1. What do you think a family is?

Language Learning in a Connected World

The Internet makes it easier to learn languages, in ways that were not possible before. It makes it easier to connect with people who speak different languages. Not only can we learn languages faster, we can meet people with like interests more easily. There is a proliferation of people offering advice on language learning via YouTube and blogs, as I do for example. Language learning systems like LingQ, and the vast array of language resources on the web, make it easier than ever to learn languages.

It is not just potential regional languages of international communication that are in vogue these days. There is renewed interest in languages that used to be considered minor, or even threatened. The Internet is helping in the revival of these languages. Whenever I attend a polyglot conference I meet people who speak languages I have never heard of. And these are often languages with a lot of speakers, for example, Quechua, the ancient Inca language spoken in Peru and neighbouring countries.

The future of language learning is bright. I don’t see English pushing out other languages, However, from a practical perspective the role of English as the main international language is unlikely to change.

17. Can you learn a language by watching television/going to the cinema?

In the world of language learning folklore I often hear that foreign language movies are a golden ticket to fluency.

But are foreign language movies really a great way to learn a language? Or are they a big waste of time?

Let’s take a look…

“Watching foreign movies is a great way to learn a new language” is really exciting to hear. After all, it sounds like you can sit down in front of your TV, and expect to miraculously become fluent in Italian after 90 minutes of watching Cinema Paradiso.

Needless to say, this doesn't happen.

Watching foreign language movies can help you learn another language, if you go about it the right way.

You can’t just watch a movie. You have to study a movie.