Learn ANY language in FOUR STEPS

https://youtu.be/UvXTu3IIjJI

Learning a language is difficult! So, let's simplify the process in just FOUR steps.

Step No. 1: Build your foundation

Focus on high-frequency vocabulary and sentence structures. This way, you'll learn things that are most commonly used in day-to-day life, which will get you speaking much sooner. When you learn sentence structures, you can also find different ways to use them. Let's look at an example in English. Say you want to learn the structure, "I like _____". You can substitute the blank with any noun you are currently learning. So, you can make sentences such as, "I like dogs", or "I like books".

In addition tho this, you can also change the tense of the sentence structure, which will help with your grammar. Instead of using the present tense, you can use the past tense ("I liked dogs", "I liked books"), or even the future tense ("I will like dogs", "I will like books"). In this way, you get to practice both new vocabulary and grammar. Finding different ways to practice the same sentence structure will help you remember it better, and also understand how to use it across different situations.

Step No. 2: Daily immersion

You can expose yourself to your target language by reading books or articles, watching videos, shows, or movies, and listening to podcasts or music. Right now, I am actively working on Italian. So, I've made it a habit to watch one or two true crime videos in Italian on a daily basis. This has been great for my listening comprehension so far. Just the other day, I even watched an entire movie in Italian, and I was so surprised to find that I was able to understand about 90-95% of it!

I've also been maintaining my Spanish recently in anticipation of a trip to Guatemala in August, and not only have I been watching Spanish TV shows on Netflix, but I've also been listening to and singing along with a whole bunch of Spanish songs. This actually ties into the next step.

Step No. 3: Link language learning to your interests

Since music is another one of my passions (I'm a music teacher, by the way), it makes total sense that I would learn Spanish songs, because it lines up perfectly with my interests. I find that linking your language learning to your hobbies/interests makes the journey more fun, which means that you'll also be more motivated to stay consistent with it.

If you enjoy vlogging, you can try making a few vlogs in your target language. You don't necessarily have to post them, but it's a great way to practice speaking your target language in a more fun and creative fashion. If you enjoy creative writing, you can try writing a short story or two in your target language.

The reason I watch true crime videos in Italian, is because I also have an interest in crime and psychology. In fact, I also recently read two short Italian crime novels. They were fiction, but still in the same theme.

Whatever your interests or hobbies are, finding ways to link your language learning to them will make the experience much more enjoyable, and will help motivate you to stick with it as well.

Step No. 4: 15/30/15 Method

When you start your study session, spend the first 15 minutes prepping your brain with vocabulary review. I know that Anki is a very popular flashcard app, but the one I personally use is called Brainscape. It helps you review vocabulary using the concept of spaced repetition, which has been shown to boost retention.

After, spend 30 minutes immersing yourself in the language. This means reading, watching, or listening to something in your target language. You can find content on YouTube and Netflix, but there is also an app called LingoPie TV, which is basically like the Netflix of language learning. With this app, you can watch TV shows in your target language, with bilingual subtitles. When you come across a word you're unfamiliar with, you can hover over it to see its meaning, and also click on it to add it to your word bank for later revision.

The app also includes different games, in which you can review the vocabulary you've added to your word bank while watching. Just like Brainscape, all these games help you review using the concept of spaced repetition. I've personally used LingoPie TV to build my Italian vocabulary, and I think it's a great way to watch and learn at the same time.

When your 30 minutes of immersion are up, it's time to move on to the final step: 15 minutes of production. You can speak out loud, record yourself speaking the language, or practice writing/journaling your target language. The main idea is that you spend 15 minutes actually producing the language yourself.

And there you have it! Four steps for you to follow to learn ANY language you want! Now, the key, of course, is to be CONSISTENT. If you do these steps only two times a month, you're not going to see a lot of progress. That's why I urge you to try and make the journey as fun as possible for yourself, so that you actually stick with it regularly. I hope you found these tips helpful!