The Multi-Passionate Advantage
How to Succeed in Language Learning
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my own language learning strategies. You should know that I’m currently preparing a presentation on how to learn foreign languages, and I wanted to include some personal tips.
You’ve probably heard about many different strategies—what courses or books to use, which videos to watch, or which podcasts to listen to. And all of those tips are really useful. But I want to share something a little different.
If you’re anything like me, you’re a multi-passionate person, and I believe this plays a huge role in my language learning success.
I have a wide range of interests, and I truly enjoy the opportunity to dive deep into each subject. Whether it’s researching wild herbs for culinary adventures, crafting natural cosmetics, weaving bands with a special comb, painting furniture, hiking, mountain biking, cooking recipes from around the world, traveling, studying geology, collecting stones, or learning new languages, I immerse myself fully in every topic. I’m also fascinated by technology and love figuring out how things work—a nod to my analytical side as an engineer. I even occasionally take out my guitar and play something I learned 15 years ago, reconnecting with a past passion.
Saying that, I just got an email from an online course platform promising me: ‘Find a hobby you’ll love.’ I deleted it, telling myself, ‘Not today!’ 😂😂😂
Of course, it isn’t always easy to be drawn to new topics and hobbies. Sometimes, deciding whether to follow a new idea can be quite challenging. For a long time, I struggled to answer what might seem like simple questions: “What do you work on?” or “What are your hobbies?”
Although I’ve been working as an engineer, I would never define myself solely by that profession—it’s just a part of who I am. And when it came to hobbies, I wasn’t even sure where to start.
However, embracing the challenges of being multi-passionate has shown me that there’s so much more to gain from it, especially when it comes to language learning.
You’ve certainly heard that immersing yourself in your target language and culture is key. And that’s exactly where being multi-passionate helps!
The more interests you have, the more opportunities you create for immersion!
There’s always a new topic you’re eager to learn more about, and you can easily dive into it using your target language.
Start small. If you love cooking, learn the ingredients of a recipe in your target language. Later, explore the names of different plants and their uses. If you’re interested in technical or financial topics, try reading online magazines or articles in your target language. And if you want to dive into a new hobby, consider traveling to a place where your target language is spoken and taking a course. By following your varied interests, you create countless opportunities and immersive experiences that can accelerate your journey towards your language goals.
