Hi, it’s David Ecklund from DavidEcklund.com. Welcome to another one of our Culture Chats here in the library. Today, I want to share how I went from being a monolingual American to achieving this—a C2 level certificate from the Goethe-Institut, the highest internationally recognized German proficiency test. It’s a tough test, with four modules: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
My Journey to Passing the C2 German Exam
You can see from my results that my reading and writing were excellent, my listening was strong, but my speaking? Well, that didn’t go as well as I’d hoped. I got a bit nervous and made a few silly mistakes. But, in the end, I passed the test! Honestly, taking this test was more for personal satisfaction than necessity. I wanted to end any doubts about my German abilities.
If someone questions my German now, they might as well question my English too! Sure, there are still German words or phrases I don’t know, just as in English, but that’s normal.
Learning a Foreign Language as an Adult
I was 29 when I really started learning a foreign language. I had a little language instruction in school—mainly Spanish, with some German and French—but like most people, I wasn’t anywhere near conversational. As an expat dad, if you’ve made a commitment to living in a country that speaks another language, you’re probably at least learning the basics: asking for directions, prices, and so on. But I highly recommend going further, and here’s why.
The Importance of Learning the Local Language
Your children will grow up immersed in the culture of the country you’re living in, and if you’re not fluent enough to participate in that culture, your children might feel foreign to you. To me, that’s unacceptable. They’re not just learning another language—they’re absorbing the culture, the nuances, the essence of where they’re being raised.
Yes, there are always differences when learning a second language as an adult. Parts of the brain that handle first languages are different from those that process languages learned later in life. For example, adults struggle more with accents, but the idea that kids learn languages faster than adults is a myth.
Debunking the Myth: Children Don’t Learn Languages Faster
Children don’t learn languages faster than adults. Sure, they pick up accents and the feeling of naturalness more quickly, but actual language learning takes time. Think about it—how long does it take a baby to learn to read Shakespeare or understand complex subjects? It takes about 20 years! An adult, with proper instruction and dedication, can master a language in one to three years.
So don’t be discouraged if you’re learning as an adult. In fact, you can make faster progress than you think with the right approach.
Becoming a Polyglot: My Language Learning Experience
My journey from monolingual to nearly polyglot is unusual. I’m an autodidact.When I started out, I was fully committed to learning my first foreign language—Russian. I dove into it with intense focus, learning to speak fluently within a year. Later, I attended Moscow State University, the Harvard of Russia, where I gained the same geographical, historical, and literary background as a Russian high school graduate. That was the perfect way to round off my Russian studies.
I didn’t take a formal Russian exam like the Goethe-Institut test for German, but teaching English in Moscow really helped me solidify my language skills. It was intense—my visa was tied to my tuition, and I had to pay each month, or I’d be in Russia illegally, which is no joke! It was a high-pressure environment, but it fueled my learning.
Language Learning Techniques: What Worked for Me
I used techniques from internet polyglots like Professor Alexander Arguelles, and Benny the Irish Polyglot of “Fluent in Three Months” fame. Professor Arguelles focuses on reading—he claims to be able to read any text produced in Europe over the last thousand years—but he doesn’t prioritize speaking. On the other hand, Benny emphasizes conversational fluency, having conversations on day one. Both approaches taught me valuable lessons, and I recommend checking them out if you’re serious about language learning.
The key takeaway is that the techniques themselves aren’t complex—learning a language is hard, but the methods are straightforward. Engage socially, push through nervousness or introversion, and make language a priority.
Final Thoughts: Why Language Learning Matters
To wrap up, my main message to you as an expat dad is this: learn the language of the place where your children are growing up. It’s not just about language; it’s about connecting with your children on a cultural level. Make it a priority, just as your children are a priority in your life.
That’s my take—thanks for joining me today for another Culture Chat. Til next time!