The Art of Learning a Foreign Language: 25 Things I Wish They Told Me

by Benjamin Batarseh

Language is the gateway to culture and the riches of humanity thereof. It affords access to people, history, ideas, art, religion, aesthetics, and economic opportunities. Language also exerts a transformative effect on the vessel through whom it is expressed. Charlemagne is reported to have said that “To speak another language is to possess another soul.”

The Art of Learning a Foreign Language consists of all the things I wish I knew at various stages of my language learning journey during the last 15 years—as a hobbyist, student, academic, and professional linguist. This book is designed to help the learner avoid many pitfalls and seize opportunities, with lessons on choosing a target language, travel, accent, immersion, technology, learning approaches, and the lifestyle habits of professional linguists.

Some of the chapters address topics of general interest to the language learner (“nice to know”). Other headings address more crucial issues with potentially vast implications for the language learner (“must know”). Had I known then what I know now, I would have made some different choices, but the beauty of life is that it can be lived in only one direction.

In sum, with unprecedented language learning resources at our disposal and abundant opportunities for cross-cultural connection, today is the most exciting time in history to acquire proficiency in a foreign language. Whatever your motivations for learning a foreign language—or current foreign language level—this digestible read will bring you closer to achieving your goals.

Genres: Nonfiction

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2022

Reviews

[Marianne Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

great insight

While many language books cover similar topics, I really enjoyed the author’s point of view and informal writing style. I especially enjoyed the chapters on atomic habits, as I haven’t encountered those recommendations before and recognized how simple yet over looked they are. I even took notes :)

[Rachel B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not amazing, but not terrible, either. Even though it's relatively short, I still felt like the author rambled a lot in certain chapters.

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern, insightful, and enjoyable

A fairly quick read (a few hours) not because it’s thin on content but because the writing is brisk and interesting. It’s written a lot like one of those Reddit comments where an expert shows up and unloads a treasure trove of experience and knowledge and vaults the post to the front page.

I appreciated the book’s pragmatism and the way the author described the road ahead of me as a language learner. I also liked that the book didn’t treat traveling to/living in a country where the reader’s target language is spoken is the only way to really learn the language. There are lots of tips in here for us internet-based learners.

[barnabas barnabas]

Looking back, I wish someone had told me that learning a foreign language is more about consistency and curiosity than perfection. Small daily habits make the biggest difference. Using a spanish app taught me that structured practice combined with real-life exposure is key. Things like listening to music, watching shows, and trying to speak from day one made learning much more natural and enjoyable than just memorizing words from a textbook.

[Mirela Dorotic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book for language teachers

A lot of good advice regarding reasons and motivation behind language learning. Also some good tips of how to practice one's acquired language skill daily. I will reread and use some parts of the book that I have marked.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening

It has a lot of good ideas and a few tricks for making the study of any language easier. Worthwhile!