Secret to hack a country and learn language for free | Claudio Santori & Muezz Vestin | TEDxVilnius

Can learning a foreign language hack a country? Apparently it does.
Both Claudio (Italian) and Muezz (Swedish) are living in Lithuania. They, like everyone else, struggled to learn local language: people kept talking to them in English, they spoke in English back and it went over like a vicious circle over and over again. Until one day when they did something else that turned them from foreigners into local Lithuanians -- they hacked a country.
In their 10min talk they explain exactly how they did it and what you can do if you want to do the same.
Claudio: Growing up in a time where there was no Internet, Claudio had a lot of time to explore naturally given things, but as soon as he got his first Internet connection at the age of 18 everything changed.
Internet opened doors to a complete new world: from Serra San Quirico, a small town in Central Italy, to Rome where he got a bachelor in Economics. Not long after he became a manager of the famous Italian singer Lorenzo Jovanotti Cherubini and also became a curator of no.1 Italian blogger Selvaggia Lucarelli.
Muezz: Problem solver. Life learner. Life explorer. That is just a few descriptions about Muezz. Putting himself outside his own comfort zone is his greatest strength. But he was not born with this mindset. Muezz grew up in one of the most culturally diversified suburbs in Sweden. Over there he learned about different cultures and being a part of boy scouts at 8 years taught him to be “always ready”.
More info about them: bit.ly/1QreTFQ, bit.ly/1zUum6V
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@Nathouuuutheone]

I was living with a bunch of english speakers at some point. I spoke french fluently, and I was pretty good at english. And they wanted to learn french. So they had a "Les vendredis français" (the french fridays), where everyone in the appartment, be it room mates, neighbors or guests, everyone was supposed to speak french, even if they didn't know a single word. The problem was, I kinda wanted to practice my english, and I felt insecure with the idea of teaching on the go my native language, so even on fridays, I kept speaking english and I was a total nuisance to their goal of learning french. I only realized how stupid it was on my part after quite a while, and I do hope I never make the mistake again.

[@nacotete]

This is so true ! I learned Spanish by talking daily to a German...and with the same results.... our fluency soared !! Mine went from almost nothing to getting compliments from native speakers in only one month !

[@chloejames2633]

Did you have any background knowledge of the language beforehand? Like could you speak any words? Sorry if I'm intruding, I would very much love to learn Norweigan (and I have a Norweigan friend who I can speak to) but I know absolutely no words at all, so I don't know where to start...

[@veronicaagbanyim2906]

To learn a language going to the country is the best way to learn it because we get to meet with people everyday and before you know it you don't even realize you can better understand people and speak the language

[@joanwang614]

My bf kept speaking English to me for 4-5 years while I needed so much to learn French.

[@ReemReem-ts8kh]

Did you get married with this boyfriend or not yet?

[@dalerabdulloev4979]

Wow , I saw the first video of those guys before, I couldn't even image that it will go so far , good job. Amazing idea ;)

[@eatdrinkplaytolearnchinese6957]

Very inspirational Thank you !

[@EdSchroedinger]

what an encouraging and inspirational talk, guys... especially if being aware of all the negative implications and downsides the current level of social media and digital-life integration introduced, THIS EXAMPLE points out it can be as well some major benefit for personal life as well as cross culture exchange and understanding. kudos!

[@dekthaiklaibaan]

Sooooo inspirational!! Thank you soo much!!!

[@umutozdemir7548]

Learning English is really hard for me because there is no one who wants to learn Turkish. So I couldn't exchange. But if I try to learn some Kurdish things, which is my real native language, everyone who speaks Kurdish as a native language wants to teach and do everything for that lol.

[@BraaStudio]

+Umut Özdemir find friend want learn english also, and talking with him .

[@stefankoodko9571]

+Umut Özdemir It's the same for almost every non native english speaker. Things get even harder if you try to find penpals for other language than english. I'm from Poland and now i'm learning Japanese and Spanish.

[@zuberqadri8615]

I tried your method for 3 or 4 times and i feel it works really for gain confident it works because learning and speaking is all about a confident

[@ricardofagundescarvalho8358]

This is really effective. And fun. I improved my English with a German friend in the US and my German with an Afeghani friend in Germany... I hope to continue entailing languages like that!

[@seanagarrow7488]

🌿🌸очень хорошо...Ha! I don't know if I spelled that correctly...but this video made me realize I shouldn't really care (unless I wanted to become a writer..lol). Thanks for sharing this material... I'm ready to get out there and begin speaking...regardless of mistakes!🌸🌿

[@ClaudioSantori]

Seana Garrow that's the spirit :)

[@aturninthegameof...4584]

здрадствуйте, ты можешь говорить по-русски? кажеця ты можешы говорить по-русски очень.

