How to develop TRUE spoken fluency in a foreign language
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- Опубликовано: 4 июл 2024
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🤯 In this video, I answer the question:
"Nobody can show me a method to develop TRUE spoken fluency!"
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Video starts at 4:19
Also, to put my own experience into this topic. I've been learning Spanish for years, but still don't speak it very well. I've always been a bit shy when it comes to speaking, but I understand most of what is spoken around me. Now that I'm living in Mexico and have been forced to use it, my speaking skills have gone up significantly. I'm no longer afraid of going to a restaurant by myself and talking to the server or bartender and getting to know people. It feels great to finally come out of my shell and have more confidence in my speaking ability. Just the other day, I met up with someone I've never met before. He didn't speak any English, so it was a great challenge to force myself to only speak Spanish. At first it was kind of awkward, but after a couple of beers, things got easier. After we sat there talking for about 4 hours about a wide variety of topics and getting to know each other, I even forgot that I had been speaking entirely in a different language. Once you get to that place where you don't have to translate, you feel so much more freedom and confidence.
Love this, thanks for the story!
The recurring theme here seems to be alcohol 😅
Ever since I was a child, I had exposure to the Spanish language from the friends and schoolmates around me and I picked up sentences and common words used in their country of origin (in my area statistically most of the Spanish speaking people are from El Salvador around 24% and was well reflected in the type of cuisine restaurants in the area) then proceeded to take classes since my preteen years. Now I have enough proficiency to speak with latin american speakers and Caribbean speakers but I still struggle to understand anyone in Madrid. 😢
Genial ! Que linda experiencia! Gracias por compartirla 🥰
This warms my heart reading something like this. I’m so happy to hear about your breakthrough!
I completely agree with you Olly. If you want to speak, you just have to get out there and speak. You’ll be making errors and having misunderstandings, but those things don’t matter much. You learn to speak by speaking, just like kids do. Kids have the luxury of not getting in their own way and being embarrassed, but it’s how to do it. I obtained my fluency with Spanish speaking with many teachers nearly every day as well as iTalki tutors. I’m glad you made a video like this that tells the truth.
Cheers! Just trying to tell it like it is!
That place where you are is amazing. So green
Thank you!
It's actually distracting me from listening, haha.
As somewhat introvert, it's no surprise to me that I'm very comfortable 1:1 with natives after 7 years of learning French. In groups it's another story. Why? Because I haven't spent half as much time in groups with natives as I have with 1:1.
I say this because it's important to note that not all speaking is equal. How much you understand and how much you're able to contribute depends on the context: the people, the speed, the topic, the place, the background noise, the vibe, your social preferences, your personality.
But at the end of the day, and as someone who loves searching for THE answer to things, the only thing that gets you better at speaking is speaking.
Edit: incredíble property you've got yourself there. Congratulations on your success Olly :)
Some of the most realistic advice on YT to this question. Nice work.
Cheers
Wow, this has got to be one ot the best "Olly" videos I've seen (and I've been with him since the beginning). The unscripted presentation, motion and background ambiance in the lovely settings and of course the content all come together to make a powerful statement and motivated presentation. Absolutely great Olly thank you!
Humbled, thank you Daniel. (And by the way, I still remember your comment on my blog when you first found me!)
I’m so shocked about the headache 🤯 I thought it was just me! I had that same experience after my first intense language exchange with someone who didn’t speak enough English for me to use it as a crutch! 😂 (Edit: you are so right about learning and applying. I noticed my daughter doing that even as a native speaker when she learns a new word. She likes to try it out and use it every chance she gets. One of my language partners does the same thing.)
Taking that jump can be intimidating. But you're right, there really isn't any other way. You have to take your lumps and get those early interactions out of the way. Speaking under pressure is a different animal and there is no way to simulate it by yourself. I remember my first few Thai conversations. My mind went blank and it felt like time was going really fast. lol... But when I replayed them in my head as I walked away, I realized I actually knew what they were saying but couldn't respond properly in real time. You have to get comfortable...with being uncomfortable.
Your story kind of remind me of how it is for autistic people to socialize PERIOD, we see a group, we jump in and try not to look too arkward (or not minding TOO much when we do).
Maybe why so many of us, like myself, are so good with language: we get that feeling of being overwhelmed (and the splitting headache that come with it) in ANY language (including our native one) so it's kind of familiar territory for us.
Love listening to your channel, just bought your short stories book for Norwegian on Amazon yesterday, can't wait to try it (will be my third method I will use simultanuously cuz I'm way into it).
if learning languages gets me a house like that I'm definitely going to perservere!
