How I learn languages (A0 to A2)

These are the methods I use to learn several languages on my own.

Several people I’ve met have asked me how I learn languages since I can speak 4 fluently, and I’m currently learning my 5th and 6th with sound, and somewhat fast results.

I believe it is just a matter of practice and the more languages you learn, the easiest it is to pick up another one. However, don’t take me wrong, it still takes time and effort.

Learning languages opens a lot of opportunities and possibilities to learn about new cultures, experiences, and people. As Nelson Mandela said:

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”

Before we start, I want to give you some key ideas.

I honestly believe that the most important thing, in order to learn a language or anything in general, is that you find the process fun. You have to enjoy the process. If you don’t have that, learning that language is going to be really difficult, and the most probable outcome is you halting the acquisition of the tongue.

The second most important part of learning a language is that you have a good enough reason to learn that language. You need to have that motivation and discipline to stick to learning that tongue. However, I started learning French because I enjoyed the sound of the language. Life is sometimes contradictory.

Just one more thing before we start.

As you can see from the title, I’m splitting this post into parts called stages so that it is easier to read.

This is a “living post”, so it is going to be evolving over time, more versions are going to be released soon.

To finish up with the meta, at the end I will put some references for further reading and learning. That’s where I learned most of what I know now, so I would recommend you to not pass by without taking at least a look.

First and foremost, what’s comprehensible input? And what’s the difference between studying a language and acquiring it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiTsduRreug

The legend: Stephen Krashen on Language Acquisition.

Comprehensible Input is a key concept that you have to understand and use, if you want to learn languages without frustration and enjoying the process.

I firmly believe that we should focus more on acquiring languages rather than studying them. I believe this because more people would see results faster and easier than with traditional methods. Not to say that traditional methods are not useful. I will use both in this article. However, I wanted to red-pill you on language acquisition.

Stage A0 to A2, from zero to beginner.

Steps summary

Pronunciation!

The most important thing that you should do is focus on the pronunciation! If you get this wrong right from the start, it is going to get harder to correct it in the future.

Remember this: practice does not make perfect, it just makes permanent. Therefore, if you don’t know the pronunciation or have someone to correct you, mistakes will happen.

1. Learn the pronunciation.

You can use Pimsleur, but there are, depending on your target language, more specialized apps for this purpose. For instance, ELSA Speak for Spanish speakers learning English. Try to look for one for your target language if you don’t like Pimsleur.

Moreover, you can improve your pronunciation by recording yourself and sending that audio to a friend who speaks that language. More on this later.

2. Immerse yourself in the language.

Try to do this as much as possible. (This is common to all stages, but now it is really important).

Listen to new music in your target language, start watching some videos on YouTube in that tongue. Everything counts!

3. Learn the basic words from a method.

When I say methods I am talking about Pimsleur, Busuu, Assimil, Babbel, Duolingo or Memrise.

Two points about Duolingo:

• I know many people dislike Duolingo since it doesn’t really tech you the language, and real life situations. However, I must admit that for the price you’re paying (for the free version) you can get a good feel for your target language and realize if you would like to go forward with it.
• If you can afford it, I would recommend you to use Busuu right away. If you can afford it. It is worth every Euro I paid for it.

4. Learn the “tool words”.

What are the “tools words”? You may ask. Well, let me give you some examples:

• What is that?
• How do you say …?
• What does … mean?

You should learn them right away, specially if you are able to talk with a native from the beginning. So that the conversations can be kept in the target language.

5. Watch a movie you have already seen in your target language.

It is better if you watch your favorite movie!

I’m recommending you this so that you can get a grasp on the sound of the target language. You should use subtitles in your target language. However, if it is not going to be pleasant for you, just use your native language subtitles.

You already know the plot, so you should start recognizing some keywords.

6. Start practicing what you know with others (Optional but recommended)

You can, if you really want, start practicing with natives or people that speak the target language better than you. However, make sure they correct you. Otherwise, as I said before, you can get used to bad habits. Remember: “Practice doesn’t necessarily make perfect, it makes permanent”

I will create another post on how to have effective language exchanges.

7. Subtitles are your friends

Start a new show on Netflix or YouTube in your target language, with subtitles in your language. You will start to recognize more and more words from the lessons you have studied.

BTW, if you use Netflix or YouTube, you can use the Language Reactor browser extension! It is magic when you are learning a language. More on this kind of tools in future posts.

Moreover, as a side note, you can consider watching Netflix as being productive since you’re developing your listening skills for your target language. Yay!

To conclude

I hope this helped you to make things a bit more clear. This is my first post so I expect mistakes. Therefore, don’t hesitate to tell me, I’m all ears for improving :)