speaking and the time when a child first speaks is not necessarily related to his intelligence.  Grammar and words are better learned by seeing them in context than memorizing rules and definitions.  It is hard to think through grammar rules while you are speaking or listening.  The goal of a language learner is to become like a native speaker and be able to recognize what “sounds right” which comes by learning everything in context.
• Language learning needs to be fun.  Kaufmann says that the biggest problem which could prevent a learner from learning a language is that he is not motivated.  While this at first seems to doom the LingQ system, this is not the case.  The LingQ method is based upon  doing enjoyable exercises and avoiding exercises that make the learner “afraid” of or bored with the language.  Furthermore the positive feedback a learner will receive as he progresses will increase his motivation. Two main reasons why people dislike language can be easily avoided.  First, grammar rules are not fun to learn, so not much time is spent on them.  Second, making mistakes while speaking the language is discouraging.  In the LingQ system speaking the language is a side effect of learning it and the learner is encouraged to begin speaking as he feels comfortable instead of pushing him into embarrassing situations.  Finally, after the initial phases the learner can learn the language by reading and listening to books of interest to him.
• Steve Kaufmann does not think that languages are very perishable.  You don’t necessarily lose the language if you don’t use it.  He says that this may be the case with language learning based upon grammar rules and rote memorization, but he has not found it to be the case with himself or with his students.  One of Kaufmann’s interesting recommendations is taking a break from your primary language to “cross train” on another one.  Supposing for the sake of argument that languages skills are perishable, it is also easier to maintain language skills using the LingQ method.  Since consists mostly of reading and listening, this can be accomplished easily without undue effort.  You don’t need to taking classes to stay current.
• Kaufmann also gives rough time frames for language learning.  He says that it takes about three months of concentrated effort to achieve a breakthrough in a language.  Training should be grouped into two or three month blocks separated with rest periods.  For maximized learning he suggests reading and listening for 90 minutes a day six days a week and speaking with someone twice a week.  Working about an hour a day is an acceptable load (about six hours a week).  Kaufmann does not think you will make progress on 30 minutes a day (3 hours a week).  Kaufmann also lists phases in language learning:
  1. Go from zero to understanding basic words and phrases and making out elements of the language (duration: 3 months @ min. 1 hour/day)
  2. Reading and listening to short articles progressing up to articles meant for native speakers (duration: 3 months @ min. 1 hour/day)
  3. Reading authentic content for native speakers about which you are interested.  You can’t speak well or necessarily finish a novel, but you can read and listen.  (duration: 3 months)
  4. You are ready and eager to speak but you continue input activities as well.

  Of course these time frames depend on the language you are learning and your individual situation, but it is a general idea about what to expect.  I am not an expert on language learning, but I would be extremely happy to learn languages at this rate.