Have you considered learning multiple languages at the same time? It’s worth the considering if you’re already making good progress with one language quite quickly. Or maybe you’re interested in learning a few different languages, but can’t decide which one to go with?
There’s plenty of good news if you want to learn multiple languages at once. Of course, advanced language learning has a steep learning curve. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Many of us find our best learning grooves when we’re faced with tough challenges!
The pros of learning multiple languages
Brain training
Learning one language trains your brain in the areas that process written and spoken information. Neuroscientific research on language learning reports increased activity in these areas of the brain. This means that language learning actually grows our brains’ capacity to learn all languages. So learning multiple languages at once results in a better ability to process all language information. Your skills are more quickly transferred between languages! Knowing how to think in a foreign language is the true test of fluency, and multiple language learning is the key.
Time saving
Learning languages one-by-one can take longer than learning multiple languages at the same time. This is because the brain is primed to process language information when you’re actually learning a language. So, it does that more efficiently across other languages, too. You save time by applying key concepts to other languages. The result is more cross-language connections that broaden your overall learning experience. Becoming fluent in multiple languages will obviously take time, but the process of simultaneous learning is often quicker than sequential learning.
Finding similarities and differences between languages
This especially applies if you’re learning a group of languages from a particular region. When you learn multiple languages you make more connections, more often. These are across similar and slightly different words, phrases and grammar. When they’re fresh in your mind they’re more easily applied. Understanding other fundamentals across different languages also gives you great insight into how language is used in similar ways across different cultures. Even slight quirky similarities can help you understand multiple languages at the same time.
Boredom will be a thing of the past
Learning multiple languages at the same time reduces boredom. It’s also an ambitious and exciting way to learn. This stimulates your interests in different cultures and societies. Multiple language learning also gives you a broader, contextual understanding of language as a whole. You can switch your focus depending on the way you feel. Being in-tune with your learning desires and having a flexible approach in how you apply them can be really rewarding.
The cons of learning multiple languages
Possible weaker verbal skills
Some suggest that bilingualism and multilingualism make it harder to speak and listen. This is because the brain has to distinguish between multiple languages, instead of focusing on just one. The basic idea is that learning more than one language at once causes extra brain-strain. This means the more you speak and listen to different languages, the less efficiently you learn. This was discussed in a study on multilingual children. However, your brain develops over several years as a multi-linguist. This means that over time, less resources are needed to speak multiple languages.
Vocabulary limitations
Some language learning tasks take more dedication than others. The vocab you have to learn from each will require dedication. It can be really hard remembering all the words so they get mixed and muddled up more often.
“Tip of the tongue” moments
Do you know those frustrating moments when you just can’t remember something? Or a word is just on the tip of your tongue? It is slightly more frequent when you learn more than one language at a time. Exposure to many different words means there will be times that they just mush into one. This will obviously get better over time with dedication, but it can be off-putting at the start.
Weigh your options. See if the pros outweigh the cons for you etc.
There’s no doubt that learning multiple languages at the same time is ambitious and challenging. But it’s highly rewarding and the pros far outweigh the cons. Any negatives will eventually fade once you’re far enough in your learning journey. It can be more enriching to learn languages together, especially if they’re directly or loosely related. Also, any connections will enhance your cross-language understanding.
It may start out to be quite a feat, but you’ll get used to multiple language learning over time. Once you get into it, you’ll realise that the things you initially found difficult, will subside. Tip-of-the-tongue moments and forgetting vocab will be a thing of the past!
You could say that once you get over the initial hump of confusion and minor annoyance, the different languages seem to cement themselves as separate in the brain, meaning you have control over them and can switch seamlessly. For any language lover, multilingualism is the ultimate goal. So, you may as well get into learning multiple languages at once. Be confident!
Good luck!