Haha. Get good enough to teach it, produce tons of quality content, and are wise about where you want to live then you'll have a house like this in no time!
@@SuperRand13 shamelessly peddling your merch at every opportunity helps too☺️
this is 100% key!! Wonderful video Olly! When I first moved to Spain, I was so so nervous to speak. So I took a step back and focused just on input through reading and listening to podcasts, and over time I became more comfortable with the language. I reached a point where I asked my Spanish friends to no speak to me in English so that I could start applying the pieces from my head into speech and it can be awkward and messy of a process, but over time it helps immensely!
This is true, just speak. Just start, don't stop. Read stories, familiarize yourself with the sound of the language. Make errors, take notes, laugh at yourself sometimes. This method catapulted me to a whole new level on my language learning.
That’s it!
When I came to Italy, 39 years ago, no one spoke English and I knew only very few words, so I had to learn it by force, by listening to the people and also films translated from English to Italian, so that I would learn the language without the dialects, I was able to get myself understood within 2 weeks but without the contract grammar. The proper grammar I learned when my kids went to school. You are right. You need to deep dive into the language.
I agree, language learning requires intensity and pain if you wish to really improve. I've been learning German for 15 years but it was only two years ago when I threw myself into the deep end. I kept listening to the news every day, read tons of books and then to activate my accumulated knowledge, I'd have an italki lesson once or twice a week. I saw all my hard work pay off. Forcing myself to listen and speak has made me a MUCH better SPEAKER and LISTENER in just the last two years. What used to sound like noise is much easier to understand
Brilliant video, good too hear and thank you for motivating me!
This is exactly what I needed to hear!
Awesome!
Yes, I agree totally. I always say that the only way to learn to speak is to speak! Great location - love your amazing garden!!
I found that collecting a lot of joining words and phrases that join argument / paragraph level stuff together helps. Also imagining saying something to someone and practicing putting it into the language is a useful tool. ( You will notice things you don't know how to say. ). I also used to set aside a few minutes at start of everyday to " self talk " my thoughts in the language. Even if it's basic like " I need a coffee. It's useful. Sometimes thinking up more difficult things ect. I think speaking is a highly automatic process so much more like sport than study, " if you do it more, you can do it more. Thinking of or copying a phrase or 2 here n there to add to your " toolbox " is good for naturalness and automacity. ( Ps drink more lol )
What a splendidly relaxing location you are in. The "year of covid" means I have not left the busy city since March 2020, so I am rather envious of your calm sitting in this video.
It’s my garden - come visit any time, there are beers in the fridge!
@@storylearning What a splendid garden, and what a very generous offer. Travel is still impossible, but perhaps one day :)
I don't think I can do the challenge this month, but I hope you archive the materials somewhere. I'd love to give it a go later this summer!
Congrats on 50K subs! Thanks for your videos
Yay, someone noticed! 😅
That was a very powerfull video,thanks!
Thank you for this really great video, Olly! I totally agree with you! If you want to speak a language, you need to speak, and there is no substitute for that.
I enjoy reading books in foreign languages but I want to speak these languages too. So I now challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone and speak, speak at least a little. ❤️
Such a great platform...
All your content keeps me motivated
Thank you
Great Video, as usual. Practice makes perfect.. So, the more the better. In the same way your Listening Skills are improving each time you listen a Podcast. Trying to speak with yourself could also be a great help. And keeping the language you are learning as a normal routine in your day life. Stay Safe and Greetings from Spain
great video man
I learned Russian almost solely through conversation while living in Ukraine. My grammar is still weak because Russian grammar cases are challenging and i never really formally learned it. But i can speak Russian all day long. I speak around what i don't know, understand even fast spoken Russian.
It's funny how I got this notification RIGHT as I was using one of your books to study Swedish! 🤣
Lycka till!
@@sharonoddlyenough Tack så mycket! 🥰
I’m watching during a study break and also using one of his books. Enjoying the book so far
If I drink, I’ll probably be fluent in every possible language:)).
What you’ve said is true tho. You have to put yourself in a situation where you’ll have to speak. It can be hard to get out of the comfort zone, but it’s the best way to actually learn
Olly, great vid!
Thanks man
its sad to see this only has 17k views because i feel like in this video you were just blunt and honest about it and thats what people need to hear. Think about your native language too, you spend your whole childhood practicing talking and saying the wrong things because even then you're still learning but you have to practice
Je suis avec d'accord avec toi Olly. J'ai actuellement une leçon de français iTalki par semaine mais j'aimerais avoir 2 ou 3 leçons par semaine.