[@alstobie6538]

You can spell better than most English speaking people

[@ClaudioSantori]

Good luck with your adventure :)

[@koli-xy2bz]

I wont to speak in English with you and İ know Rassin language if wont i can please can you help me

[@DragonDeFord]

Vreau să învăț românește... I try to practice with my boyfriend and his family as often as possible, and I find exposure and practicing with native speakers definitely is the best way to go !

[@sheshab]

I think it's partly because Lithuanians aren't used to foreigners learning their language. Now try to do a similar video and say you're learning German, Swedish or French and see who gives a damn about you learning their languages!

[@rds7516]

We hail foreigners who DARE to take the challange of learning lithuanian. We have shrines for them, where we house them and feed them cepelinai for the rest of their life.

[@jeffreyd508]

Its a useless language unless you want to live there. Only 3 million people speak it. Why not learn Russian? Can use it in 18 countries.

[@proverbalizer]

It should definitely work for me when I get serious about learning Yoruba, and will help overcome the problem that English is the official language of Nigeria so even when I get the chance to live there I may only come back with a new accent and fluency Pidgin English and not Yoruba unless I take the initiative to force myself out of my linguistic comfort zone

[@collection7elow936]

thats true i agree wholeheartedly with you when i began studying english i face many problems with native speakers they are unfriendly and shut me out

[@arthurstevens8626]

@@jeffreyd508 The one thing you should not do is discourage someone from learning that language. This comment you made 2 years ago fits in that category of discouraging. It doesn't matter how many people speak it or if it's 'useless' in your perspective, it only matters if you're passionate about the language. So as long as someone's passionate about learning Lithuanian, that's all that matters, not your comment. Thank you (or anyone else) for reading this.

[@GamblingSloth]

Hello tedtalk, I am trying to learn new language. But i am stuck at part 8:54 .

[@kalisundari]

They are so courageous and inspiring!!

[@marciocbg1]

+Kali Sundari BELLYDANCE I AGREE WITH YOU. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE SHOULD BE AFRAID OF TRYING TO IMPROVE IN ANY SUBJECT IN OUR SHORT LIVES. [e-mail]

[@englishwithvivian3541]

great, tomorrow i'm going to make a video and put it up on online, thanks guys

[@tamtruong2924]

Both of you are so cool. Hoping that your method will be effective with me. 😘😘

[@DawnMorganCyprus]

Dancing Dawn from Cyprus here. Great story guys. I'm learning Cypriot, but its all Greek to me! Ha ha ha (hope you understand that joke in your countries as jokes don't carry well in other languages).

[@ShakaZoulou77]

I speak all languages of the world except greek. "So speak a little Cypriot. - I can't, that is Greek to me."

[@citizenearth3522]

These two duds are entertaining, and practical too. Unfortunately, the sound disappears at about the 8 minute mark.

[@NadjaKREUZ]

VERY good job

[@theintp1732]

Sveikinimai iš Kalifornijos....labai puikiai ir nuostabiai lietuviškai! xx

[@EfficientC1]

Labai geras pasisakymas, vaikinai! Great speech, guys!

[@EfficientC1]

:-)

[@EfficientC1]

Lucas Santos Kaip sekase / como vai?

[@EfficientC1]

Lucas Santos How are you (in Latin)? Bona sum

[@justindeferbrache6978]

I wonder, where on the internet did you post the video so that people responded to you? Was it on youtube or on other websites?

[@ronaldonmg]

I think they said facebook

[@ikennao5299]

I love this, from nigeria !

[@AMIRAMIR-vs9nf]

شكرا سلام

[@EreinaA]

These guys are hilarious!

[@NathanSkates]

Wow I think I might try this lol

[@gabe8500]

Its-a me,Mario!

[@kategothberg4976]

Ma langue maternelle est anglais, mais je parle français car ce. Merci. I tried with the grammar, feel free to correct me.

What do you mean by "car ce"?

[@carlin226]

ich werde mein video auf deutsch machen. Ich danke ihnen für die motivation!!! Am ersten, muss ich aber ein freund der deutsch spricht finden. ( entschuldige die grossbuchstaben die ich nicht benutzt habe)

[@winnieasumpta4157]

Im learning Spanish but I have no one to practice with because people around me speak either English or Arabic. I'd really love to find someone to practice Spanish with

[@DarrellTurner2016]

assie 256 Try Livemocha.com. It's a free community of people who want to learn the other's language.

[@memully]

assie 256 : try www.language-exchanges.org/

[@TheGuardian163]

assie 256 iTalki.com

[@capitandelperlanegra1359]

+assie 256 Espero que hayas encontrado a alguien con quién practicar!!! Mucha suerte amigo!!!

