The science of thinking in English | Canguro English

Have you ever wondered how to think in English and stop translating in your head?
In this class, I answer two very simple questions: is it possible to 'think' in English, and is it a bad thing to translate in your head?
Instead of using personal opinions and anecdotes, I use science to show you the truth about 'thinking' in English and how to stop translating in your head.
See you in class!
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By popular demand, here are some of the scientific papers I reference:
- Kees de Bot, The Multilingual Lexicon: Modelling Selection and Control:
drive.google.com/open?id=1L7B...
- Rick Kern, The Role of Mental Translation in Second Language Reading: drive.google.com/open?id=1G-F...
- Arturo Hernandez, The Emergence of Competing Modules in Bilingualism: drive.google.com/open?id=18lS...

[@Canguroenglish]

Become a patron and sponsor free English education here: bit.ly/2BYlZi1 Buy official Canguro English merchandise here: rdbl.co/2E3J6gY

[@janepicasso523]

Canguro English Hello from Ukraine 🇺🇦Christian, I thank you so much for the great video. Listening to you is pleasure. I wish you good luck in this ;) I would really appreciate if you find time to recommend me some Spanish-studying channels. I’m just a beginner, so I think it’s a good chance for me to do it right, with a proper material!

[@fineeq1]

Christian you prove to us there is no lumitation for human thinking, thanks a lot

[@sadiqullah4651]

Pp

[@sadiqullah4651]

Pp

[@colunizator]

"The special technique is patience." Best words from the entire video. Thanks a lot, now i know, i am on the right path

[@Canguroenglish]

Yes! Keep going!

[@andreypetrov5819]

Yes bro, it takes the years. But the result is unbelievable

[@RodrigoPerez-zc8sh]

My father's teacher told him: "think in english" to learn english, but the teacher did not tell him: "thinking in english takes time, practice and patience" thank you very much for that important lesson.

[@Canguroenglish]

My pleasure!

[@ampmat]

I’ve been studying English for about six years now. In the beginning it was impossible not to make any translation in my head, but as time went on I turned Portuguese off and started thinking in English. It takes a lot of time and energy. If you want to start thinking in your target language, you have to be focused and work hard every day!

[@gauravbhogare6762]

You are the best teacher that I found ever . You guide very well.

[@Rykaas]

The world needs more heroes like you

[@marcosbueno5443]

200 people couldn't learning with the video. Amazing, thank you!

[@rodrigocambronero6816]

This is the best class which talks about of the real way of how we can think in English , thank you Canguro

[@TheBlueWizard77]

Excellent. I'm an english teacher at Dominico Americano in my country, Dominican Republic, and I totally support and encourage the understanding of this amazing and rather interesting theories in my classes. Thank you Christian. I bless the LIGHT in you. Namaste.

[@sapturnus]

I've been studying English for a long time and now I can think in English properly. There is a weird thing I noticed in the recent years: I can't turn off one language or another. Some situations appears to be better to ponder about in Portuguese and others in English.

[@GarlicGrinder9]

I take it Portuguese is you native language? I'm curious, do you ever find yourself thinking speaking or writing in Portuguese in stressful situations? For example I haven't really started thinking in French (My second language from English), but in a tressful situation I can only think speak and read in English.

[@louisivofbajoflores709]

Yeah that just happens, I'm Argentinian and currently live in Buenos Aires but I was raised in the USA. I grew up having 2 native languages, I spoke English at school and with my friends but Spanish at home. Sometimes I think in English, sometimes I think in Spanish, it just comes naturally.

[@MsFabiojacob]

Hi guy, I think the same way like you! Everytime my brain turn off and I feel my self like a american person, but there is other moments that is so dificult to understand the context inside the conversation. Thanks..

[@karlachavarria7455]

It's truth!

[@milanalysenkova7821]

The special technique is patience. That's masterpiece, seriously. I'm enjoying your intellectual videos all the time

[@ChenLily]

THE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE THIS. One of my subscribers posted this video to me and I subscribed immediately!! Im a master student in applied linguistics and my channel has been talking about languaging mixing and translanguaging (I did not use the technical term but it was the concept) Most of the content is in Chinese (mixed with English, you know, tranlanguaging). Your video really addresses the common problem that learners (including myself) face. Also, thank you for pointing out that mental translation decreases over time. Is it possible for me to know the title of the articles you mentioned so I can search it up? Agian, thank you so much for the great content, great editing, and the ping pong balls. :P THE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE THIS.

