The 10 Essential Rules to SMART Language Learning contains the 10 most important rules for learning any language. They’re based on Luca’s powerful trifecta of mindset, skill set and self-organization.
Luca Lampariello is a polyglot and language coach. He currently speaks 14 languages (Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Japanese, Chinese, Swedish, Greek) and continues to actively learn new languages.
I always like to talk about the good and the bad side of things, but regarding this book I really have nothing bad to say.
It is well written, concise, clear, fun to read, and very useful. If you're into language learning, be it as a beginner or as a seasoned polyglot, this is definitely a great read.
Even though I already knew or was familiar with most of the concepts in the book, the way Luca presents and explains them is just wonderful, always with an interesting personal story to back them up. Each chapter leaves you with that enlightening sensation of "Wow, how didn't I think of that before?", again and again till the very end.
Top personal tip: Print all the "Wrap up" sections of the book, hang them on your wall and go through them every once in a while.
Before reading this book, I often wondered, "Is Luca some kind of language prodigy or am I just missing something?" That was me before diving into this enlightening read. I felt a bit lost in my language learning journey, but Luca's book was the compass I didn't know I needed. It's not about innate genius; it's about the strategies and mindset you bring to the table.
Each of Luca's 10 rules is a gem, shedding light on the path to language mastery. What made the experience even richer were the interviews after each chapter. They provided real-world context, making the advice more relatable and actionable. Knowing the rules is one thing, but understanding their application through real stories is priceless.
Luca is someone who undoubtedly has never allowed setbacks to bring him down. Instead, he's used them to innovate and refine his method. With over thirty years of experience and having mastered more than a dozen languages to an exceptional level, he presents us with a book aimed at empowering us to become self-reliant.
In this way, he first helps us clarify our relationship with learning—our beliefs, limitations, our current level, and our goals. Then, he guides us in creating an action plan and implementing a wide range of strategies that adapt to our individual profile and specific aims. As with anything in life, Luca reminds us that nothing stays the same. We should regularly reflect on our journey, adjust our approach based on our progress, and most importantly, do so in harmony with the enjoyment we derive. Indeed, a key aspect of this book is the idea of making this learning journey as enjoyable as possible.
The ideas and principles are presented and succinctly summarized at the end of each chapter, significantly aiding their comprehension and practical application. The tone is not only engaging and motivating, but also humble, empathetic, and honest. (After all, while we're all capable of becoming polyglots, it doesn't come without effort and dedication on our part!)
As you might have guessed, I'm a fan of this book, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who has navigated the traditional education system. Whether you've struggled to make progress in learning a new language or have been unable to break through a certain proficiency threshold—despite multiple attempts or years of study—this book is for you.
A concise/condensed handbook for everything you need to know to learn any language from one of the most accomplished polyglots of our time. Everything he writes is backed by science and consistent with the works of Dr. Krashen and other prolific researchers, and fined-tuned from decades of Luca's personal experience. I tried and failed for many years to learn a second language. Finding Luca's resources has been a big turning point for me (he also has excellent online courses). You'll find many personalities online that claim to be polyglots with all the answers, but most are full of you-know-what (this is a rampant problem on YT). If you take the time to really research who the good ones are, you'll find that Luca may very well be the best of them all, and they all have a lot in common. As Luca often says, you'll see a lot of differences in techniques within this group, but they all follow the same general principles. This book covers those principles.
This book is FANTASTIC! For any language learner whether you are just getting started or whether you have successfully learned a second language before, this book is an excellent resource I know I will be turning to again and again. I specifically love Luca's teaching style. He emphasizes that this is not a one size fits all strategy. He encourages the reader to find what works for them but provides priceless guidance as well as his own personal journey. I found this book to be both informative and entertaining and highly recommend it!
I set out to read a few pages of this book and I devoured it in one sitting. It was so easy to read and so practical. I love the humor and personal stories Luca shares throughout the book. This is a book EVERY language learner should have. It’s not a book that you read just once, but one that you continuously go back to as a source of direction, motivation, and inspiration. I’ve been learning languages over the course of 10 years and this book helped bring me fresh perspective and new ideas to implement into my daily language learning times. Thanks so much Luca!
I've just finished this book, and I must say that this stuff is absolutely BRILLIANT. If only I had encountered teachers with the same passion and ability to give me such a boost of energy and self-confidence along the tricky path of language learning! In my opinion, reading this book will transform the adjective "tricky" into "THRILLING," along with many other positive words related to the magic of acquiring new skills under the guidance of a true expert. Luca Lampariello exhibits great generosity in sharing his precious "language learning toolbox" with the reader, offering highly effective advice drawn from his personal 30+ year language learning journey. What's more, he does so with a wonderful sense of humor and a writing style that fosters a personal connection with the reader. I enthusiastically award it 5 STARS!
This book suggests that the acquiring of language depends very much on motivation and how to use that motivation to learn effectively. Luca’s insights into the acquisition of language has boosted my engagement with the learning process and led to better commitment which has led to a steady improvement .Luca takes us through his own learning curve, and his failures, which have led to his dedication to learning 13 languages to date and ever onward. He has analysed his own journey for us.
I never expected a book about how to learn languages to be a page turner that would make me laugh out loud. In addition to being educational and entertaining, it made me think deeply about myself and my self-imposed barriers. Reading this book has given me renewed excitement and optimism about my ability to continue to improve my Greek and perhaps more importantly, a reminder to have fun and enjoy the journey.
Luca has written a really, really good language learning book. His methods aren't only "Smart" but are actually effective. Most people will surely be able to learn multiple languages if they follow the rules and principles in his book. They are easy and simple to follow and covers the important basics of language learning. The only thing I don't like about this book is his resources for beginners which may not be accessible to people from third world countries.
I read this book with the intention of going back to further review the key points. I found the book well written and the suggestions and criticisms regarding language learning quite insightful. I will now go back and apply what I've read to a language already in process and am thinking of another language to start from scratch with these recommendations. Thanks Luca.
Short, succinct, personal, and distilled information on how to learn a language.
Follow what Luca has stated, and there is no way you'll fail at learning a new language.
Anyone looking for a roadmap to get from "hola" to "Ahora entiendo todo lo que oigo en la radio, en persona, y los programas de televisión y las películas." should read this book and follow any advice Luca gives you.
Any language can be learned using Luca's book - to be clear, there is no better information to organize a new or continuing language venture than what's here in this book. Luca outlines an easy to follow plan. You will have everything you need after reading this engaging work!