Join This Beijing Expat on a Journey to Learn 12 Languages in 12 Months

If you think learning one or two languages at a time sounds tough, how does attempting to master 12 languages over the course of a single year sound?

This is the mission of Anthony Permaye, a Beijing-based expat and self-described “Language Chameleon” who, since mastering Chinese, has worked all over the world and taught English, Spanish, and French professionally. He’s also one of the capital’s only registered neuro-language coaches.

Not to be outdone by his current achievements, Permaye is setting out on a quest to travel the world while learning 12 languages in 12 months (12L12M). All the while, he intends to document his journey and share tips and tricks to achieving language learning goals. We recently spoke with Permaye to find out more about his language learning techniques, and the 12L12M challenge.

Tell us about your plan for learning all these languages while traveling. What was the impetus and how will you reach your goal?
I’ve been preparing for this unique challenge for months now, training like an athlete but for languages. I use apps, TV series and italki to find private teachers online for speaking practice. While traveling, week one in each country is “intensive learning” – in some countries, I’ll be working with a school and in others, I’ll be studying by myself using my own Three Digital Language Learning (3DLL) system (using my environment and finding a language snitch: someone I can practice the language with). In week four, I have to pass a cultural challenge in that language and score a minimum of 6 out 10. For example, learning KungFu at Shaolin for a week and pass a test on the last day.  The main goal is to reach 85 points at the end of this 12-month odyssey. I will actively learn those languages, staying with host families (week two) and traveling the country (week three).

You’re able to speak five plus languages at present. What got you started and, in turn, what inspired you to help others?
I’ve been a language teacher for the past 17 years. I love languages. I fell into it when I was 21 moving to the UK for my tertiary education. I was already surrounded by Chinese students then. I got attracted to Chinese that way. I learned more Spanish while carrying out internships in Barcelona and Nicaragua too. Then, Japanese came along when I finally moved there.

As a teacher, so many students have been asking me HOW to learn a language and to answer their question I wrote a book called How TO Become Free & Successful Through Language Learning, but that wasn’t enough. I had to show them exactly how it was done and hence, I came up with the idea of producing the first ever language travel documentary series 12 Languages, 12 Months!

I am now studying Swahili, German, Portuguese, Italian, Indonesian, Arabic and Korean to level A2 so as to have some foundation when hitting each one of these countries.

You’re also recognized as one of the only certified neuro-language coaches in China. What’s a neuro-language coach and how did you earn this distinction?
Neuro-language Coaching is the mix of neuroscience and language, and it can be described as brain-friendly coaching. You learn to identify the coachee’s learning profile, then you select suitable learning tools (primary and secondary) and finally design a study regimen that is integrated into that learner’s personal and professional life.

I got my certificate studying through Efficient Language Learning online – a German coaching company. As a language teacher, it seemed to be the natural next step for me to take and help more language learners.

How can people follow your 12L12M journey and your language learning journeys in general?
I will be dividing each episode (Chinese episode, Japanese episode, …) into four videos that will be published on YouTube and BiliBili: Language Chameleon. Short clips will also be available on WeChat and Instagram mainly. However, the most exciting and effective way to follow this journey is by getting my Around The World In 12 Countries travel log workbook and learning along with us about each country’s language, culture, history, geography and gastronomy. There are two books available, one for primary students and one for secondary students (they can be used by adults as well).

Once the challenge is all done and dusted, do you have any other challenges or plans on the horizon?
Yes, I wish to start a Language Coaching agency to help more people and companies here in China and abroad. I would like to develop my Motivational Public Speaking business as well as I believe we all need a trigger to start learning a language. Finally, I plan to launch season two with 12 completely new languages to me – some are even considered by most as the hardest languages in the world, like Amharic (Ethiopia).

Lastly, if people want to contribute to help you along your 12L12M adventure, how can they do so?
Absolutely! People can sponsor us – my wife Andrea (the camerawoman) and myself – by buying smileys on 40000smiles.com! That’s right, we came up with an original idea for people to actually be “ok” with donating money. We also partnered with TERANGA – a charity organization in Senegal to set up electricity and internet in rural schools over there. Each smiley costs USD 2, or RMB 14, and for every purchase made, 25 percent is given to TERANGA. When we’ve sold all 40000 smileys, we will print that internet page off, frame it and sell it at auction for TERANGA as well! You need to be part of this inspirational mosaic of smiles!

We believe in giving back to the world and this is our way to do so. Every buyer will enter a draw to win free online language lessons with our school partner LTL Beijing! But that’s not all, the top three buyers will get French and Math (or Spanish) classes taught by Andrea and myself for 12, six and three months for free! We believe in our project and we hope you do too! Buy a smile, so we can go an extra mile!

READ: Mandarin Monday: Essential Taco-Related Vocab

Images courtesy of Anthony Permaye