[@nguyenquocdanh0123]

in the journey of learning English i ususally translate the words into my mother language, but after 1 year i try to use monolingual dictionary (English to English dictionary), at that time i think i can understand some words without translating into my mother language, but there still some words that even i look for the meaning by using monolingual dictionary that i can not understand, at that time i have to translate its meaning into my mother language, and as i translate its meaning so one day it's no need to translate that word into my language. my writing is very slow, because it takes time to think about the words that i need to use but but but without translating. and it is slower when i speak. i think the answer for fluent in english is: immerge yourself into the language that you're learning, and be patient.

[@fatimaez-zahramessaoudi2146]

it's happened to me too, i translate to my mother language ,but when i want to use it again i mean the words translate i found my brain forget it, every languages needs practice..

[@ronaldcaliva5004]

How's ur english now? Do u speak english now without having to translate it in ur head?? Just wanna know

[@user-ws6cm6sr5w]

Thank from Ecuador South America nothing has been SINCERO like YOU thank for give me real motivation and strategy

[@marciacaetano3861]

Professor your method of teaching English is very intelligent and has deep knowledge, because you make me thinking the reason our brain get the understandings with the words in a context. I’ve never seen a class like that. Congratulation to you.

[@carlosnattera2644]

I remember when you told us watching tv in English language or films is method more easily to leard English so one day turn on tv well it was Mr Bean ....... you know the rest he doesn't talk

[@flaviotigrao4550]

It's great, very good, I'm smiling a lot!

[@rickimam]

😄

[@shibnathroy106]

Lol

[@Kevinproducciones2]

Flavio Tigrão I'm laughing a lot ** you can say LMAO

[@laurahernando5389]

Funny! But, you know what? There are plenty of worksheets online to practise English using the Mr Bean series. So you can still learn and produce without Mr Bean saying a word! 🙂

[@danilogarcia4840]

Fantastic class, every day I learned more and more. Thanks for all tips shared.

[@GokulSoman95]

Dr. House is teaching me about learning languages!

[@evaristoml]

The best explanation of thinking in English. In all the world! Thx

[@maha5]

Thanks for all the hard you put in the explanation. Thanks.

[@user-ts3jy1dj4i]

Your channel is my favourite! Thank you very much!

[@eduardoaraujo7551]

My man, you are making ones of the most fanny and accurate explanations about English issues we all the Spanish speaker people are going able to get in KZbin, I've spent around 3 hours today watching at you and your wonderful videos, and I haven't felt bored at any time. I don't really know how I found you but it has been one of the most thrilling things that have could happen to me by far. Thank you, good stuffffffff.

[@chenwang6692]

thank you so much! you are so professional and precise!

[@lilianagallo8771]

Patient and enough practice is the clue!!! Thank you!!

[@HikariNyappy]

BRILLIANT! I love how you explained everything so simply! I've been working as an English teacher, and I know the theory of language learning, but trying to communicate it to my students so that they get a better learning experiences is one of the things I need to work on, and it was so magical the way you explain it 💕 Thank you for sharing!!

[@wammwamm7912]

Can we call this the philosophy of teaching a language. Your style, if it’s right to say ( style ), is unique.Thank you, Chris.

[@zahoors]

You are brilliant. I love the way you speak your mind. Thanks.

[@danprieto_]

When I was leaning English (because my native language is Spanish) I never really used mental translation. However, now that I'm learning Portuguese mental translation helps me to make the process easier. The main reason is that Portuguese and Spanish are very similar and making the connection of them both is super helpful. I believe my Portuguese is improving a lot more.

[@ighorkingeski8944]

I'm the opposite. I'm native portuguese speaker and I use mental translation for english but I don't use that for spanish.

[@user-gp8dq3ur3c]

You are fantastic man and teacher. Thank you!

[@Gustavo-lz5mi]

You aren't only teaching English but the cognitive processes behind the way we actually learn a second language. Thanks for that!!

[@julianabrandao8850]

You are the man!!! I love you classes.

[@petersongeiger]

Excellent video! Thank you very much!

[@abm77]

Excellent as usual. Tnx, a bunch, Christian!

[@DanielAlves-ko9xs]

I love this class! Thanks so much!

[@jeronimocarrizo5855]

Thanks Christian for all of you videos! all of them are very userful! thanks thanks!!! and many more thanks!!! for your work..

[@KILMA28]

I love your approach! Thanks for sharing!

[@hugocorrea9456]

You're a great man teacher!! Blessings from Argentina!!

[@allinesilva4261]

I am loving your classes.

[@carlosmarioocampoyoung3163]

Great explanation!! Thank a lot !

[@roseouvidor4722]

You are fantastic!!! The best!

