Professor Explains How To Learn Languages Properly (Dr. Robert DeKeyser)
Why do so many adults study a language for years but still struggle to speak? In this interview, I speak with Dr. Robert DeKeyser, a leading researcher in second language acquisition, about what actually helps adults build speaking ability.
We discuss why input-only approaches are incomplete for adult learners, how grammar becomes an automatic skill through repeated communicative practice, what to look for in language-learning apps, and when speaking with native speakers or traveling abroad becomes useful. We also cover pronunciation, fossilization, vocabulary, immersion, and whether adults can ever sound like native speakers.
What we're covering:
Why adults and children learn languages differently
The limits of input-only language learning
How to study grammar without overdoing it
Turning grammar knowledge into speaking ability
What to look for in language-learning apps, including Duolingo
When to start practicing with native speakers
Fossilization, pronunciation, and vocabulary
Dr. DeKeyser's experience learning multiple languages
Whether starting young or studying abroad guarantees fluency
A practical framework for building a language-learning program
Chapters:
00:00 - Why language learners struggle to speak
00:33 - Dr. DeKeyser's research and the problem of slow progress
03:32 - Why adults and children learn differently
05:01 - What adults need: grammar, vocabulary, and practice
05:44 - What makes language practice effective
08:35 - The debate over input-only approaches
12:00 - Can input alone lead to fluency?
13:53 - How adults should study grammar
16:01 - Turning grammar knowledge into a speaking skill
20:32 - What to look for in language-learning apps
22:50 - When to start speaking with native speakers
25:12 - Fossilization, pronunciation, and vocabulary
28:33 - Dr. DeKeyser's language-learning journey
34:14 - Why Europeans often learn more languages
37:28 - Does starting young or studying abroad help?
39:22 - Vocabulary vs. grammar vs. pronunciation
41:57 - Can adults achieve native-level pronunciation?
45:46 - A practical one-hour language-learning program
47:26 - Why study abroad is not a magic solution
49:33 - What adult language learners should stop believing
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