How to Learn a Language for Travel: The Dos and Don’ts
Picture this: You’re in a bustling café in Istanbul, ordering a cup of Turkish tea. The waiter asks you a question, but instead of panicking or reaching for Google Translate, you actually…
Korean vs Japanese vs Chinese
TL;DR Summary Chinese, Japanese, and Korean each have their unique traits and challenges. Regardless, all three can be learned effectively through consistent reading and listening. Knowing one language can help with the…
Learn a Language the Natural Way
Many language learners and teachers cling to the idea that rules are the foundation of language learning. Memorize the rules, understand the structure, and fluency will follow—right? Wrong. The truth is, our…
Why I Don’t Use Comprehension Questions to Learn a Language
Comprehension questions are a staple of traditional language learning. You read a passage, listen to some audio, and then you answer questions to prove that you’ve understood. Sounds logical, right? Well, I…
Create Your Own Dictionary to Learn New Words
When it comes to learning a new language, some learners like dictionaries. They read them. They treasure them. They worry about getting the best possible dictionary. I don’t like using dictionaries. Using them is like one-way love.
The Importance of Reading
Of course, we want to speak, we eventually want to speak a lot. Our goal is to speak. We want to speak well, but the emphasis should be on listening and reading because it’s something we can do whenever we want, on our own and it really does help our brain become familiar with the language.
Language Learning Mindset: Take Your Time
Everywhere you look, people are selling the dream of instant progress in a new language. There are plenty of videos out there claiming that fluency can be achieved in three to six…
Is It Hard to Learn Japanese?
Japanese, simply in terms of the vocabulary, the structure being very different from say English, if you’re an English speaker, is going to be more difficult. However, there are a number of things that make Japanese easier, in my opinion.
No More Excuses! Why Anyone Can Learn a Language
TL;DR Anyone can learn a language. Age and talent are not the determining factors. It’s a matter of consistency, motivation, and tolerance for mistakes. With regular exposure and persistence, fluency is achievable…
No Necesitas Dominar lo Básico para Aprender un Idioma
Muchos profesores insisten en la necesidad de dominar lo básico cuando estás aprendiendo un idioma. Sin embargo, yo propongo que esta lógica no es correcta ni productiva. Sí, puede parecer sorprendente o…
How to Read One Million Words per Year in your Target Language
Reading plays a crucial role in success, both in language learning and in general. In fact, studies have shown that individuals who read well experience greater socioeconomic success. To put it briefly,…
Effective Learning Strategies From “Making it Stick”
In the quest to master new skills or languages, one challenge stands out: making information stick. Drawing inspiration from Peter C. Brown’s Make It Stick, we’ll take a look at some effective…