[@Kakunoshin_Niitsu]

Thank you Christian, your time and efforts are much appreciated

[@utpalpaul7424]

I am from India but it is easy to understand your English accent. Love from India 🙏

[@havanamalecon-music5303]

Thank you Cristhian, you are a big professor.

[@manoelsilva1420]

Teacher your tecnic is the best I have heard thank you a lot!

[@marinacarassatohopson3474]

You are simply the best!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!

[@rosacasiero4250]

Wow Christian, what a great lesson!!!! I'm going to watch this video over and over again, what you said it's so important and highly interesting. Everybody keep saying to start thinking in English and stop translating, but I knew that it couldn't be that bad, of course not translating every words but at least have a sort of organization knowing that each language has a different structure in sentences and different grammar, but this process it's very important it's like a support for us, without it everything would fall down. It's like a child when he learnes to walk, first he needs a support and only after that he starts walking properly. Therefore, at the end of the day the concept is always the same; Time, be constant in your study, and lots of passion. Thank you so much teacher, for confirming what I already assumed! 😊

[@Kimberlycolas6]

The best teacher for ever 💖

[@paulaandreacoronadoportela9049]

Love your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and the scientific articles.

[@raphaelrochachecone7371]

The best teacher on internet for sure!

[@carlosdantas4622]

Great, great class definitely!

[@eliz--]

Thanks for showing us how to learn english form a scientific perspective!!

[@akim6015]

From now on, I'll start writing comments on this kind of youtube clip in English. Thank you for your motivative teaching.

[@kuahmad9282]

Thanks on your guidance.

[@paolacagnetti8117]

Grazie Christian! Con te non ho più paura di parlare in inglese... evvaiii!!! Tu sei semplice e rendi tutto facile! Non so come esserti grata! Grazie davvero!

[@vanessalima4989]

I love it! Thanks

[@elennn2]

Thank you! Very interesting!

[@hichamsaid9472]

Thank you, I am from Algeria I am a professor in physics. English is my third language but now I realized that english is very very important for me for my children so we spend a lot of time and mony to become fleunt and I think you are the best one in youtube gives us the effective helpness.

[@SimpleEnglishVideos]

I love this video. Bravo!

[@robyprv]

Thanks Cristian... I love your way to teach English.....

[@federicocasascaro8108]

Awesome!!! Love this channel 💖

[@rudyscopel8910]

Thank you Christian, your videos are very helpful!!

[@celiareginaoliveiramarques5995]

Thanks for this video !!

[@sukoraharjopolines3014]

Incredibly brilliant analogy

[@simsimamans3463]

Excellent video!! thanks 😊

[@jeffseben5890]

You're amazing, Christian! We have much more than English learning, here! And that's awesome! Because you just made everyone think in English during the video. But, further, you clarified the process! That's the point! You explore the subject like a scientist and bring it to us as a teacher, an excellent teacher!.... I think you are not only a teacher, but a good language scientist. Thanks a million for sharing it with us!!!

[@deepdarkmidnight]

I speak 3 languages fluently (the 3rd one still in progress) and I never used that mental translation that a lot of people talk about. When I use one of the 2 languages that are not my mother tongue, I don't feel like I'm supressing the later anyhow, I feel like I have to make the effort to use my vocabulary in the target language as good as possible. If I don't know how to express an idea, I just stop talking and think about it. In German it was and still is sometimes, very hard to keep the ideas connected while talking, in English is now natural. I no longer have to look up for the words in my head. But with translation or not, the key is definitely patience and dedication.

[@maxxu8]

Well, we do mental translation when we don't know how to use the target language to express an idea directly. In such a situation, we are facing two choices: either do the translation or have a complete failure to express the idea in the target language. Most people would choose the former one.

[@deepdarkmidnight]

Max Xu That's true, and I have to use translation from time to time, even to remember how to say a word in my mother tongue (it has happened before). But I've read some people cannot think in the language they speak and they have to constantly translate.

[@HoryTB]

Interestingly it's and it has been always the same to me - at least in case of English: never translated in mind, just were saying things. Also interesting that I did have to put grammar things i.e. tenses in order in my mind but the whole procedure is like when you were children: pick up words, formulas etc. then practice them. The key is, I believe, talking in the other/new language - and not studying it. Talk, talk, talk!

[@maxxu8]

HoryTB I don't know. Is there a theory that adults generally cannot pick up a foreign language as kids do? I have met a lot of Chinese immigrants because I myself am a Chinese immigrant. Those who didn't know English when they first came to North America as an adult don't seem to be able to pick up English naturally. Many of them who have lived in an English environment for 30-40 years can only speak broken English with a very limited vocabulary. Acquiring a foreign language without studying sounds wonderful but I need more successful cases to convince me. I have to admit that my experience is limited in Chinese speakers acquiring English and English speakers acquiring Chinese. Maybe, picking up a language that is very similar to one that you already know can be done in a more natural way?

