According to Google, there are over 7,000 languages in the world. Obviously, you are not going to be able to acquire even half of these, but if you want to get along globally and explore other cultures, you would do well to pick up a second language, or two, or three. Polyglots can fluently speak a minimum of four languages. They also can comprehend languages they have not yet learned to speak.
I started my language learning with French in High School and never really acquired the language. I can speak a few basic sentences but that is all. Now I have begun an ambitious learning adventure to acquire and become fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Basically, because I was once told it was the most difficult language to acquire in the world. My Chinese friends are amazed at how quickly I am beginning to both speak and comprehend their language.
Some of the tools I have used and am now using are listed below. The key, as explained by polyglots, is immersion into the language you are trying to acquire. I have chosen these tools to begin immersing into the Chinese language and culture.
Platforms I have used…
- Chineasy [Chinese]
- Mandarin Blueprint [Chinese]
- Lingopie [Multiple Languages]
- Pimsleur [Multiple Languages]
Platforms that I have not yet used but plan to try eventually…