#AskSteve

The CEO of Air Canada spent 550 hours studying French over six years — with a private teacher and on his own — and still couldn't speak it. It cost him his job. Most people assume they failed at languages because they lack talent or didn't work hard enough. The real problem is the method: grammar drills and classroom instruction don't build the neural connections your brain needs to actually use a language. What's surprised you most about how you learn languages?

Flashcards have been around for centuries — but are they really the best way to learn a language? Based on what I've learned about how the brain builds knowledge, I believe massive input is far more effective. Every hour you spend reading and listening exposes you to far more words, patterns, and connections than an hour of flashcard review ever could. Flashcards have their place — I used them when starting Chinese characters — but once you have some foundation, the focus should shift to volume. Are you a flashcard person, or have you made the switch to massive input?

🔥 Learn languages like I do: https://www.lingq.com/learn-languages-like-steve-kaufmann?utm_source=yt&utm_medium=desc&utm_campaign=syt&utm_content=y7meNm4HTy0 CC subtitles available in multiple languages. I started learning Mandarin in 1968 with flashcards and reel-to-reel tapes, and here is what I would do differently today. ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Learning Mandarin in 1968 1:40 Characters, flashcards, and finding my own material 4:53 The real challenge: tones 5:45 How I would learn Mandarin today 9:45 The one habit that still matters 📺 WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/Hl7MV5s8SKc?si=Be18AAFtuP63VHaU https://youtu.be/YxCjyMNl8eU?si=DHYMw10JfjuMdoIr 🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST: Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3iZsbic Apple: https://apple.co/3z1F1lD Google: https://bit.ly/2W3DYmK Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK 💡 LEARN MORE: Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: https://www.thelinguist.com Download my FREE grammar guides: https://www.lingq.com/en/grammar-resource/ Join the LingQ Discord server: https://discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: https://bit.ly/2MW83Ab Read the LingQ language learning blog: https://bit.ly/35yvaqK ✅ FOLLOW ME: My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lingosteve_ My TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lingosteve

✍🏻 How to actually learn a language (course): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiFB-yYuG2hiwcilvwSe63wzTZexBPQNL 🔥 Learn languages like I do: https://www.lingq.com/learn-languages-like-steve-kaufmann?utm_source=yt&utm_medium=desc&utm_campaign=syt&utm_content=3zVpk12Uz0U CC subtitles available in multiple languages. Today I want to talk about learning slowly — and why if you accept that learning a language takes time, learning slowly actually gets you there faster. ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Why slow is faster 00:50 The problem with Tim Ferriss's shortcut 02:54 Slow food, slow language learning 04:46 What you can actually control 06:21 The journey is the reward 📺 WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/bXuJ-q03bGw?si=l8suAbta5vWu9n-A https://youtu.be/mPiwdoyUeoA?si=29-dI8BW4eoQKQS7 🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST: Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3iZsbic Apple: https://apple.co/3z1F1lD Google: https://bit.ly/2W3DYmK Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK 💡 LEARN MORE: Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: https://www.thelinguist.com Download my FREE grammar guides: https://www.lingq.com/en/grammar-resource/ Join the LingQ Discord server: https://discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: https://bit.ly/2MW83Ab Read the LingQ language learning blog: https://bit.ly/35yvaqK ✅ FOLLOW ME: My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lingosteve_ My TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lingosteve

🔥 Learn languages like I do: https://www.lingq.com/learn-languages-like-steve-kaufmann?utm_source=yt&utm_medium=desc&utm_campaign=syt&utm_content=bXuJ-q03bGw CC subtitles available in multiple languages. After an hour of focused reading in Persian, I felt my grasp of the language jump forward, and it reminded me why reading is the most powerful tool we have for acquiring a new language. ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 The killer app for language learning 1:43 Avoiding the comprehension trap 2:58 How reading has changed 5:00 My approach to reading 6:22 Commit and let the habit do the work 📺 WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/zBzwGYtnkB8?si=pceRDBMaPKnrmcTD https://youtu.be/mrVczP0yigk?si=DZHpwGUYDUXTT8LL 🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST: Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3iZsbic Apple: https://apple.co/3z1F1lD Google: https://bit.ly/2W3DYmK Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK 💡 LEARN MORE: Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: https://www.thelinguist.com Download my FREE grammar guides: https://www.lingq.com/en/grammar-resource/ Join the LingQ Discord server: https://discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: https://bit.ly/2MW83Ab Read the LingQ language learning blog: https://bit.ly/35yvaqK ✅ FOLLOW ME: My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lingosteve_ My TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lingosteve

🔥 Learn languages like I do: https://www.lingq.com/learn-languages-like-steve-kaufmann?utm_source=yt&utm_medium=desc&utm_campaign=syt&utm_content=e2Q2-ptF9wI CC subtitles available in multiple languages. Most adult language learners are chasing a goal they're unlikely to reach, and I want to share what I think we should focus on instead. ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Why sounding like a native isn't a realistic goal 1:18 Performance vs. real knowledge of the language 3:25 What the goal should actually be 4:36 What we can and can't control 5:04 Why I created LingQ 📺 WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/Lf7k7yKMCzQ?si=8uOipCmmhkdu_k2F https://youtu.be/ePMDcfFO9cw?si=DiOBpI3dBPsD7GYE 🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST: Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3iZsbic Apple: https://apple.co/3z1F1lD Google: https://bit.ly/2W3DYmK Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK 💡 LEARN MORE: Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: https://www.thelinguist.com Download my FREE grammar guides: https://www.lingq.com/en/grammar-resource/ Join the LingQ Discord server: https://discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: https://bit.ly/2MW83Ab Read the LingQ language learning blog: https://bit.ly/35yvaqK ✅ FOLLOW ME: My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lingosteve_ My TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lingosteve

