Why Some Languages are Harder to Learn (and How to Make it Easier)

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How to Learn a Language

Lindsay Dow

139 episodes

4 days ago

How to Learn a Language is the podcast with the very self-explanatory name! We’ll cover all aspects of language learning, especially focusing on learning how to learn languages better. From time to time guests might pop by to share how they learn languages, but mostly it’ll be me and you hanging out so hey, get comfy and let's learn how to learn a language. Follow for more at https://www.lindsaydoeslanguages.com/podcast Got a question? A topic you'd like covered or a guest you'd like to hear from? Email me at lindsay[at]doeslanguages[dot]com.

Language Learning

Education

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Language Learning

Education

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Why Some Languages are Harder to Learn (and How to Make it Easier)

How to Learn a Language

9 minutes 24 seconds

3 weeks ago

Why Some Languages are Harder to Learn (and How to Make it Easier)

The US Foreign Service Institute ranks languages by difficulty for English speakers, but what really makes a language hard to learn? I’m Lindsay, a language learning expert, and in this video, I explore why some languages take longer to master. We’ll look beyond the FSI categories and break down language difficulty into three key factors: how a language looks, sounds, and feels. From opaque writing systems and tricky pronunciations to cultural nuances and resource availability, I share insights to help you understand and overcome these challenges. Remember though, no matter how difficult we may perceive a language to be to learn, no language is impossible to learn!
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**TIMESTAMPS**
0:00 — What makes a language “difficult”?
0:18 — Free training mention
0:55 — FSI categories explained
1:58 — Category 4 languages
2:27 — Three factors of difficulty
2:46 — How a language looks
4:41 — How a language sounds
6:19 — How a language feels
8:10 — Bringing it all together
8:47 — Free training + outro
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**ABOUT ME**
🌍 Hi! I’m Lindsay - MA in Applied Linguistics, lifelong language learner & global citizen. I help ambitious people around the world learn languages their way - so they can move abroad, connect with family, or simply spark a new hobby. My mission? Make language learning fun, flexible, and functional for your life.
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