I love reading your French and I learn using them
Interesting video. I've reached an intermediate level in my target language, and I feel like I've reached the stage where I need to better activate the language the currently sits within me. I have 5 x immersion weekends coming up for the rest of the year, so I've got to get out of my comfort zone and starting talking more than I usually do.
thank you for telling it as it is. i am struggling learning spanish
Sometimes we need a dose of reality
Yes, "air time" is highly valuable.
This advice should be taken with a pinch of salt. What seems right and effective for one is not necessary the same for the other.
That’s a nice generalisation, but what’s your specific criticism?
@@jazmine9570 for what I understand of the video, the advice here is to practice, get in the real life, the latter may be particularly difficult for some people but that's the way it is. That is the way we all learn, the rest is a question of methods and here we adapt to what we like and to our own capacities.
@@storylearning I taught myself Finnish and Italian informally (autodidact) and Spanish and Portuguese formally (at university, though my Portuguese and Finnish from 30 years ago have lapsed through lack of practice). I totally agree with you Ollie - proof's in the pudding. I learned to speak well by getting out there and speaking as much as possible with native speakers. I have studied with other language students at university and the ones who learned to speak well got out there and spoke regularly. Nuff said
Beautiful walking trail!
I wish you had stories and conversations in Danish! Well, more than the one you have, I already have that one!
I agree with you. I've been learning English by my own but I can't speak fluently yet. It's superb frustrating to me because I need to speak at least with 80% of fluency to get a job.
jetzt auf Deutsch : Ich lerne Deutsch seit vielen Jahren, wahrscheinlich 15 Jahren aber in den letzten zwei Jahren habe ich viel viel gehort, gelesen und auf Italki gesprochen. Ich musste jeden Tag die Nachrichten hoeren. Es war am Anfang sehr schwer zu verstehen aber jetzt bin gewoehnt, die deutsche Sprache zu hoeren und jetzt verstehe ich fast alles! Man braucht auch viel Kontakt zu anderen Menschen, um seine Sprache zu verbessern, deswegen habe ich mindestens zwei mal pro Woche mit Jemandem auf Italki gesprochen. Es hat gut geklappt und mein Deutsch ist viel besser geworden.
I agree but I would still need a whole lot of vocabulary to be able to speak fluently. I am not ready to go out and talk to other people at this point. Moving to a country where the language is spoken would probably be the best strategy for me. Actually my ultimate goal is to be able to speak like a native or native level, not actually fluentcy
I'm same type as you. I want to talk about something deep, so I take time to prepare.
But I read and listen to only something I'm interested in, so I have a good time to learn, even though it's self-study.
Wow! Olly, So true! The pandemic somehow increased my time in speaking my Esperanto. I had not been speaking much and when I spoke it was a stilted, slow style of conversation. But now with the pandemic people in my local Esperanto Society started up Zoom meetings, regular "babilados" (meetings to practice the language). I also practice speaking (with scripted dialogue) over the phone. Result: Many more hours using the language on a weekly basis. My fluency has vastly improved. I am in Australia so we can actually "hang out" without fear of the pandemic!
So very true
In my opinion as a fellow polyglot, speaking and pronunciation are the most important things in language acquisition. Speaking and pronunciation should be a major focus from day one. The idea of learning a language before "applying" it seems like having the cart before the horse. You haven't learned a language at all if you are unable to communicate clearly. Millions of people have "learned" a foreign language without regard to speaking and pronunciation and all of their learning is useless because nobody can understand them when they speak. Think about it. Two people go to Mexico. Person 1 has learned Spanish without focus on pronunciation and speaking. He has an extensive vocabulary. Person 2 has a much smaller vocabulary. Maybe a third or less of Person 1's vocabulary and grammar. Person 1, however, speaks with a very strong accent because he has not focused on speaking and pronunciation from the start. Person 2, on the other hand, has mastered pronunciation and speaks with very little sign of his native accent. Both of them stop to talk to a native Mexican speaker about any topic. Although person 2 has to pause and use simpler vocabulary, the native speaker tends to focus on him, in the conversation. The reason is that natives assume that the person that speaks with the least foreign accent is the one who's Spanish is better and who understands better. The native feels more comfortable talking to him. I think that the ability to speak and be understood is by far the most important thing in foreign language acquisition. As such, it should be the focus from the very beginning, because, unlike your video suggests, ability to speak and pronounce clearly does not just come naturally after you have spent time to "learn" a language. In fact, it is the other way around, reading, grammar and vocabulary building will come naturally and easily once you learn to speak at whatever your level is at the time. It is extremely difficult to lose your foreign accent and speak intelligibly after you have "learned" a language. Day 1 should be mastering the sounds and eliminating your foreign accent or the rest is not worthwhile, unless you plan to spend your life reading (or teaching). :)
I remember a very odd headache when learning Spanish in Puebla, Mexico, 25-ish years ago.
