PODCAST: Is it normal to speak more than one language & HOW do we learn them?
Nov 10, 2022
Do you say ‘podcast’ or podcarst? I have no idea which one is more ‘me’ and so I sought advice about how we learn to speak from neuroscientist Thomas Bak, from Edinburgh University.
This episode is part one of a three-part series where we discuss everything about languages from how we learn new words, to linguistic exogamy!
Is it normal to speak more than one language? Will we feel confused? Can our brains cope with storing more than one language, and if so, how do they manage to juggle them?
As a languages teacher and co-founder of Babel Babies, I am fascinated by how something as simple as speaking has got people into such a pickle. The UK has a rich multilingual tapestry, woven with our 14 indigenous languages (go on, have a go at naming them in the comments below!) and many more language threads that have come to our shores with people from all over the world, and yet we have a reputation of shying away from learning new languages.
I think it’s high-time we faced the issues we have about learning languages head-on and talked about where our feelings of fear, embarrassment, and even resentment at the suggestion that English speakers should learn a new language come from.
It’s time for a language revolution, n’est-ce pas?
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We explore the real science behind how young children learn to speak, along with tips for learning languages with your little people and some awesome FREE languages treats!
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