How to LEARN ANY LANGUAGE on Your Own (Fast!)
Summary
TLDRThis video script shares the speaker's journey of learning multiple languages after the age of 28 and offers an effective, enjoyable, and free method for language acquisition. It debunks the myth of quick language learning, emphasizing the importance of realistic expectations and consistent study. The script outlines a three-stage learning process: beginner, intermediate, and advanced, each with specific strategies such as using structured guides, the 'walking technique' for listening practice, and engaging in conversations with native speakers. The speaker also advises against using language learning apps like Duolingo for beginners and recommends typing notes for better retention and future digital communication skills.
Takeaways
- 😀 The speaker learned multiple languages after the age of 28 and emphasizes the importance of an effective method for language learning.
- 📚 The speaker warns against unrealistic expectations set by misleading 'quick learn' language videos on platforms like YouTube.
- ⏳ Real progress in language learning takes time, with a minimum of six months to feel comfortable speaking a new language, and up to two years for more distant languages.
- 🗣️ Fluency is defined as the ability to understand others and express oneself comfortably in virtually any context.
- 📈 The language learning process is divided into three stages: beginner, intermediate, and advanced, each with specific goals and methods.
- 📚 For beginners, the focus should be on understanding and speaking simple sentences using structured guides and resources.
- 🎧 The intermediate stage introduces the 'walking technique' which involves listening to high-quality material in the target language while walking and repeating phrases.
- 🔍 Google Translate is recommended for looking up unknown words and phrases during the walking technique, despite its imperfections.
- 💬 To reach fluency, speaking with native speakers is crucial, which can be done through paid services, language exchange apps, or in-person interactions.
- 🚫 When practicing with a conversation partner, it's important to avoid using one's native language to force the mind to adapt to the new language.
- 💪 Embracing challenges and making mistakes is encouraged as it aids in quick improvement, similar to pushing oneself in a gym workout.
- 🦖 The speaker advises to always test one's limits and seek breakthroughs in language learning, likening the process to the T-Rex from Jurassic Park.
Q & A
At what age did the speaker start learning their first second language?
-The speaker started learning their first second language at the age of 28.
How many languages does the speaker currently speak fluently?
-The speaker currently speaks four languages fluently: Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Arabic.
What is the speaker's opinion on the effectiveness of language learning apps like Duolingo?
-The speaker believes that apps like Duolingo are too easy and too slow for effective language learning.
What does the speaker suggest as a structured guide for beginners to start learning a language?
-The speaker suggests using a textbook with an audio companion, a website, or an educational YouTube series as a structured guide for beginners.
Why does the speaker recommend typing notes instead of writing them by hand?
-The speaker recommends typing notes because it is faster, more efficient, and will be more useful when reaching a more advanced level of language learning.
What is the 'walking technique' the speaker introduces for intermediate language learners?
-The 'walking technique' involves listening to high-quality listening material in the target language while walking around, quietly repeating phrases, and using Google Translate to look up unfamiliar words or phrases.
What is the speaker's definition of fluency in a language?
-The speaker defines fluency as being able to understand others and express oneself comfortably in virtually any context.
What is the minimum time the speaker suggests for feeling comfortable speaking a new language that is relatively close to one's native language?
-The speaker suggests that it will probably take at least six months to feel comfortable speaking a new language that is relatively close to one's native language.
What is the speaker's advice for finding conversation partners to practice speaking the target language?
-The speaker advises using websites like italki.com to pay for native speaker time over Skype, using apps like hellotalk for language exchange, or practicing with a native speaker in person if possible.
How does the speaker relate the process of language learning to working out at the gym?
-The speaker relates language learning to working out at the gym by stating that just like pushing oneself in the gym to get stronger, one must experience the challenge of conversing in an unfamiliar language to improve quickly.
What is the speaker's advice on dealing with mistakes while learning a language?
-The speaker advises not to be afraid of making mistakes, as they are helpful because when someone corrects you, you are less likely to make the same mistake in the future.
Outlines
📚 Language Learning Journey and Method
The speaker shares their personal experience of learning multiple languages as an adult, emphasizing the effectiveness of a method they discovered. They debunk common misconceptions about rapid language acquisition and set realistic expectations, stating that fluency in a new language typically requires at least six months to two years of consistent study. The speaker outlines the language learning process in three stages: beginner, intermediate, and advanced, and stresses the importance of a structured guide, active listening and speaking practice, and typing notes for better retention. They also advise against using language learning apps like Duolingo at the beginner stage due to their slow pace.
