Learning a foreign language while on camp allows you to understand different histories and cultures. It also changes your overall perception of the world. The better you master a new language, the more you will want to continue learning other unique words.
Is it Possible to Learn Two Languages at Once?
Learning different languages at the same time while at camp is possible. Even then, not everyone is capable of multitasking. It is critical to understand that learning a new language takes a lot of time. You must show dedication to learning the two dialects if you want to master a new vocab.
If you lack enough time to concentrate, then you will only manage to master a single dialect. Luckily Les Elfes offers three types (private, intensive, and conversational) of language courses where students are classified depending on their language levels.
Students in these groups can choose Spanish, French, English, or German. Campers do not have to be English native speakers to take English lessons at the camp. Language teachers at the Les Elfes camp are committed to ensuring that every learner succeeds in their language of choice.
Motivation is Crucial
Learning different languages in high school at the same time can be demanding. Learners will need to be well-motivated, especially if they are focused on becoming polyglots. If you are combining French and Chinese to land your dream job, you will be more persistent. Remember, various factors, like learning method you use and your motivation, can have an impact on your success.
Apart from investing a reasonable amount of time, you will also need excellent time management skills to triumph. In this article, we shall discuss tips to help you stay sane while studying two languages at once.
Choose Your Languages Cautiously
Language learners who have tried learning two languages at once advise against it. According to experts, there is no sufficient time to give your brain a rest when learning two different new languages.
Native speakers say that studying similar languages at once can be confusing. When making your choice, begin with two different dialects. For example, you can combine French and Russian. Another trick would be combining a difficult language and an easy one. For example, assuming English is your native language, you will have a choice of different dialects with common words and features.
If you are a Native English speaker, learning Arabic can be a challenge. Instead, choose a simple language that features cognates. This strategy helps prevent burnout. English is one of the languages that have a contact history with many dialects.
Romance languages like Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Italian feature many similar words or cognates. Germanic languages like Dutch, Swedish, German, and Danish also feature many cognates and grammatical components. Select two languages with different writing styles to ease the learning process.
Consider Juggling Your Language Learning
If you already have some basic knowledge of one language, you can start by polishing your understanding before adding another dialect. You will have an easy time adjusting your language study before adding a new one. However, if you are starting from scratch, you can first lay a foundation before adding a new language.
Have Practical Progress Objectives in each Language
It is crucial to understand that you cannot learn and master two languages at once in a record two weeks. Lay down realistic progress goals and attempt to attain mini-objectives. Remember, your study time and knowledge of the dialect you choose determine your goals. Sometimes, you may have to set a first language that you will handle more boldly. Select a second language that you will assign a longer time to master.
Beware of Strategies that Work for You
Some people criticize the idea of integrating learning styles into activities, claiming that it does not promote retention. However, some exercises can boost your consciousness and help you remember what you learn better. For example, sketching examples of words helps you envision the meaning of a word. This concept is different from language translation on flashcards, where you can only visualize the explanation.
If you usually get distracted often, you may want to try listening to podcasts while engaging in another activity like cleaning. If you are a music enthusiast, you can listen to your favorite music, and have fun singing the lines in your target language. Remember, if you invest more time in learning languages, you will start identifying the methods that work best for you.
Speak as Much as you Can and Make it Enjoyable
Speaking a new dialect gives you a better understanding of the language as a whole and helps you communicate better. When you are learning two languages at once, speaking is crucial in ensuring that you absorb both dialects readily. To succeed, you need to enjoy the learning process. Watch movies, read books, and listen to music in the target language. If possible, you can travel to a region where people speak the language and get to experience it first-hand.
Schedule the Amount of Time you want to Spend on Each Language
To succeed in learning two languages at once, you need a robust plan and excellent time management skills. The first thing you should do is accept that a foreign language is different from your mother tongue.
Again, you must admit that you will need more dedication to master the dialects, than would be the case with a single language. Mastering the languages will take time, and you will need to be patient. If you are in a hurry to learn and master a foreign language, then learning two languages at once would not be a great idea.
Focus on Achieving Quality over Quantity
It is essential to cultivate good habits from the beginning of your target language lessons. Failure to do so establishes practices that are hard to shake later in your journey. To avoid this, you should understand what you are getting yourself into before starting your language lessons. Remember, learning a collection of vocab words just because you want to accelerate your learning journey will hurt you in the process.
Be Flexible
Remember, the beginning of your learning journey will not be easy. Not only will you need to be flexible, but you will also have to adjust your plans to fit your new schedule. This way, you will be able to contain any setbacks to ensure you do not deviate from your goals.
Adopt High-quality Learning Resources
Learning two languages can be more comfortable with the right learning resources. You do not have to worry about finding learning resources while at the Les Elfes camp. All language instructors are well trained, qualified, and experienced to offer the guidance that learners need.
Again, the instructors have numerous up to date resources both in soft and hard copy that learners can use accordingly. Teachers at the Les Elfes camp will even give learners online-based learning resources that they can use beyond the camping session.
Incorporate a Different Study Program for Each Language
To avoid getting confused when learning two languages at once, adopt a different study program. Language instructors on site will help you come up with a program that fits within your needs and schedule. Have a designated place within the camp for each language and replicate the plan once you get home after camp.
Move to a new position regularly to make your learning process even more fun. For example, you can study Korean by the campfire and Russian immediately after camp breakfast. This plan will help you develop an exclusive environment connected to each language.
Beware of Multitasking
According to some studies, engaging in two or even more things at the same time can be unproductive. This concept is real when it comes to learning two foreign languages at once. We can liken it to executing English flashcard drills while watching a Finnish movie.
By attempting to complete two things at once, you risk doing none of them well. However, when you get a firm foundation in the two foreign languages, you can leverage different ways to form a single lesson. For example, you can watch a movie in one of your target languages that show subtitles in your second language.
You can even watch a language lesson video that trains native speakers of one language how to pronounce phrases and words in another language. This strategy is called laddering, a popular method of learning and mastering new dialects in the polyglots community.
Leverage these Tips to Succeed
Are you considering learning two foreign languages during your next camping trip? If you are, these tips will help you succeed. Learning two new languages at once stimulates your mind.
Having to switch back and forth between languages regularly can be challenging. However, it enhances your thinking capacity and boosts your learning skills. As a result, learning and understanding other new dialects in the future become easy and faster.
Remember, not everyone can manage to learn two foreign languages at once. However, with dedication and the right concept, you will gain numerous benefits.