I added this to a playlist for when I return to French in a year or so. The challenge will be useful then.
So is trying to learn more than one language at a time a bad idea ? Or is it doable with correct tools and approach? Oh and opinions on duo lingo? Rosetta stone?
It's called the JFDI method
I appreciate the honesty as always but now I'm wondering - am I wasting my time learning a language if I can't travel the way Olly could? I only live in a modest sized city and the language I'm learning is not one of the most popular in the world so it's not easy to find native speakers around here. Hopefully one day I'll be able to travel to where it is spoken, but what are we to do if we can't surround ourselves with the language like that?
My example was when I traveled, but I learned most other languages with language exchanges, online lessons, and occasional travel, so don’t let it discourage you. The other important point is that “total fluency” is not the be all and end all. You can get all the benefits of language learning at all different stages of learning.
If you have reading ability, you can enjoy foreigner's RUclips videos.
Speaking is fun, but reading foreign languages is also fun.
Do you have this program for thai or what do you recommend for thai?
Any tips on an optimal way to utilise language tutors to this end? Do you have them focus on specific content with you? Do you to grammar with them? Do you just have general conversations?
I would lead with the conversations you want to have with them and then address grammar points as they come up.
May I have a link to "Matt's" channel please...I'd like to check it out.
You can look up "Matt vs Japan" or "Refold.la"
I think that is better not to have speaking practice at all, than practicing with non native speakers. Because you will get the wrong idea of sentences are formed, you will be copying unconsciously mistakes from others, even practicing with advanced students you will be replicating there pronunciation mistakes.
Le présent du subjonctif n'est pas un problème en français par contre l'imparfait du subjonctif est plus compliqué. Après vous me direz qu'ici en France seulement 1% des natifs l'emploie.
I do not think there is THE secret, everyone has their own way. For me, I need to listen to lots of input, having conversation partners helps a lot too 😄 And yeah, drinking can indeed be helpful 🤣🤣🤣
Probably THE secret, if there is one, is to find a way to learn that suits your life, is fun and you can keep up regularly 😊
I agree with you about preferences etc, but what’s the specific alternative when it comes to developing spoken fluency? “More study” simply doesn’t get you there (unfortunately)
@@storylearning speaking practice is what it takes to get fluency (some options: talk to yourself, get a tandem partner, find friends with whom you talk in this language, move to the place this language is spoken...). You will obviously make mistakes, which is part of the language learning process 😊.
I personally think the best way to learn and get fluent is not getting too stressed about it and not taking yourself too seriously. You will embarrass yourself sometimes and it is ok. I once got confused between "Schwanz" and "Schwan" in German, my Spanish students confuse the words "pollo" and "polla" sometimes 🤣.
You just have a good laugh and move on 😄
I think this is pretty impressive in its honesty - you could have kept quiet on this and just continued to plug StoryLearning but I think you’re bang on - that’s not to say StoryLearning and speaking can’t be two parts of a successful strategy though I guess!
Absolutely - you need to “learn” the language first, and that’s where a good method comes in.
First comment 🥳🥳🥳
THE DILEMMA, at least for native English speakers, who want achieve fluency, or higher order speaking abilities and how it applies to "try this", "not that" if planning your first, but allow you may only ever take two or three more, "air time" trips to any target language country, as based on my Italian language journey experiences. [I didn't ever think I would take more than two, three trips to Italy, but wanted speak Italian with ease. If Covid issues don't ruin it, I think my next trip will be my 6th or 7th.] WHAT'S THE DILEMMA? If for any reason you feel you only have one, two, maybe three trips you will take to the target language country, in my case Italy, fulfilling a desire to see the Coliseum, Michelangelo's David, da Vinci's Last Supper, take a ride in a Gondola, results in "NOT THAT" TRIPS insofar as their making any meaningful contribution towards speaking with ease, comfortably, in the target language.