🚶♂️ The 'Walking Technique' for Language Acquisition
The speaker introduces the 'walking technique' as a core strategy for intermediate language learners to improve drastically. This involves listening to high-quality, natural, and conversational material in the target language while walking outside, quietly repeating phrases to practice pronunciation and comprehension. The speaker also suggests using Google Translate to look up unfamiliar words and phrases, acknowledging its improvements in accuracy. They recommend incorporating this technique into daily study routines and highlight its benefits over traditional desk-based learning, such as increased motivation and relaxation, which are conducive to deep memory retention.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Language Learning
💡Fluency
💡Structured Guide
💡Walking Technique
💡Google Translate
💡Italki
💡Hellotalk
💡Language Exchange
💡Pronunciation
💡Typing Notes
💡Mistakes
Highlights
The speaker learned multiple languages after the age of 28 and shares an effective method for language learning.
Dispels myths about rapid language learning, emphasizing that real progress takes time and patience.
Defines fluency as the ability to understand and express oneself comfortably in any context.
Advises that beginners should focus on understanding and speaking simple sentences.
Recommends using free online tutorials and resources for language learning.
Suggests avoiding language learning apps like Duolingo for beginners due to their slow pace.
Encourages beginners to listen and speak a lot, and to practice using the language as soon as possible.
Advises typing notes instead of handwriting for efficiency and future usefulness.
Introduces the 'walking technique' for intermediate learners to improve listening and speaking skills.
Recommends using high-quality, natural listening material for the walking technique.
Suggests quietly repeating phrases while listening to improve pronunciation and comprehension.
Compares the walking technique to meditation, highlighting its relaxed and immersive nature.
Advises using Google Translate to look up unfamiliar words and phrases during listening exercises.
Recommends talking with native speakers for advanced language learners to achieve fluency.
Suggests using italki.com or apps like HelloTalk for language exchange with native speakers.
Emphasizes the importance of pushing language boundaries and making mistakes to improve.
Encourages viewers to experiment with different learning methods and stay curious.
Invites viewers to share their language learning methods and subscribe to the channel for more content.
Transcripts
i didn't start learning a second
language till i was 28 years old i'm 35
now and i speak spanish french mandarin
and arabic and i speak them all more or
less fluently but look i'm not some kind
of savant
i've simply discovered an effective
method that's helped me learn languages
quickly
it's free it's straightforward and
believe it or not it's enjoyable
and in this video i want to share with
you
there's an unbelievable amount of bad
information out there when it comes to
language learning
especially on youtube i'm sure you've
seen videos with titles like
learn a language in three months learn a
language in two weeks
learn a language while you're on the
john here's the reality those videos are
not real they're click bait full stop
i'm gonna speak to you honestly about
language learning because in my opinion
false expectations are deadly so please
hear this
real progress takes time at a bare
minimum
it's probably going to take you at least
six months to feel comfortable speaking
a new language and that's if it's
relatively close to a language you
already know
say english to spanish if it's a more
distant language
say english to japanese you should be
prepared to spend at least
two years studying consistently before
you really feel natural expressing
yourself in a variety of different
situations and for what it's worth
that's how i define the term
fluency being able to understand other
people and express yourself comfortably
in virtually any context
so how do you get to that level well
let's dive in we'll consider the
language learning process in three
stages
beginner intermediate and advanced if
you're new to a language and know
little or nothing about it you're at the
beginner stage and your goal is pretty
simple you want to get a handle on the
basics of understanding and
speaking simple sentences that's it so
what qualifies as a simple sentence
well that's on you to decide i'll talk
more about specific resources you can
use in a moment but it's important you
know that this method
doesn't have any specific boxes to check
it's open-ended
why because language is personal we all
express ourselves in different ways and
care about different things only you
know what you need to learn to become
fluent
so when something doesn't make sense to
you seek out the answer
the internet is filled with free
tutorials for virtually every language
on earth
okay back to talking about the beginner
stage at the outset you'll want to use
some kind of structured guide that can
provide a foundation for you to build on
maybe that's a textbook with an audio
companion
maybe it's a website maybe it's an
educational youtube series
but stay away from apps like duolingo
they're too easy and too slow
whatever resource you choose make sure
that you're listening and speaking a lot
reading about a language will help you
understand how the pieces fit together
but you want to practice
actually using that language as soon as
possible don't worry you can do this
alone for now and you don't need perfect
pronunciation just do your best
okay great what else as you're studying
make sure you write down useful
vocabulary whenever you come across it
