One hilarious video I recently watched was from BigDawsTV, titled “GOOGLE TRANSLATE GONE WRONG PRANK!!” It really made me laugh out loud. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend searching for it on YouTube. Just type the title in the search bar you won’t miss it!
But while watching it, something interesting popped into my head as an English learner: “Why are these foreigners able to speak so many different languages besides English?” They already speak English fluently so what motivates or enables them to speak French, Spanish, Arabic, or Chinese as well? That curiosity pushed me to dig deeper into the topic.
Why Foreigners Speak Multiple Languages
The more I researched and reflected, the more I realized that being multilingual isn’t just about being “smart.” There are actual reasons why some people learn foreign languages easily. It mostly comes down to environment, early exposure, necessity, and motivation.
In many countries especially in Europe and parts of Africa it’s normal for people to grow up speaking two or three languages. In places like Switzerland or Belgium, you’ll find children speaking French, German, Dutch, and English from a very young age. Their schools teach multiple languages, their neighbors speak different dialects, and crossing the border often means switching languages. It becomes a natural part of life.
Many of them also start early as kids which gives them a head start. Their brains absorb different sounds and structures more easily than adults do. And let’s not forget that many people are naturally curious and love learning languages just for fun, culture, or travel
Why Do Foreigners Speak So Many Languages?There’s
actually a fascinating mix of reasons why many foreigners or more accurately,
people in other countries often speak multiple languages. Let me break it down
clearly:
·
In
many countries, learning a second (or even third) language is mandatory from a
young age.
·
For
example, in Europe, it’s common for children to start learning English or
French by age 6 or 7. Some countries require two foreign languages in school.
2.
Smaller
Native Language Populations
·
People
whose first language has fewer global speakers often learn other languages to
communicate internationally.
·
Example:
Swiss or Dutch people might speak 3–4 languages because their own language is
limited globally.
3.
Cultural
and Economic Reasons
·
Multilingualism
opens doors to better jobs, education, and travel opportunities.
·
Many
countries are more interconnected, so speaking multiple languages is practical
for business and tourism.
4. Exposure Through Media
·
Watching
foreign movies, TV shows, or online content can make learning languages easier.
·
Europeans,
for example, often watch shows in English without dubbing, which naturally
improves their language skills.
5. Geography
·
People
living near borders or in regions with multiple ethnic groups are often
bilingual or trilingual.
·
Example:
In Belgium, people speak French, Dutch, and sometimes German, depending on the
region.
6. Cognitive and Social Benefits
· Many
foreigners grow up seeing multilingualism as normal, so their brains develop
flexibility in picking up languages.
· Socially,
knowing multiple languages makes it easier to communicate with neighbors,
friends, or business partners.
In short: foreigners often
speak many languages because their societies value multilingualism, smaller
native languages push them to learn others, and geography or daily exposure
encourages it. For many, it’s just a natural part of life.
You may also read - "Things Foreign Tourists Always Ask About Indonesia".
The Difference: Foreign Language vs. Second Language
This brings me to the terms “second language” and “foreign language”, which are often misunderstood. So what’s the difference?
• Learning English as a Second Language (ESL) means I am learning English in a country where it is spoken daily like the U.S., UK, Canada, or Australia. People in that situation are surrounded by English, so they need to use it to work, study, shop, or socialize. It becomes part of their daily survival.
• On the other hand, learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) means I am learning English in a country where it is not used every day like my country,Indonesia. That’s my case. I don’t use English at the market, at school, or while talking with neighbors. I have to actively seek out English by watching YouTube, reading, or writing blog posts like this one.
That’s what makes my journey different. I’m learning English as a foreign language, and I need to create opportunities to practice. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely rewarding.
 |
| This is me with the Collins COBUILD English Dictionary. I’ll share the background story of this dictionary in my next blog post. This photo was taken a few years ago at my home |
My Language Learning Journey
So no, I didn’t grow up speaking five languages. But that’s okay. I’m proud to say I’m learning English step by step from Indonesia, on my own terms. Watching videos, reading articles, blogging, and engaging online all help me make progress.
Every new word I learn is a small victory. I might not be fluent in several languages (yet), but I enjoy the process. And for me, that’s what really matters.
Are you learning English like me where it’s not spoken around you every day?
Or are you living in a place where English is part of daily life?
I’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment below, and feel free to share this post with fellow learners!
A Message From Asep Haryono
"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well. Please leave any comment down below. Let me hear from you. Greetings from Indonesia"
Your English is excellent and thanks for the video recommenations -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteO really. I have been learning English more than fourteen years but until at the moment I never consider myself as fluent. I made lots of mistakes, and I did the mistakes almost in every day
DeleteSome of us learn a bit of another language in high school because it's a required course. I took 2 semesters of Spanish back in high school because it was required, it was either Spanish or French that was offered. It was hard learning to speak another language and I've all but forgotten most of it. So I applaud you for learning English and speaking it so well here on your blog.
ReplyDeleteOh really, thanks.
DeleteI have been learning English since my first year of junior high school, and I had to drop out of my English major at university in 1995. It took me more than 12 years to get to the level I'm at now, and I'm still learning.