telc test takers can gain certification of their abilities in eight different European languages besides English. Many people around the world speak more than one language, but is there a limit to how many it is possible to learn?
With the ability to speak of 32 different languages and passively understand as many again, telc Ambassador for Multilingualism and Integration Ioannis Ikonomou goes beyond the standard definition of a polyglot. Greek-born Ikonomou started learning English at the age of six and now works as a translator and interpreter for the European Commission. The languages he speaks range from English to German, Italian, Russian, Turkish and even Chinese – a skill which currently forms an important part of his work for the European Union.
In a recent interview with the Athens News, Ikonomou describes the full-immersion approach he adopts with new languages, stating: ‘There’s really no hard or easy language to learn […] Anyone can learn a language if they fall in love with it.’
How many languages do you speak? Do you have a telc certificate to prove it? Perhaps you know someone who speaks many languages or have heard about a polyglot similar to Ioannis Ikonomou? Join the discussion on the telc English Facebook page and share your stories!
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Look out for next week's article, which will be out on telc Current News on 19 September.