Como eu Aprendi Inglês Sozinho de Graça!

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses their personal journey of learning English independently and for free, offering insights into why traditional language courses are ineffective for younger people. They emphasize the importance of 'living the language'—surrounding yourself with English content in daily life. The creator highlights how using English in practical situations, such as changing system settings or watching videos in English, accelerates learning. They also touch on the broader issue of language schools prioritizing profits over actual language mastery and advocate for a more self-driven, immersive approach to learning a language.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has been absent from the channel due to illness but is now returning with new content.
• 😀 A video about learning English for free was posted for channel members, and many requested it to be shared publicly.
• 😀 Monetization issues arise when sharing the video publicly because it goes against language course advertisers' interests.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that language courses can be ineffective, especially for younger audiences who are tech-savvy.
• 😀 Learning a language through practice, not just theory, is key. The speaker argues that fluency comes from living the language, not from traditional courses.
• 😀 Perfection in language learning is a long-term process that involves continual practice and exposure.
• 😀 The speaker learned English by immersing himself in English content, changing the language settings on his devices and systems.
• 😀 Watching content in English on topics of personal interest, such as Minecraft or gaming, is an effective way to improve language skills.
• 😀 The speaker recommends starting with subtitles in the native language and gradually switching to English subtitles or even watching without them.
• 😀 Consistency is important. Even dedicating just 20 minutes a day to consuming content in English can greatly improve proficiency over time.
• 😀 The speaker values the practical use of English in real-life contexts, like video tutorials and reading English content, rather than focusing on grammar perfection.

Q & A

Why did the creator stop posting videos for over a week?

The creator stopped posting videos because they were sick. They mention that even a small illness can make a person feel weak and unable to create content.

What was the content that the creator shared with members but could not post publicly?

The creator posted a video on how they learned English on their own for free, which was exclusive to channel members. The creator later decided to share it publicly after receiving requests from viewers.

Why does the creator believe that language courses are ineffective for young people?

The creator believes that language courses are ineffective because they do not teach practical communication skills. According to the creator, the focus of language courses is on keeping students enrolled for as long as possible, which benefits the business rather than the learner.

What does the creator think about the idea of 'fluency' in a language?

The creator argues that fluency is not about perfection, but about being able to communicate and understand what you're consuming in that language. They suggest that fluency is achieved through practice, not by mastering every aspect of the language.

How does the creator describe the process of learning a language through immersion?

The creator describes immersion as 'living the language.' They explain that, just as babies learn their first language by being surrounded by it, learners can improve their skills by constantly engaging with the language in their environment.

What practical steps did the creator take to learn English on their own?

The creator changed the language settings on their computer and phone to English, forcing them to navigate their devices in English. They also consumed content in English, such as watching videos and reading, to enhance their exposure to the language.

What is the importance of choosing content you already enjoy when learning a language?

The creator emphasizes that choosing content you already enjoy, like gaming videos or series, helps you understand the context, making it easier to learn. Familiarity with the topic allows for better comprehension even when the language is new.

What advice does the creator give for overcoming the discomfort of not understanding a language at first?

The creator advises pushing through the initial discomfort by regularly exposing yourself to the language. They explain that after 2-3 months of consistent exposure, the discomfort will decrease, and comprehension will improve.

How did the creator improve their English through social interactions?

The creator improved their English by engaging in conversations with English speakers during their travels, even though they sometimes felt unsure. The key was regular practice and not being afraid of making mistakes.

What does the creator think about the role of language perfection in learning a new language?

The creator believes that perfection in language is overrated. They stress that the ability to communicate and the need for language in real-life situations are far more important than speaking flawlessly.