Cara Bisa Belajar Bahasa Apapun (otodidak, dari rumah)

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their journey of learning five languages—Indonesian, English, German, Korean, and Japanese—autodidactically from home. They explain how passion and meaningful interaction with content in each language helped them stay consistent and avoid burnout. Highlighting the importance of personalized learning methods, the speaker discusses how consuming content like TV shows, music, and books in each language facilitated their learning. They also touch on the challenges and rewards of adding a new language, emphasizing the importance of patience and setting achievable, personal language goals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Self-learning languages at home is possible and sustainable without burnout through meaningful interaction and consistent practice.
• 😀 The speaker has successfully learned five languages: Indonesian, English, German, Korean, and Japanese, with varying levels of proficiency.
• 😀 The key to language learning is to have emotional and personal investment in the language, finding content that connects with your interests.
• 😀 The speaker’s language learning journey has primarily been self-directed, relying on online resources, media like movies, music, and podcasts, rather than formal classes.
• 😀 The speaker avoids traditional language courses due to their lack of personalization, opting instead for more tailored learning experiences through self-study and content consumption.
• 😀 It's important to ensure a natural interest in the language before committing to learning it, as motivation and engagement are crucial for long-term success.
• 😀 Fluency in a language is a vague concept—learning a language to a practical level that serves personal goals (e.g., ordering coffee, watching a show without subtitles) is more achievable and meaningful.
• 😀 As more languages are learned, subsequent languages become easier to acquire due to developed skills in recognizing patterns and strategies.
• 😀 Language learning should focus on meaningful input, such as watching content in the target language, listening to music, and reading materials that interest you, rather than just memorizing grammar rules.
• 😀 The process of learning a language involves alternating between consuming input (listening, watching, reading) and practicing output (speaking, writing). It is a continuous cycle of improvement.
• 😀 Language skills are dynamic—learning one language can reinforce skills in another, creating a reinforcing cycle that helps maintain proficiency over time.

Q & A

How did the speaker learn five languages on their own?

The speaker learned five languages (Indonesian, English, German, Korean, and Japanese) through self-study at home, using online resources, and immersing themselves in content related to each language, such as watching dramas, listening to music, and reading books. They also applied practical usage by engaging with native speakers and practicing real-life situations.

What languages has the speaker learned and to what level?

The speaker has learned Indonesian (native), English (fluent), German (intermediate), Korean (intermediate), and Japanese (beginner, currently studying). They use each language for different purposes such as casual conversation, academic work, and even political discussions.

What is the key to maintaining consistency in language learning?

The key to consistency in language learning is emotional investment in the language. The speaker emphasizes the importance of having meaningful interactions with the language and being genuinely interested in the content you consume, rather than relying on willpower alone.

Why did the speaker stop attending formal language courses?

The speaker stopped attending formal language courses because they found the lessons were not personalized to their interests. They prefer self-directed learning, where they can focus on topics they are passionate about, rather than following a set curriculum that may not align with their personal goals.

What method does the speaker use to learn languages?

The speaker primarily uses an input-based method, where they consume a lot of content in the target language (such as dramas, music, and books) to become familiar with the sounds, patterns, and structures of the language. They also engage in output practices (speaking, writing) once they have absorbed enough input.

How does the speaker choose the languages to learn?

The speaker chooses languages based on personal interest and emotional connection. For example, their interest in gaming motivated them to learn English, while their fascination with Korean dramas led them to study Korean. They believe it's essential to have a natural curiosity about the language to stay motivated.

What advice does the speaker give about fluency in a language?

The speaker advises that fluency is a vague and abstract concept. Rather than aiming for perfect fluency, learners should set specific, practical goals, such as being able to order coffee in German or watching a K-drama in Korean without subtitles.

What role does emotional investment play in language learning?

Emotional investment is crucial in language learning. The speaker believes that when learners are emotionally engaged with the language, whether through cultural content, personal connections, or specific goals, they are more likely to stay motivated and progress consistently.

How does the speaker manage to learn multiple languages simultaneously?

The speaker manages to learn multiple languages by following a flexible approach, learning at their own pace, and switching focus between languages as needed. They emphasize the importance of consuming content that aligns with their interests and using techniques like alternating between input (consumption) and output (practice).

What is the speaker's current language learning project?

The speaker's current language learning project is Finnish. They are in the phase of consuming content and familiarizing themselves with the language, with plans to dive deeper into grammar and formal learning in the next two or three years.