THE "NOT THAT" TRIPS TRAP: Unfortunately for the native English language speakers, you're in the highly trafficked tourist destinations, where your interactions with Italians are skewed heavily with service people where THEY want to improve their English and YOU are their opportunity to use it. I will never forget one example in a hotel in Milan where I was quite able to handle myself in such normal things as one uses at a hotel, and have similarly experienced this in restaurants in Rome, where they try stop me using Italian because they want practice their English! Now, I swear, this Milan hotel experience was hilarious, as the desk clerk literally said, "Let's speak English! I want to practice my English!" I really, literally started laughing, not at the clerk, but, I said to her, in Italian, of course, but, "We have a problem because I'm here to practice my Italian!" My general observation is that in such tourist destinations, one doesn't really have practical opportunities to have much dialogue with locals, the man on the street, so to speak. But when you have interactions outside the service industry staff in such popular destinations, don't be surprised if the locals want practice their English, and no matter that, it's only a few minutes or so, typically.
THE "TRY THIS" TRIPS:
Go to smaller communities where the English language isn't used by the locals because native English language speakers aren't at all important to their economy. This will force you to speak Italian! Honestly, two weeks is the bare minimum, but rent a nice apartment near the city center, and better yet, if the landlord is a local at hand, or rent a room in a local's home he or she lets out as a BnB room. Sweet! Italians are the most gracious in such circumstances, especially when an American, in my case, is trying speak their language. And, by golly, if the landlord is also a mother, you're a baby again, at least in the Italian language. You get the point. You make a friendship. Make a routine of a meal every day at the same restaurant, same time, every day, at a time that isn't their busy hours. You're a novelty to the wait staff, as they can't figure out how you got lost in a place Americans, Brits, Australians, etc., don't go. You will find them asking you questions out of their own curiosity. You are now forced use Italian. I promise you, if you're the only American, you'll be known as, "The American." But good manners are valued. Don't get branded as the "ugly American." Once you've been seen there a few times, now you're a regular, and you have snippets of conversations with new friends.
Wonderful advice!
Unfortunately most of us don't have the same luxury of time, or privilege of money, to travel just to practice. In an era where we can communicate with people around the world from our smartphone or computer, or to go to our local "Little Italy", "Supermercado", or "Chinatown" whenever we wish to practice a language, is it really necessary to pay the expense of a plane ticket, hotel lodging, food/dining, etc. just to speak to someone of a different lingo? It seems so out-of-touch with the socioeconomic limitations most people have, with traveling restrictions (covid withstanding), and with the technological accessibility we can use instead. Let's be more realistic, and promote language exchange online, just like you and I are connecting right now. Besides, like you said, we the tourists become a magnet for locals to practice English. Instead of traveling with a "hope and a prayer" for a language exchange opportunity, wouldn't it be simpler to have a *guaranteed* exchange partner that is advertising themselves on Tandem or HelloTalk for you to practice with?
Love this….thank you!
Where are you walking?
no wonder why I've been learning English for ten years and still couldn't hold a meaningful conversation. there's no one in my city who speaks the language. lol.
So the key is drinking and learning drunk talk first. Gotcha. 😂. Actually , that does help alot. I remember that stuff really helping. Actually. More numbers is more challenging I think also
Somewhat ironic how you plug your 30 day challenges (that are well within the "learning phase", as you put it), when the entire point of the video is that you have to get into the application phase :-)
Why is it ironic? They’re not mutually exclusive. To talk about the application phase is not to deny the existence of the learning phase.
@@storylearning No absolutely, you aren't wrong. But with everything, you have to prioritise where you put your focus and time, so it sounds slightly schizophrenic when you, in the same video, say "Don't stick around in the learning phase, make sure you get to the application phase" and also "By the way, here is some awesome content for the learning phase". (Obviously, that is only on the surface, as your channel has a wide audience of learners in different situations, and the difference pieces of advice apply to varying degree depending on your situation).
You need to offer a course for Russian declensions, they're such a nightmare.
They're complicated but like anything it just takes time and exposure and you get used to it.
relax, mate! im russian, and even i dont know all of them.
and so do most of others.
so take ur pace in learnin russian and it all comes to yu with time!
very fast
so if yu wanna be fluent, for instance in spanish, all yu need is two steps:
1. drink alotta rum with spanish inquisition till yu get headache,
2. do alotta blah-blah-blah till ur jaw drops off.
You missed the part about a lot of study
@@storylearning pff, it all comes naturally!
Shame there is so much waffle and advertising at the beginning. Some people (like me) won't have the perseverance to sit through that until the actual content begins. But to be honest, I don't feel like I'm missing anything important.
You’re a bundle of joy