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Can You Learn Two Languages At the Same Time?
Brainscape ^ | Oct 2018 | Kaitlin Goodrich

Posted on 12/02/2018 1:28:11 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege

Can I Learn Two Languages at the Same Time? In short, yes, it is possible to learn two languages simultaneously. Our brains are frequently required to learn similar topics at the same time. In fact, all educational curriculum count on the fact that you should be able to process and filter information from multiple categories concurrently. Even in other situations, our brains are primed to adjust to new tasks as needed on a regular basis.

Motivation matters– especially when attempting to learn two languages at once. If your only goal in studying two languages at the same time is to become multilingual, you are likely to fail. There is little motivation to spur your forward progress and make the challenges worthwhile.

On the other hand, a person who is trying to learn Chinese and French in order to get a dream job is much more likely to persevere.

(Excerpt) Read more at brainscape.com ...


TOPICS: Education
KEYWORDS: epigraphyandlanguage; godsgravesglyphs; languages
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1 posted on 12/02/2018 1:28:11 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

No, I can’t.


2 posted on 12/02/2018 1:29:48 PM PST by BipolarBob (Natl. Veggie Growers Assn. "All we are saying . . is give peas a chance.")
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

As a music teacher, I see people learn several instruments at once. Same part of the brain as for language learning, I am told.


3 posted on 12/02/2018 1:37:27 PM PST by ArtDodger
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

If the two languages are similar, absolutely. There are a lot of parallels between Spanish and French.


4 posted on 12/02/2018 1:39:00 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

No reason why not.

Many in Europe grow up learning and speaking multiple languages.


5 posted on 12/02/2018 1:40:19 PM PST by Innovative
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Like Java and Python?


6 posted on 12/02/2018 1:41:32 PM PST by King Moonracer (Bad lighting and cheap fabric, that's how you sell clothing.)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Children do it all the time. The pathways are slightly different so while their dendritic trees branch in multiple directions, speech itself comes slower and improves slower, but in the end they are fully bilingual. Worth it if the situation is right.


7 posted on 12/02/2018 1:41:40 PM PST by Yaelle
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To: ArtDodger

Paul McCartney can pretty much play any instrument. At one time, he played bass, drums, piano and lead guitar on Beatles records.


8 posted on 12/02/2018 1:42:19 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Yes, of course. What a stupid question.


9 posted on 12/02/2018 1:44:03 PM PST by dinodino
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To: CondoleezzaProtege
I read a piece years ago (1970s IIRC) in Scientific American Magazine on language acquisition.The among the basic claims was that healthy human brains are language sponges (my term) when a person is young but changes occur in the brain at about the time of puberty that change that dramatically.
10 posted on 12/02/2018 1:44:09 PM PST by Gay State Conservative (I've Never Owned Slaves...You've Never Picked Cotton.End Of "Discussion".)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Why can’t everybody just learn to speak English? This would make things much more convenient for me.


11 posted on 12/02/2018 1:44:28 PM PST by SamAdams76 ( If you are offended by what I have to say here then you can blame your parents for raising a wuss)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Actually on Duolingo, I’m up to my fourth language.

I started with Spanish, French, then Polish and now learning German.

I hope to do Russian next, and my background in Polish will help there.

My goal is to be fluent in all of those languages in five years. I try to spend an hour every day on it.

Learning new skills is good for keeping your brain active, and some studies indicate it helps against acquiring dementia or Alzheimer’s.


12 posted on 12/02/2018 1:47:29 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Does Body Language count?


13 posted on 12/02/2018 1:49:08 PM PST by lee martell (AT)
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To: dfwgator
A few evenings ago I was part of a group that got together and sang Christmas carols in 7 languages, including English. Of the 6 non-English languages, 4 were ones I had studied in high school or college (but wouldn't claim to be fluent in any of them).

One of the Spanish carols made me hungry: "Mi burrito sabanero."

14 posted on 12/02/2018 1:56:55 PM PST by Verginius Rufus
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Christian ministerial candidates often work vigorously, in a formidable effort to simultaneously learn biblical Hebrew and biblical Greek.

15 posted on 12/02/2018 1:57:56 PM PST by Songcraft
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

C and C++


16 posted on 12/02/2018 1:57:57 PM PST by bigbob (Trust Trump. Trust the Plan.)
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To: Gay State Conservative

healthy human brains are language sponges (my term) when a person is young but changes occur in the brain at about the time of puberty that change that dramatically.


And of course puberty is when schools usually first introduce foreign languages to their students.

I went to a school that offered a once-a-week Spanish class. I started in 3rd grade. While I can’t claim to be fluent in Spanish, the Spanish I learned then I know as well as English—I don’t have to think about it, I just know it. Languages I’ve learned since always require me to think about what I’m trying to say, how to conjugate verbs, etc.

Offering foreign languages could and should start in Kindergarten—maybe even a couple and continue through grade school/jr. high.


17 posted on 12/02/2018 1:58:01 PM PST by hanamizu
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To: SamAdams76

I’m getting old enough that I’m beginning to forget English.


18 posted on 12/02/2018 1:58:38 PM PST by Fightin Whitey
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

C/C++ and Python.


19 posted on 12/02/2018 2:01:34 PM PST by GingisK
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To: Gay State Conservative

My observation of people IRL is that that is a prime truth. A family friend has a six year old that surprised the hell out of us at dinner one night. She insisted that she order the food for us at the local Chinese restaurant. So we humored her. She proceeded to order the meal in Mandarin. Her mother was as shocked as the rest of us. The kid had learned it during their two hour per day commute off of an ipad. She told me over Thanksgiving that she is working on Spanish. I have known adults that can’t even order the basics in Spanish, let alone Mandarin.


20 posted on 12/02/2018 2:06:57 PM PST by mad_as_he$$
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