Can You Learn Multiple Languages at Once?

Langoly is supported by our readers. We review products independently, but we may earn affiliate commissions if you buy through links on this page. Please read our full disclosure for more information.

Can you learn multiple languages at once? In short: Yes! Learning languages can be addicting. There’s a certain thrill when you can finally express a certain idea or you understand what’s being said on a TV show. For me, it was when I told a joke in Spanish and people laughed (and not just at my poor pronunciation!).

Once you’ve mastered that first foreign language, you might want to ride that high and learn another…and another…and another. There’s Portuguese, Japanese, Cantonese…. Just like Pokemon, you gotta catch ‘em all!

Learning multiple languages at once isn’t always that simple though. In this article, we’ll see how you can learn multiple languages at once, and give you tips to try as well as mistakes to avoid to make the process easier.

Can You Learn Multiple Languages at Once?

Our brains are well-equipped to learn more than one language at a time. This can be seen in infants and young children. Many children are brought up in multilingual families and they learn their first languages (plural) simply through immersion and repetition. If only it were so easy for us adults!

But even past the childhood stage, there are examples throughout the world in which school-aged children are exposed to multiple languages once they start formal education and pick up languages almost as easily as infants. In most European countries, a second language, as well as a third, are common requirements for completing basic schooling. Many students graduate knowing at least 2 or 3 languages to a near fluent level. 

But if you’re already an adult, do you still have the ability to learn more than one language? While it’s proven that children can absorb languages more easily, that doesn’t mean an adult can’t also learn more than one language. In fact, it’s beneficial for mental health to continue learning languages into adulthood.

We know it’s possible to learn multiple languages at once, but that still leaves the question of “how?” Let’s look at some helpful hints as well as some pitfalls to avoid along the way.

Tips for Learning Two Languages at the Same Time

If you’ve decided you want to learn Cantonese and German and Arabic all at the same time (you’re very ambitious if you have), here are some tips on how to go about this mammoth task. As with learning a single language, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Learning a language takes time, patience, and most of all, effort.

Master One Language. Then Move on to Others

While the idea of learning multiple languages at a time is appealing, if you don’t already have one foreign language down to a high level, learning another might prove to be tricky.

Studies show that learning the first foreign language is the hardest and then becomes easier for additional languages because your brain develops connections and patterns between the languages you know. And, after learning one language, you’ve developed the tools and skills necessary for successful language learning.

Most experts agree that, when learning your first foreign language, you should focus only on that one until you’ve reached a conversational level. Then it will be possible to learn additional foreign languages more easily.

Use the Languages You Know to Study New Ones

First and foremost, you’ve already learned HOW to learn a language. This is no ordinary task. You’ve already learned what works for you and what types of study methods fit into your daily routine. 

Second, once you understand the differences between your primary language and the foreign languages you know, your brain is sure to create connections with new foreign languages.. I promise you that you’ll have certain “aha!” moments as your brain makes connections between the different languages.

Additionally, you probably know what the present perfect tense is, or maybe what adjective-noun order is. These are big knowledge hurdles that many people who haven’t learned a second language don’t know. Trust me, ask a native English speaker why we say “I am, you are, he is.” Chances are, they have no idea since it’s something they picked up on intuitively as a child. But someone who’s learned another language has already experienced the joys of verb conjugations.

You can also use what you know from similar languages. One example is the Romance languages. If you already speak one, it won’t be too difficult to take what you already know and apply it to the others. A resource like this comparative grammar book can be really helpful in this context.

Another example of similarities across languages are Chinese characters and Japanese Kanji. If you’re already familiar with Chinese, learning Kanji will be much simpler than for someone with no previous exposure. German, Dutch, and Afrikaans also share quite a lot of grammar so if you know one, you can easily apply what you know to the others.

Dedicate Time to All Your Languages

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you have to have quality study sessions for every language you want to learn, not cram them all into the same session. You don’t even have to split the time 50/50. If you have a greater need to learn one of the languages, spend more time on that one. But make sure you still are dedicating time, at least two or three times a week, to the other language if you want to see progress.

And don’t forget about the languages you’ve already reached a high level of proficiency in. Even if you aren’t actively “learning” them, it’s important to refresh your memory to retain your progress. You know what they say: Use it or lose it!

It’s All About Immersion

This tip applies to any language you’re learning. Whether it’s your first, second, or hundredth, the sooner you can incorporate authentic material into your language learning routine, the better. This provides a sense of learning through immersion, even if you don’t live in a country that speaks the language.

