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The Way of the Linguist: A Language Learning Odyssey
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The Way of The Linguist, A language learning odyssey. It is now a clich�(c) that the world is a smaller place. We think nothing of jumping on a plane to travel to another country or continent. The most exotic locations are now destinations for mass tourism. Small business people are dealing across frontiers and language barriers like never before. The Internet brings diffe
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Start your review of The Way of the Linguist: A Language Learning Odyssey
The Way of the Linguist was a great read. The way he explained language learning was very clear and made sense. His experiences were real and instilled a sense of hope for language learners. I really learned a lot from this book.
I read it in French and am currently reading it in Spanish. Very interesting language-learning auto-biography that makes it clear how and why Steve developed his listening-plus-reading no-grammar methodology and why it worked. Serves as a good background to using the LingQ website (www.lingq.com).
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In THE LINGUIST: A Personal Guide to Language Learning, Steve Kaufmann promises to impart to you the insights that he has gained over a lifetime of learning several languages. The way the book was published and the amateur typesetting that greets you as you open the volume don't augur well. And indeed, the author ends up being something of a doddering old man, who goes into long tangents that have little to do with his proclaimed mission of language education, e.g.:
"As a poor student, I did not ...more
"As a poor student, I did not ...more
“Il ne sert à rien d'être "pour" ou "contre" quelque chose qui est inévitable. Il est plus utile d'investir du temps et de l'énergie à profiter et tirer avantage de la (situation).
Apprendre une langue est comme voyager. Les deux choses sont des aventures. Cela est inutile de voyager à l'étranger si c'est pour se comporter comme si vous étiez restés chez vous. (...) Dans les classes les plus efficaces ce n'est pas la langue qui est apprise, mais d'autres sujets qui intéressent les élèves. En étu ...more
Apprendre une langue est comme voyager. Les deux choses sont des aventures. Cela est inutile de voyager à l'étranger si c'est pour se comporter comme si vous étiez restés chez vous. (...) Dans les classes les plus efficaces ce n'est pas la langue qui est apprise, mais d'autres sujets qui intéressent les élèves. En étu ...more
Steve’s personal stories were fascinating and he is certainly impressive. Sadly, his writing and language strategies were a bit repetitive and uninspiring.
Rounded up from 3.5 stars. In terms of the language-learning advice, it's all really good, but it could fit into a couple of pages at most (something along the lines of: read a lot, listen a lot, maximise comprehensible input, do a bit of writing, focus on material you're interested in, don't worry about perfection, and don't start with grammar books). The rest of the book is memoir and anecdotes. Pleasant enough, but not what I was after.
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If you ever wondered exactly how and why Steve Kaufmann acquired all the language he knows, this book does just that. However, this book didn't really teach me anything new about learning languages. Most of the book was just Steve Kaufmann explaining his experience with languages and lots of stories about himself in different countries and so on. The part explaining how to learn a language was very basic and mainly just gave a summary of everything. I would have liked to see a more in-depth expl
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interesting as a wholistic approach to language learning, but kind of poorly written. the first part - personal experiences of the author - takes up half the book and is basically irrelevant.
still, worth reading and checking out the linguist system.
still, worth reading and checking out the linguist system.
This book is fantastic. It gives you a whole new view on language learning, a view that will empower you for the rest of your life. I actually translated it from English to Italian for www.lingq.com, the author's language learning web-application.
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This book mixes Steve's autobiography with his own tips on how to learn languages. I believe that the first part is somewhat unappealing to those who do not follow Steve already. Since I have watched many of his videos and read his blog posts, I was curious enough to learn about his life and how he came to be who he is.
On the language learning part, there is good advice there, but nothing new from what you can read from Steve's posts. That said, don't expect him to unveil the secret of language ...more
On the language learning part, there is good advice there, but nothing new from what you can read from Steve's posts. That said, don't expect him to unveil the secret of language ...more
Speaking from my own experience, I found Steve's book to seamlessly align itself with my own strategies and philosophy of language learning. The bit in which he discusses acting as though you were a native while reading aloud to yourself or while speaking with others was brilliant and, as I've come to understand, does indeed add new flavours to your character while swapping languages. I'd recommend this read to anyone keen on "working smarter, not harder" in regard to the effectiveness of their
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While speaking 16 languages, 6 of them fluently, Steve Kaufmann is a bit of a language guru. Steve presents his linguistic journey from his early days studying in France and backpacking across Europe to his career in international business in Asia. In the second half of the book, Steve goes into the details of what is required to effectively learn a language and shares his systematic approach to language acquisition.
The Way of the Linguist: A Language Learning Odyssey is an interesting read for ...more
The Way of the Linguist: A Language Learning Odyssey is an interesting read for ...more
I learnt about more about Mr.Kaufmann's travels and jobs than about language learning. I understand that he tries to use his journeys as a context for his language learning, but the book is far too focused on his adventures and even about the Chinese culture than anything else. The paragraphs dedicated to languages offers basic advice, which can be found in almost all language websites, such as "you've got to dedicate the time" and "immersing yourself in the target language is very important". T
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The author shares his long journey of his language learning, and I found it is really inspiring for all people who are involved in language learning. The spike for me was his attitude towards languages. Languages are deeply interrelated with its cultures and histories, and all learners should appreciate the different way to describe the world. His every sentence has made me a better language learner.
This was the first entire book I read in French so I’m quite proud of myself for that. As a language learner I found it really reassuring and comforting when such a talented polyglot candidly shares his trials and tribulations. Some chapters resonated with me a lot more than others, but overall a great read.
Incredible!
Fascinating for anyone who is learning or wants to learn a new language.
This book was inspirational to me and I think that is what pushed me to keep learning new languages, I recommend it, it is a worthwhile reading!
Excellent. Read the French version. He’s such an inspiration for language learners.
Steve is an inspiration. I love his enthusiasm towards learning.
3.5/5⭐
C'est bon et simple guide avec la meilleur methode d'apprentissage des langues differentes.
Après ce livre, vous ne voudrez plus payer pour formaliste académique apprentissage des langues ...more
Après ce livre, vous ne voudrez plus payer pour formaliste académique apprentissage des langues ...more
One of the best book which shows you some ways to boost languages learning
Learning languages
I enjoyed reading this book very much, especially the middle part where he explains how to learn a language. That was worthwhile.
I enjoyed reading this book very much, especially the middle part where he explains how to learn a language. That was worthwhile.
"Dans les classes les plus efficaces ce n'est pas la langue qui est apprise, mais d'autres sujets qui intéressent les élèves. En étudiant un autre sujet les élèves absorbent la langue, et sont moins conscients de leurs propres difficultés linguistiques, dans leur enthousiasme de communiquer à propos de quelque chose qui les intéresse.”
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Dec 21, 2008
Steve
added it
I wrote this book myself. It is both an autobiography of how I came to learn nine languages, and a description of how to learn languages effectively and enjoyably. I would be interested in what others think of the book.
Mr. Kaufmann is a extraordinary polyglot. Inside this book, you're going to descover how Mr. Kaufmann has learnt so many languages and, by listening to his experiences, you can set your own language learning path!
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