[@winnieasumpta4157]

Lucas Coffa +Lucas Coffa No I haven't. But thank you.

[@yasminebeb]

nice ...I wanna learn Italian in the same way.

[@Tlatoanimeh]

yasmine bebars Hello, I have been trying to learn Italian off and on for years. I think I can carry on a simple conversation but, how would I be certain since I don't know any native speakers and traveling to Italy, or living there is not feasible at this time? it's a problem for which I can find no solution.

[@Mastervenvy]

i wanna learn japanese since i wanna go there on vacation. but i dont have any friends that are japanese. so this wont really help me sadly.

[@HailSocialite]

Check out HelloTalk, HiNative, and Lang-8!

[@CodyCannon11]

+Jeffrey Smolders the other comment on here makes a great point. Don't tell yourself there is no way to really learn the language because you have no friends in your area that speak Japanese. HelloTalk is great, and so are the other sources. Another famous one is italki.com. That is a great way to find a tutor (Cheap), along with some language exchange partners. The only one holding you back now, is yourself. You can do it, and have fun with it along the way.

[@FruitMonger360]

I like the Swedish dude's hair.

[@smendes2004]

In Timor-Leste learning Tetum. Iha Timor aprende tetum agora.

[@seb0zero]

I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO DOX A COUNTRY!!!!

[@BondhuCinemedia]

I need a korean friend to practicae Korean with him/her. I'm in intermediate level of Korean now... 한국 친구 사구이고 싶어요.

[@joyyyy777]

안녕하세요~~ hello

[@BondhuCinemedia]

@@joyyyy777 안녕 친구

[@GauravKumar-sp2rl]

It's very hard to get such friend in now a day's, m from India and In really want to learn English for my brighter future.

[@gustavomonteiro515]

Hey. I'm also learning english.

[@GauravKumar-sp2rl]

ooh that's great, where r u from?

[@gustavomonteiro515]

Design. Cube I'm Brazilian. I agree with you, it's very hard to find a friend. Do you prrefer to pratice english with me on whatsapp, facebook or skype?

[@GauravKumar-sp2rl]

sure,m always ready for opportunity like.

[@gustavomonteiro515]

Tell me your facebook or skype to add you

[@teachertrenaesl5275]

Thanks but then you have to learn how to read that language to be able to read the comments right

[@AvoidantTS]

The way this Italian guy speaks kinda reminds me of Nico Bellic.

[@smendes2004]

You HAVE to make mistakes when learning a language! It's completely utopic not to make mistakes!

[@khuepham4246]

My native language is Vietnamese and I'm learning english, I'm looking for someone I can talk to, I can teach you some vietnamese (or rather mantain a fluid conversations, I'm also willing to be your friend :D) in exchange

[@igorsmirnov1645]

Trolling is not just an useless skill. It is also a good oportunity for langeage practice. Just find something about politics...

[@Zakaria-xg1vu]

The russians know the deal ! I've been here for 15 days as a student, and they just speak russian with me , they don't care if i dont understand ! And you kind of become forced to learn !

[@arthurstevens8626]

Mhm, I've been learning Russian for months and I was always too afraid and nervous to go out and speak my mind. But, I did just that recently because I was tired of the obstacle blocking me and said to myself "This ends now." Well, this is what happened when I did that and so I now speak to a native speaker (my Russian friend, Karina) from Tandem and I learned more than I achieved in those months. Though this is my second day using my own method and not someone else's, as well as it is my second day speaking in another language, it was worth it. The mistakes, the difficult times, and definitely the moment of feeling "Oh no! I'm saying this word or sentence wrong!"

[@gradingterminal807]

catch ya alL

[@galaazh4215]

Can anybody help me to practice in English))pls talk to me in English

[@jg308]

+Gala Gala hello how r u

[@natrium96]

+Jevita Grant-Stuart At least you should write correctly hahaha

[@valentinavillegas9258]

+Gala Gala im also trying to learn english... where are you from?

[@SyaukatTeh]

I have had it with these motherfucking snakes on this motherfucking plane!

[@galaazh4215]

+valentina villegas kazakhstan

[@LenkaJursova]

..I am just about to start my dream job as a private bank finance and insurance brooker in Slovakia. what I did? - I´ve transformate your rulles given into my field. Want to know the result?

[@vgvbhkhkh]

Lenka Jursova

[@zoobasalem1083]

so nice ..I wanna learn german

[@nalinh0]

same

[@zoobasalem1083]

+penile 1 yes .but I like it

[@nalinh0]

penile 1 Not for me my boyfriend is German

[@nalinh0]

penile 1 But we will eventually move in together and it will probably be in Germany

[@BiMiHi]

penile u are quite stupid person, "It is absolutely useless ANYWHERE in the world" no shit, what language besides english are you gonna use? Spanish in France maybe?? Germany has great deal of information in history, medicine, economics and banking, about engineering and manufacturing I wont even talk about. Just because you can´t comprehend ANY of there doesn´t mean no one can´t. FFS, weren´t you taught that when you dont have anything smart or beneficial to say better don´t say it?

hey das hört sich gut an.

