How Steve Kaufmann Learned 20 Languages - StoryLearning

5/29/24, 10:25 AM How Steve Kaufmann Learned 20 Languages – StoryLearning
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How Steve Kaufmann Learned

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20 Languages The 
Fun Way I’ve written some simple emails explaining the
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techniques I’ve usedByto
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Have you dreamed of speaking multiple languages for years but somehow never got
around to learning? Do you catch yourself muttering, “I'm too old to learn a new
language now”?
Think again!
Language guru Steve Kaufmann has proved over and over that you're never too old to
learn a new language.
“I've learned more languages in the last 15 years than I learned up to the age of 60.”
Steve Kaufmann
Yes, you read that right!” Steve speaks 20 languages — and he learned most of them
after turning 60.
Steve believes anyone can learn to speak a new language at any age. And I agree!
So, let's hit that “I'm too old to learn a language,” excuse right out of the park and
investigate Steve's method.
Pro Tip
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If you prefer watching videos to reading, hit play on the video below to watch the
video version of this post. Otherwise, keep scrolling to read the blog post version.
Pivotal Early Experience

Now, we'll start with the elephant in the room. Because yes, like many polyglots, such
as Luca Lampariello (https://storylearning.com/blog/luca-lampariello), Steve
Kaufmann had some pivotal language learning experiences.
But these lessons weren't crucial because he had them when he was young. They
were pivotal because they gave Steve confidence. As he says:
Steal My Method? ×
 some simple emails explaining the
I’ve written
“You know a lot of people have never had that experience so they don't believe
they can do it. But once I becameGet Started
a fluent Now!
speaker of another language, I knew that
I could do it.”
Steve Kaufmann
In other words, Steve's language learning experience generated confidence, which

helped him to leap at opportunities to learn more.
And what opportunities they were!
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Opportunities, Confidence,
Competence, Challenge Get Started Now!
Steve's journey started with a college professor whose French Civilisation class lit a
fire in Steve. He immersed himself in learning the language and culture.
That led to three years in Paris studying at L'Institut d’Études Politiques (Institute of
Political Studies) and an early career as a Canadian diplomat.
Then the call came out for a diplomat to learn Mandarin in Hong Kong. Some people
held back, but not Steve. Because he had already learned French, Steve was confident
that he could master another language.
Once again, he threw himself into learning the culture and language, and the
dedication paid off. Then with French and Mandarin under his belt, Steve went to
Japan and immersed himself in Japanese life.
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Get Started Now!
Now, you might think, “I didn't get those early pivotal experiences, so I'll never learn a
language now!”
But, here's the lesson from Steve's experience.
The crucial part doesn't lie in Steve's age when he learned French, Mandarin and
Japanese. It lies in the motivation, confidence and dedication to learning that
enabled Steve to seize his opportunities and rise to the challenge.
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“When I look back on it now, the main thing was the motivation. But I needed to be
very much motivated because itGet
wasStarted Now!
a lot of work.”
Steve Kaufmann
Motivation — seizing opportunities — rising to the challenge! You've probably already

cultivated these traits in other areas of your life. And Steve believes you can harness
them to learn new languages at any age.
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What Does Steve Actually Do To
Learn A Language? Get Started Now!
“There's only one rule — do what you like doing. In my case it's listening to and
reading things of interest and occasionally reviewing words and going out to
speak to people in that language.”
Steve Kaufmann Steal My Method? ×

I’ve written
And(https://storylearning.com/terms-of-service).
here's the key to Steve's success. Do what you like doing!
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Do What You Like Doing
Steve's first key is to learn languages in a way that's fun for you.
Make sure you're in alignment with yourself.
If you like what you're doing, you'll do more of it. So, is the way you're currently
learning a language fun? Steal My Method? ×
If you love reading, why are you trying  with
I’vetowritten
learn some simple
apps? emails
If you adoreexplaining the
conversation,
shouldn't you be finding lots of opportunities to speak?
Do🏅you love watching

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The point is this: If you're having fun while learning, you're more likely to stick to it
and progress. That, of course, will motivate you to learn even more.
Focus On Input First
Input means helping your brain soak up the new language — vocabulary, grammar,
pronunciation and more — by reading, listening or watching as much as you possibly
can.
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It's a bit like doing DAY

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language speaking for
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when you put in lots of listening and reading first. This must be why Steve and I get
on so well, because the StoryLearning® method involves a similar approach
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(https://storylearning.com/blog/10-rules-storylearning).
Of course, the texts should be at your level; Steve uses simple mini stories for his
initial efforts. (If you're looking for more stories to support your language learning,
check out my short story books (https://storylearning.com/books) for multiple
languages and levels).
In fact, to make things super easy for you, he's got a whole heap of them on his
website LingQ (https://www.storylearning.com/lingq).
Do More Whenever You Can
Steal My Method? ×
I’ve written
After the basics, start