While language-learning apps, books, and courses are great for helping you master the basics, you’ll greatly improve your listening comprehension, and even speaking, when you start listening to podcasts or reading news articles in your target language. Even if you don’t understand everything, this kind of practice helps you put the grammar and vocabulary you know into context. This is the ultimate goal: real-life application.

The good news is that there are so many resources available. With the internet, you can easily find a podcast or YouTube channel in your target language. And don’t forget about social media. Start following content creators who produce content in your target language to make learning as easy as checking your phone.

Don’t Overdo It

You have the excitement to learn multiple languages, but do you have the stamina? It’s a lofty goal that’s not meant for everyone. But it’s achievable if you have the drive and motivation. 

As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Nor will it be possible for you to pick up another language at the drop of a hat. While you might be excited to start learning Finnish or Vietnamese, it’s important to create a realistic timeline to meet your goal. 

It’s easy to become overzealous with the excitement of learning a language. I’ve been guilty of it. I started a streak of learning Catalan on Duolingo and caught the language bug. But I quickly dropped it because I wasn’t practicing at a sustainable pace. Avoid burnout by creating a schedule that will work in the long run.

Mistakes to Avoid When Learning Multiple New Languages

Now that you have some useful tips to make the most of your study time, here are some common pitfalls that you should avoid as you begin to study multiple languages at once.

Mistake 1: Choosing Languages You Don’t Have Much Interest In

Learning a new language just for the sake of learning a new language isn’t worth it. To keep up a consistent study routine, most people need a driving motivation to keep dedicating so much time and effort. For me, I think it would be cool to learn Thai, but since I don’t have any relatives in Thailand, nor a significant draw to the country besides wanting to visit, I probably wouldn’t get very far.

Many people learn a language because they want to live in the country or they have ties to the culture, through family. These are more deep-rooted reasons to learn a language that will propel you forward when you get stuck and you’re contemplating why you even started learning a language in the first place.

Mistake 2: Using the Same Study Material for All Languages

Some of our favorite language learning apps allow you to study all the languages they have available for the price of one subscription. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best way to learn. Each language is unique and deserves to be treated as such. Learning an Asian language that requires using a different script will need other resources than one that’s more similar to English.

If you’re just starting, Babbel offers beginner courses that have each been created individually by linguistics to teach you the nuances of the language. Or if you’re learning an Asian language like Japanese or Korean, an app like LingoPie helps you learn while you watch your favorite TV shows.

Mistake 3: Trying to Study Both Languages in the Same Session

Each language deserves its own time and attention so it’s important to set aside separate time for both. When you create your study routine, plan out specific sessions for each one. Make sure to take a break in between to clear your mind and give it a bit of a rest. It’s even beneficial to study in different physical locations and with different styles. For example, you can study Greek on the way to work with a podcast, but learn Tagolog at your kitchen table after dinner. This will provide a clear mental separation.

Mistake 4: Not Setting Reasonable Goals

Each language is different, so your language-learning goals should be different, as well. You’re likely to see noticeable progress much faster in a language that’s more similar to English since you’ll know some vocabulary through cognates and recognize a similar sentence structure. There’s a reason why the US Department of State classifies languages by difficulty based on how similar they are to English.

And the priority of each language is important for determining your goals. If you have a more immediate need to learn Russian, your goal might include reaching a high level of fluency or being able to read business documents. But if you’re learning German at the same time as more of a hobby, maybe learning a few essential words and phrases is enough while you focus on Russian.

Mistake 5: Underestimating the Time it Will Take

It would be nice to think that by studying two languages together, we can learn in half the time. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. You may learn a third or fourth language faster than you did the second one because you now know how to learn, but you still have to put in the time and effort for both languages.

Before you try to learn multiple languages, take a look at your calendar and think about how much time you can realistically dedicate to language learning. Create a potential weekly study schedule to see if you realistically have the time to dedicate to multiple languages. If you don’t, it might be better to focus on only one language at a time.

But if learning languages is truly your passion and you’re willing to set aside the necessary time to study, then go for it!

Can You Learn Multiple Languages at Once? The Definitive Answer

So, can you learn multiple languages at once? Yes! But the real question is: should you? Unless you’re in immediate need of several foreign languages at the same time or have a strong passion for languages, it might be better to learn each language separately, and do it well.

Learning a foreign language is a lofty goal that you should be proud to achieve, even if it’s just one language. But if you’re interested in learning multiple languages at once, the most important thing is to have the time and resources necessary.

Best of luck in whatever language(s) you’re learning and remember that language-learning should be fun, not a chore.