What’s the #1 method to learn any language in the world?
That’s a trick question I ask all my clients the first time we meet. I hear a lot of different answers, and they’re all partly true. Most people go straight to the “practice” answer:
“The best way to learn any language is to practice it regularly.”
Is that wrong? Absolutely not. But here at Talk to a Human, we go a little further. We dive a little deeper. Of course, practice is at the core of any learning process, whether it’s a language or a sport. But there’s more to it.
Why do I say it’s a trick question? Because if we really think about it, the best way to learn a language is to be born to parents who are native speakers of that language. Want to learn Hungarian? Be born in Hungary to Hungarian parents. Want to learn Chinese? Same thing. Reincarnate in China to Chinese parents
I know that sounds absurd, but that’s the point. We can’t keep chasing the best way to learn English. We already weren’t born in the UK or the US or raised by Scottish or Australian parents. If that ship has sailed, then the number one best option is gone. It’s out the window.
So what’s #2?
Well, that’s yet another trick question and I’ll tell you why. Let’s go back to the first answer. Why is having native parents the best way to learn a language? Well, for obvious reasons: because you need it to communicate with the people you love most. Human beings are ultrasocial animals, and the need for attachment with our primary caregivers is embedded in our DNA. We’ll do whatever it takes to feel connected to our parents, even conjugating separable phrasal verbs in the result clause of a third conditional.
So if need and emotions are fundamental aspects of #1, then they’re also the key to #2.
#2 is full immersion. If you’re not Irish or Canadian, then the next best thing is to move to Ireland or Canada. That’s method #2: move to a place where the language is spoken natively. Want to learn Portuguese? Move to Rio. Russian? Move to Moscow.
That’s the harsh reality of language learning.
An app won’t do this for you.
So let’s be honest. If you’re here trying to improve your English, chances are you’re not a native speaker. Can you pack your bags and move to Dublin or Los Angeles? If your answer is no, let me introduce you to method #3 (which, for you right now, might as well be #1).
Talk to a Human!
The idea behind it:
Talk to a Human simulates everything we’ve just talked about. I’m not your parent, and I’m not an immigration officer in North America. But I could be a great friend.
That’s my job.
The Talk to a Human method is about real connection using a language you are trying to get better at. The focus is to make the conversations so interesting, so tailored to your likes and dislikes, so thought-provoking, that you’ll forget you’re learning anything. After a few months of sessions you might find yourself wondering, Am I a descendant of Genghis Khan?
Well… maybe! About 1% of the world’s population is.
The point here is the word “descendant”.
Maybe the first time you heard it was in one of our conversation sessions.
Do you see what I'm trying to do here?
It’s not about grammar or vocabulary… learning these is a natural consequence of having a weekly space in your life to talk about things you enjoy talking about to someone you enjoy talking to. In English!
How does it work, exactly?
Our sessions work with free flow. Once we’re connected, we’ll start with the basics:
How are you? How was your week? How’s work? How’s the family?
I’m genuinely interested in all of that.
As you speak, I take notes.
I won’t interrupt.
I won’t correct you mid-sentence.
Don’t apologize! If it’s not wrong, I won’t correct it, so just keep talking… Once you’re finished, we'll go over a few corrections, alternatives, or things you could’ve said differently.
There are no breaks, no awkward silence, there’s only interest and attention. My role as a conversation coach is to create the right environment for the conversation to evolve naturally into something you truly enjoy and then talk to you about all the words you could’ve used. I’m here to hear you and ask you all the right questions. I’ll bring up topics I know you like, because I know you. Every time we meet I’m getting to know you a bit more.
That’s what I aspire to be: the best chat you had this week.
Try me. This will change the way you think about language learning.