🏅MEMORIAL DAY listening
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sequences-listening-comprehension) whenever you can.
Getbreakfast.
Steve listens as he prepares and eats Started Now!
He listens some more while he's
cleaning up. There are listening opportunities during workouts and even more when
he's out and about in the car.
Steve can easily squeeze an hour or more of listening into every day just by fitting it
into normal everyday activities.
Of course, the next question is — how can you apply this learning technique? What
“dead time” do you have in your day that you can dedicate to listening practice?
All that input adds up over the weeks and months to create a powerful bank of
passive vocabulary and grammar knowledge to tap into when you speak.
Steal My Method? ×
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Occasionally
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Polyglots have many different methods for language learning; there's no “one size fits
all.”.
That being said, most polyglots would agree that there is a place for making lists and
vocabulary reviews.
However, Steve says the trick is in that word, “occasionally”. You can use flashcards,
write lists, play with apps, and so on, but don't be fooled into thinking that
memorising words alone will teach you the language. Reviewing words and phrases
is just one piece of the puzzle.
Steal My Method? ×
I’ve written
Our 80-95%
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of your timeto should
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I couldn't to usemore!
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Don't RushDAY
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Some language experts are adamant you should start speaking from day one. Others,
like Steve, say wait until you feel ready.
The early-speech brigade argues with some truth that that's a recipe for
procrastination – you might never feel ready. Steve, of course, feels you should input
lots first and then speak.
However, he's not dogmatic about it. He thinks about language learning holistically —
with fun coming first and foremost.
Steal My Method? ×
I’ve written
“When you need to speak the language, if you have a large passive vocabulary, you
Get quickly.
will be able to speak. It'll come quite StartedBut,
Now!there again, it'll be something
that you WANT to do. So, if you want to speak early — speak. If you don't want to
speak early, don't worry about it.”
Steve Kaufmann
Steve reckons,“everything can work if you enjoy doing it.”
Language Learning Isn't A Competition
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Some people thriveDAY

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Kaufmann isn't into making comparisons when learning new languages.
He sees it as a personal challenge. Get Started Now!
“I'm not comparing myself to others. Some people are going faster; some people
are going to pronounce better; some people are going to learn faster, slower,
whatever. It doesn't matter. I'm learning it for myself, so I'm not competing.”
Steve Kaufmann
That reduces the stress level and makes learning more enjoyable and effective.
You Don't Have To Be Perfect

Steve Kaufmann isn't a perfectionist. He learns languages to communicate and have
fun and doesn't stress over mistakes.
“If I was hung up on perfection I'd be forever perfecting my Japanese, so I would

never have explored Greek, Romanian or Arabic. I would rather explore more, than
perfect what I already have now.”
Steve Kaufmann
Steal My Method? ×
Don't let perfectionism prevent you from exploring your interests.
I’ve written
Work Consistently And Have Fun
Get Started Now!
It's safe to say Steve Kaufmann knows a thing or two about language learning.
But, if I had to condense his learning philosophy into just a few words, I can't go past
these gems:
Work hard, stay motivated, and have fun!
Why? Because these are at the heart of all my StoryLearning® method, where you
learn a language thanks to stories, not Steal
rules.My Method?
If you'd love to learn by reading stories, ×
click here for a free 7-day trial of the course of your
I’ve written
choice
some simple emails explaining the
(https://learn.storylearning.com/uncovered-select-language/).
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5/29/24, 10:25 AM How Steve Kaufmann Learned 20 Languages – StoryLearning

How Steve Kaufmann Learned

🏅Find out more and

Pivotal Early Experience

In other words, Steve's language learning experience generated confidence, which

And what opportunities they were!

But, here's the lesson from Steve's experience.

Motivation — seizing opportunities — rising to the challenge! You've probably already

Steve Kaufmann Steal My Method? ×

But let's break thisDAY

Make sure you're in alignment with yourself.

Do🏅you love watching

Focus On Input First

It's a bit like doing DAY

Do More Whenever You Can

After the basics, start

Steve reckons,“everything can work if you enjoy doing it.”

Language Learning Isn't A Competition

Some people thriveDAY

You Don't Have To Be Perfect

“If I was hung up on perfection I'd be forever perfecting my Japanese, so I would

Work hard, stay motivated, and have fun!

🏅MEMORIAL DAY SALE 🏅 Join our premium

Language Blog Meet Our Team

Podcast LOVE (https://storylearning.com/love)

 some simple emails explaining the

Our website uses cookies to provide you the best experience.

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