[@adamkovacs7863]

ɷɷ Heeeey Friendss I Have Foundddddd Workinggg Online Hacck visitt : - t.co/1roIaMzDR7

[@NoPainNoGain200]

as tave Myliu - as Claudio it went viral

[@meowtrox1234]

It is a pleasure to learn language just remove the fact that you are going to take a future exam for language proficiency which i really find stressful specifically with TELC

[@NoPainNoGain200]

200,000 /3 million population that is viral

[@theonewhonevergaveup785]

make video and share so ppl talk to you and you learn that language -_-

[@Peabody6517]

lol! awesome

[@enriquebaez2861]

HOLA ALGUIEN QUE DESEE APRENDER ESPAÑOL Y ME AYUDE CON EL INGLES (ENRIQUEBAEZSKYPE)

[@enriquebaez2861]

GRACIAS ARIZPE33

[@arizpe33]

+ENRIQUE BAEZ De nada. Suerte.

[@chiragchintu886]

I am from vffg

[@tungntb]

Summary: “The best way to learn a foreign language is to go to a foreign country” same old shit I guess :D

[@BobTheTrueCactus]

+Tùng You forgot the "and actually speak the language" part. But this is not enough.

[@imya666]

I recommend you this site for searching penpal and friends for improving your languages: MyLanguageExchange.com I found more than 30 people all over the world who helped me for learning english in skype.

[@booksaremysociallife]

I speak english... that's pretty much it.

[@VictorHernandez-nt3tw]

So make a video and I can learn a language? That easy? What if I'm trying to learn Croatian in USA?

[@arthurstevens8626]

Unfortunately, this video was stretching the truth a little. You cannot just make a video in your target language and expect to learn within moments or hours. You have to put some effort..find a native speaker to chat with and to speak with.. as well as try your own method.

[@andyshinskate]

´Make Mistakes´ dont be shi

[@asierpavlichenko7579]

I see what you did there

[@anthonycaldwell2546]

Trying to learn Brazilian Portuguese, who wants to help??? I can help with English 😬

[@NoExitLoveNow]

That guy on the left has an odd hair style. Maybe it is cool in Sweden.

[@doritowest3457]

If these guys weren't so handsome, that TED-performance would be the worst ever in TED history

[@Itsnotthatfunny]

Ich bin Deutsch und Japanisch lernen. Ist irgendeiner interssant in hilfen mir? Mein name ist karim vasani auf facebook.

[@wadek798]

Inspriational

[@samljer]

The hell did I just watch? This is the first TEDx that felt like a total waste of time.

[@redstoneowiec9419]

that means that its your first Ted talk

[@OneWithManyThings]

I'm slowly learning Japanese, I'd love to find a native speaker to practice with!

[@realisticthinking3490]

what a waste of time I demand a refund of my 10:11 back

[@sometingspecial1095]

I am from India 😂😂

[@0angeplume0]

I love his hot chest.

[@francesca9473]

The Italian stereotype was very cringe-worthy and anachronistic. We on average learn 2/3 other indo-European languages during high school and accent wise, who doesn't have it?

[@jeffreyd508]

Cute story, but nothing of practical value. Asking your native friends to always speak to you in their language is ponderous and unenjoyable to them. Put yourself in their shoes.

[@Zwerggoldhamster]

Jeffrey D: Not true ;)

[@camtheunicorpse2217]

Jeffrey D I talk to my best friend in Russian a lot and she will reply to me in Russian even if I don't know what she is saying, it's actually really helpful for me to learn and we end up having really funny conversations, she loves when I say something in Russian because my I say it funny

[@Tlatoanimeh]

Jeffrey D Geez buddy, What kind of friends do you have?

[@majidesu6191]

That's false. If I made a friend who had moved to the states, I wouldn't just REFUSE to speak English to them... That's rude.

[@spiritsplice]

What the fuck is wrong with the "Swedish" idiots hair? It is obvious he is not Swedish. Anyone who has learned a language knows you need about 5000 words plus a host of other things to even begin to have a conversation beyond "where is the toilet" and "I would like some milk."

[@rds7516]

He's swedish, don't worry :) And yes, their tips are very handy, you can even try to walk around the house trying to name everyday objects only in the language you're trying to learn. It's very effective!

[@tntcheats]

Your usage of the word "hack" makes my blood boil.

[@gradingterminal807]

catch ya alL

[@gradingterminal807]

catch ya alL