How to LEARN ANY LANGUAGE on Your Own (Fast!)

Summary

This 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

00:00

📚 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.

05:01

🚶‍♂️ 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.

Keywords

💡Language Learning

Language learning refers to the process of acquiring the ability to understand and communicate in a language other than one's native tongue. In the video, the theme revolves around the speaker's personal journey and method for learning multiple languages efficiently. The script emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations and a structured approach to language learning.

💡Fluency

Fluency in the context of the video is defined as the ability to understand others and express oneself comfortably in virtually any context in a language. It is a key goal for language learners and is used to illustrate the level of proficiency the speaker aims to achieve in the languages he has learned.

💡Structured Guide

A structured guide is a systematic resource, such as a textbook, website, or educational series, that provides a foundation for language learning. In the script, the speaker recommends using such a guide to build a strong basis in the language, especially for beginners.

💡Walking Technique

The walking technique is a method the speaker introduces for intermediate learners to improve listening and speaking skills. It involves listening to high-quality audio in the target language while walking and quietly repeating phrases. This technique is highlighted as a crucial part of the speaker's language learning strategy.

💡Google Translate

Google Translate is an online language translation service that the speaker suggests using to look up unfamiliar words or phrases during the walking technique. Despite common criticisms, the speaker argues that it has improved significantly and can be a helpful tool for language learners, especially for recording searches for later review.

💡Italki

Italki is a language learning platform mentioned in the script where learners can pay for one-on-one sessions with native speakers via Skype. The speaker endorses it as an efficient way to practice speaking a language and achieve fluency.

💡Hellotalk

Hellotalk is an app for language exchange that allows users to connect with others for mutual language learning. The speaker presents it as a free alternative to Italki for those who want to practice speaking a language without financial investment.

💡Language Exchange

Language exchange is a concept where two individuals, each learning the other's native language, practice speaking through conversation. The speaker suggests this as an effective method to improve language skills and achieve fluency, especially when done with a conversation partner.

💡Pronunciation

Pronunciation is the way in which words are articulated when spoken. The speaker advises not to worry about achieving perfect pronunciation initially, focusing instead on practicing speaking as much as possible to improve over time.

💡Typing Notes

Typing notes refers to the speaker's recommendation to type out vocabulary and phrases instead of writing them by hand. This is suggested as a more efficient method that will also be beneficial when using technology for communication in advanced language learning stages.

💡Mistakes

Mistakes in language learning are an inevitable part of the process. The speaker encourages learners to embrace making mistakes as they provide opportunities for correction and improvement, much like challenges in physical exercise that lead to strength.

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