🔥 Learn languages like I do: https://www.lingq.com/learn-languages-like-steve-kaufmann?utm_source=yt&utm_medium=desc&utm_campaign=syt&utm_content=mPiwdoyUeoA CC subtitles available in multiple languages. In this video, I talk about why comprehension grows in three stages — and why you don't need to understand everything to keep learning. ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro: Can we learn if we don't understand? 0:52 Stage 1: Beginner (0–30%) 3:00 Stage 2: Intermediate (30–60%) 4:33 Stage 3: Advanced (60%+) 6:34 Why comprehension stays with you 📺 WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/axEzGC20RhE?si=QzhdftiuF9c-Rlsk https://youtu.be/ePMDcfFO9cw?si=b0V61i6uivuWVC13 🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST: Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3iZsbic Apple: https://apple.co/3z1F1lD Google: https://bit.ly/2W3DYmK Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK 💡 LEARN MORE: Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: https://www.thelinguist.com Download my FREE grammar guides: https://www.lingq.com/en/grammar-resource/ Join the LingQ Discord server: https://discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: https://bit.ly/2MW83Ab Read the LingQ language learning blog: https://bit.ly/35yvaqK ✅ FOLLOW ME: My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lingosteve_ My TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lingosteve

🎧 Learn Arabic with comprehensible input: https://arabicallthetime.com/ 🔥 Learn languages like I do: https://www.lingq.com/learn-languages-like-steve-kaufmann?utm_source=yt&utm_medium=desc&utm_campaign=syt&utm_content=k0wa6mvTAmE CC subtitles available in multiple languages. I sit down with Hasan Alhamwi, my Arabic teacher and founder of Arabic All The Time, to talk about why comprehensible input might be the missing piece for Arabic learners. ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Hasan and his journey to comprehensible input 4:58 Modern Standard Arabic vs. Levantine in teaching 9:05 When should Arabic learners start reading? 11:00 Are Arabic dialects really one language? 17:00 Conversation in Arabic 📺 WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/qudKA-Ws_zo?si=SMKmnGnZtMEN3aeQ https://youtu.be/hyUC8u0aShc?si=wCD9ffhdIVfgElmh 🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST: Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3iZsbic Apple: https://apple.co/3z1F1lD Google: https://bit.ly/2W3DYmK Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK 💡 LEARN MORE: Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: https://www.thelinguist.com Download my FREE grammar guides: https://www.lingq.com/en/grammar-resource/ Join the LingQ Discord server: https://discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: https://bit.ly/2MW83Ab Read the LingQ language learning blog: https://bit.ly/35yvaqK ✅ FOLLOW ME: My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lingosteve_ My TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lingosteve

🔥 Learn languages like I do: https://www.lingq.com/learn-languages-like-steve-kaufmann?utm_source=yt&utm_medium=desc&utm_campaign=syt&utm_content=axEzGC20RhE CC subtitles available in multiple languages. I asked AI what the most important element in language learning is, and the answer surprised me — here's why it comes down to time. ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - The question I asked AI about language learning 1:59 - Why AI says time beats motivation 2:32 - Enjoying the process and building habits 5:21 - Setting goals and self-nudging 6:34 - How you spend the time matters 📺 WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/xO_5g-mSZfA?si=ISl0YWA0DVAA-gO3 https://youtu.be/-QV9kz2-fD0?si=ZsfTOd8GUpEeHmau 🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST: Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3iZsbic Apple: https://apple.co/3z1F1lD Google: https://bit.ly/2W3DYmK Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK 💡 LEARN MORE: Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: https://www.thelinguist.com Download my FREE grammar guides: https://www.lingq.com/en/grammar-resource/ Join the LingQ Discord server: https://discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: https://bit.ly/2MW83Ab Read the LingQ language learning blog: https://bit.ly/35yvaqK ✅ FOLLOW ME: My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lingosteve_ My TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lingosteve

🔥 Learn languages like I do: https://www.lingq.com/learn-languages-like-steve-kaufmann?utm_source=yt&utm_medium=desc&utm_campaign=syt&utm_content=-QV9kz2-fD0 CC subtitles available in multiple languages. Young Europeans now speak excellent English — not because schools got better, but because motivation went up and friction came down. ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Why young Europeans speak such good English 01:03 Motivation and friction 02:36 Why some countries are better at speaking English 04:47 From elite-imposed languages to a global groundswell 06:23 Could speaking three languages become the new normal? 📺 WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/sedFgAJ9tFE?si=FhLQqIkPreAC2c6W https://youtu.be/nz_Jf_DX4Dw?si=d83Xa0Dp82L4OeJw 📌 SOURCES: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/09/aramaic-middle-east-language/404434/ https://ecenglish.com/en/blog/news/70-statistics-about-the-english-language/ https://www.etsglobal.org/it/en/blog/news/importance-of-learning-english https://luxembourg.representation.ec.europa.eu/actualites-et-evenements/actualites/new-eurobarometer-shows-europeans-positive-attitude-towards-language-learning-2024-05-21_en 🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST: Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3iZsbic Apple: https://apple.co/3z1F1lD Google: https://bit.ly/2W3DYmK Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK 💡 LEARN MORE: Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: https://www.thelinguist.com Download my FREE grammar guides: https://www.lingq.com/en/grammar-resource/ Join the LingQ Discord server: https://discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: https://bit.ly/2MW83Ab Read the LingQ language learning blog: https://bit.ly/35yvaqK ✅ FOLLOW ME: My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lingosteve_ My TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lingosteve