[@HoryTB]

I studied German at high school for 5 years and don't really remember (balls sank under), studied Russian even longer at same and younger age - didn't like it (sorry) didn't learn and don't remember. In the meantime read and translated songs in English - liked it - then studied English at 21 yo., now have been practicing it for 11 years living in London, still, have accent and will always have unlike a child who goes to school and picks it up there. It is ultimately question of interest then young age "purely". You lose your interest about many things with the years go by, still, can learn new things if you are interested in. So I would scale it down to 2 main components: age and interest: 1, children like sponge sucking knowledge in, and open, 2, you can learn things easier, or at all, - even children - when it interests you.

[@vivicristina5304]

You being amazing as always...perfect...I completely agree with everything you have said ..

[@tipsterackerman8832]

Love your content and teaching style.mate!

[@Enriquemba1]

Thanks a lot teacher, you are the best in the field.

[@sanjukarmakar4228]

Love you, dear brother Christian. You are my best teacher. from IND

[@ouwkyuha]

I love how you speak very calmly and not in a rush, so non-fluent listener like me could understand better :)

[@irmgardweiss8981]

Hello Christian. I love your class very much!

[@khalidtoumi2045]

you are my best teacher in youtube... i Want to tell you thank you so much for your help

[@user-uu3ti6vx8l]

Christian are the best English teacher in the world! Eres un fenómenos amigo. A greeting.

[@andaiosif4047]

Actually , 'the ping pong balls teqnique' works really well to illustrate such a complex concept. Brilliant video, teacher!Thank you!

[@jmsa95]

This video is brilliant, very well explained!! Thank you Christian!!

[@user-gw6bn5td8p]

the best teacher ever

[@liciachiappori9990]

great teacher, davvero bravissimo. Grazie

[@ngunghuong6938]

Ow, well said. Thanks a lot!

[@yashpaul66]

Wow..you are a remarkable teacher!

[@VasylHerman]

Enjoy your videos. Thanks!!! Keep doing your Best. Take care.

[@carlarusso8626]

Amazing video Christian! Psychology+languages are fascinating topics. Thank you! Es el primer video tuyo que veo, ya me suscribí 😊

[@katherinemartlet508]

Thank you for your videos, it's so inspirational!

[@vanessalima901]

Thank you so much .It was an amazing class.. "Patience"

[@carloscarvajal3324]

You are the best teacher here on KZbin! I was looking for a lot, and I had only found boring classes, but your classes are dynamic and very interesting. And besides, your accent is British, and I love that accent. Grateful!!

[@davidbluecame]

Awesome! My wife strongly recommended me to watch your videos and I can see she was absolutely right. Amazing and instantly suscribed! Thanks!!

[@sololips2010]

Amazing podcast! Really triggered me. Thanks a bunch!!!

[@sp277]

Very interesting. Thank you!

[@clonezera1993]

Thanks Christian that was another brilliant class! Thanks a lot for your videos.

[@Mercedes130559]

I absolutely love your style!!!

[@Canguroenglish]

Thanks!

[@vinnycosta7647]

I'm brazilian and I already speak english, but it's really nice to watch your videos just because they have so much usefull and interesting information. One more subscriber for you :)

[@turarbekqazaq2145]

Thank u my teacher and see u in class! You are genius!

[@Canguroenglish]

See you in class!

[@lyaparuolo349]

You are the best!!

[@kimberIyyu]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS! i am learning Spanish and many of these videos work for any language! I have been looking for videos with explanations like these for a while! thank you so much.

[@larrypitman2760]

Very useful. Thanks.

[@lucianolabanca9185]

You're great! Interesting and original lesson.

[@iaterloratu7323]

An amazing teacher and nothing else! Having watched your videos now I find myself more motivated and totally concentrated on english ! Thank you so much ! )

[@victorianodperez9349]

I've been working hard and apparently without good results this year 2019 but as soon as I came across with this presentation I have changed my mind, now I realize that after hard work and dedication I can become fluent in English, I would be able to speak without a mental translation up there in my head. Yes it takes time but who cares as long as you know that you are in the right way. It is only a matter of time, as you are saying: BE PATIENT! Gracias y Happy New Year.

[@beargrylls7399]

Very technical and helpful video professor so .. thanks a lot.

[@maquiavelicomc6886]

Thanks teacher!