4 PhDs at the Table and Countless Languages in the Air
It's only fair to mention, I hail from an academic lineage. Picture this: four PhDs gathered around our family table of 5. We each speak at least 7 foreign languages. Within our extended family, languages were regarded as vital tools for survival rather than mere objectives. However, we don't all have the same language proficiency. Thus my sister is fluent in Latin, Greek, and Czech, languages I don't speak. While I've studied Latin and can comprehend Czech to some extent, my language skills are limited beyond that. My mother, fluent in about 20 languages, humbly claims she's not proficient in any. Thus, she imparts a valuable lesson: in language learning, it's a journey of perpetual growth; mastery is ever-elusive. I've learned from my mother the importance of daily language practice; it must become a part of one's routine. As such, I read newspapers and digital platforms in at least five languages every morning. I listen to foreign language podcasts while driving and spend weekends in foreign countries, among other practices.
The Influence of Home Libraries on Childhood Education
Research I contributed to exploring the impact of educated parents on children's knowledge revealed a crucial factor: the home environment. The study found that the size of the home library directly correlates with a child's level of education. As a child, I was immersed in a world of books spanning multiple languages. When I sought to read a renowned novel, I often found it available only in German or French on our shelves. This became the quickest route to experiencing the story.
Unveiling the Power of Curiosity
Curiosity is an indispensable trait for both scientists and entrepreneurs. To stay ahead in both the realms of science and the market, we must remain deeply interested in - erything. Similarly, mastering languages demands extraordinary dedication. My journey began in Israel, where I immersed myself in Hebrew and English through play at the age of 7. At 12, I eagerly sought to learn French, prompting my mother to arrange for a tutor in Switzerland. As I served and studied simultaneously, I absorbed French voraciously, with a daily quota of 100 new words. I devoured every bit of language I encountered. Naturally, it irked me when my parents conversed in German to keep their discussions private. This served as a powerful motivation for me to learn the language.
Dive into Your Mother Tongue: The First Language Immersion
I advocate for learning a foreign language in a country where it is spoken. Ironically, as a language professor, I stood alone in opposing the introduction of a second foreign language in the first grade of primary school. I firmly believe that a child should first master their native language before tackling a foreign one. Undoubtedly, the most effective learning occurs within a small circle of friends, acquaintances, or even romantic partners who exclusively communicate in the language you are learning. Despite studying three foreign languages in high school, I only truly learned Italian while in Italy. If given the opportunity to design the curriculum, I would undoubtedly incorporate a year of practical work abroad at the culmination of high school.
Language proficiency and bluffing
To accurately assess knowledge, there exists a European reference scale (CERF). While I comprehend all Slavic languages (including Czech, Slovak, Polish, Belarusian, Ukrainian), this does not imply fluency in them. I haven't stated anywhere that I speak them (not among the 8). It's unacceptable for someone unfamiliar with Croatian and Serbian literary standards to assert proficiency in both. More likely, they're speaking a hybrid, a "Yugoslav mix". Similarly, speaking standard German doesn't equate to proficiency in Swiss German or the Austrian Carinthian dialect, though I understand them to a significant extent. For me, disclosing language skills is as straightforward as running a 100m race or hurdling 300m - the evaluation of proficiency is precise.
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