As language learners, we’re constantly looking for a balance between repetition and variety. Complete beginners or those hoping to brush up some basic skills, need lots of repetition. But language learning should…
TL;DR Summary When you’re learning Japanese, the most important thing is steady exposure. Read and listen a lot — even when you don’t understand everything. The writing systems take time, so get…
“They seek him here, they seek him there…” That old refrain from The Scarlet Pimpernel sums up my approach to language learning. In everything I do, I seek words and structures. I…
I think Spanish is one of the most attractive languages to learn. We can all be motivated to learn a specific language like Mongolian or Finnish because we have a friend or a particular interest. Spanish is different: there are a number of real big advantages to learning Spanish.
Language learning is a long journey, but it’s also a dynamic one. Your resources, priorities, and routines should change as you progress. Beginners, intermediates, and advanced learners all benefit from different kinds…
Conversation implies a two-way exchange of language. Therefore, reaching a conversational level implies quite a high level of comprehension of the language so that we can understand what is being said to us. That means in order to converse properly we need to prepare ourselves.
TL;DR Summary Listen first. Let your ears adjust to French sounds before obsessing over perfect pronunciation. Focus especially on: Practice by listening, repeating, recording yourself, and gradually combining those features. Over time,…
Part of becoming a polyglot is accepting that you’re going to be less than perfect. That means you’re going to speak with mistakes. Your pronunciation may not be perfect, but you have this sense of achievement and the intellectual stimulus of discovering a new world, yet another new world with all of the people, and as you learn another language, then the people of that language come alive, the history comes alive.
TL;DR Summary You can’t truly learn a language in one month — not in the sense of fluency. What you can do is make significant progress if you pour in massive exposure…
TL;DR Summary Kids learn their heritage language best when it’s driven by interest, not pressure. Forcing it often breeds resistance. Instead, foster a warm, low-stress environment where the language is meaningful, fun,…