words or even short phrases but do
yourself a favor and type your notes
don't write them by hand why well
learning to write by hand is time
consuming and in my opinion it's
not particularly useful i mean how often
do you write with a pen and paper in
your native language
i'm guessing pretty rarely learning to
type however will be very valuable to
you
when you reach a more advanced level
we'll talk more about that later
so download the appropriate keyboard
install it and start using it
so to recap as a beginner you want to
one find a good learning resource
two get a handle on the basics of making
sentences and three
type your notes and review them
regularly you should be doing all of
that for at least an hour every day
okay level two intermediate once you
feel ready you can begin to incorporate
what i call
the walking technique into your study
routine it's really the heart of this
whole system
and it'll help you improve drastically
no matter what your level
the idea is pretty straightforward i
want you to find
high quality listening material in your
target language you can use a podcast or
you can listen to youtube videos without
looking at the screen the more natural
and conversational
the better so try to avoid things like
audio books or news broadcasts
ideally you'll be able to find an
immersive series that's designed for
people who are learning your target
language there are dozens of programs
like this for german spanish mandarin
etc once you've found some suitable
listening material here's what i want
you to do
step one every day put on your
headphones and listen to that program or
video
and as you do that i want you to simply
walk around
outside you can stroll around your
neighborhood or maybe through a park
and you'll listen to your target
language as you do that step two
as you're listening and walking i want
you to quietly repeat
any short phrases that you understand
don't stop the audio track just quietly
say the phrase and try to match the
speaker's pronunciation
early on you might only catch 10 of
what's being said
that's absolutely fine you'll understand
more with time just stick with it
and stay relaxed as you walk and listen
and speak if you have any experience
with meditation you may notice that this
exercise has some parallels and that's
by design
because staying relaxed while you learn
is very important it helps new
information reach your deep memory
and it'll let your mind naturally adapt
to hearing and speaking
a new language plus i find that studying
at a desk usually kills my motivation
after a few weeks but with this walking
technique
i don't have that problem i actually
enjoy it and if you're someone who loves
learning languages
i think you will too now there is a
third step to this exercise that you
should add when you feel ready maybe
that's right away maybe it takes a few
months
your call so as you listen you're
obviously going to hear many many words
and phrases that you don't understand
but some of these words and phrases will
start to stick out you'll hear them more
often and if people are using these
words regularly they're probably pretty
useful so
you want to know what they mean well how
do you find out my general
recommendation would be to repeat the
word or phrase into google translate now
hold on i know that people hate on
google translate they say it doesn't
work it doesn't translate accurately and
look five years ago i would have agreed
but google translate is getting
much smarter you can look up the
research on this if you don't believe me
and frankly i'd say it's pretty
effective at this point especially if
you're looking up common vocabulary no
it's not perfect but at the very least
it'll keep a rough record of all your
searches
and you can double check the meanings
later on with a native speaker more on
that in just a moment
okay we've covered the walking technique
now let's talk about how you can reach a
more advanced level where you feel truly
fluent i'll cut right to the chase you
need to talk with people in your target
language
but how can you do that as efficiently
as possible well the simplest way is to
use a website like
italki.com and pay a native speaker for
an hour of their time over skype
in my opinion that's money very well
spent but there are free alternatives if
you prefer
you can for instance use an app like
hellotalk to set up an unpaid language
exchange with another student and of
course you don't have to use the
internet if you're able to practice with
a native speaker in person
a friend or a family member or even a
paid tutor you'll likely progress
even faster but this is very important
once you find a conversation partner who
you like
you must avoid using english as much as
possible
unless of course you're learning english
i know it can feel uncomfortable and
even
exhausting to make an hour of
conversation in an unfamiliar language
but experiencing that kind of challenge
will force your mind to improve
quickly it's just like working out at
the gym you need to push yourself if you
want to get stronger
and look there's no need to be afraid of
making mistakes in fact they're helpful
because when someone corrects you you'll
be that much
less likely to make the same mistake in
the future so
keep experimenting and if you find
yourself using the same phrases or
talking about the same topics over and
over
try something new think of yourself as
the t-rex from jurassic park
always test your limits and stay on the
lookout for that big breakthrough
i hope you guys enjoyed this video leave
a comment below and let me know how you
like to learn languages and if you're
not a subscriber to the channel
please consider hitting that big red
button it really means a lot
thanks for watching see you soon
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