How I Learn Languages | 8 Tips for Success

Summary

In this informative video, the speaker shares valuable tips and strategies for effectively learning and maintaining new languages. With personal experience speaking Korean, English, and Spanish, the speaker emphasizes the importance of vocabulary acquisition through natural exposure and digital organization. They recommend using online resources, practicing with native speakers through platforms like italki, and embracing a trial-and-error approach to improve pronunciation and grammar. The video also highlights the significance of setting specific goals, engaging with media in the target language, and maintaining motivation throughout the language learning journey.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Learning vocabulary is foundational for language acquisition, and it's more effective to learn words naturally through reading or watching media rather than memorizing a dictionary.
• 📝 Maintaining a vocabulary list is crucial for language retention, and digital tools like Google Docs can be helpful for categorizing and visualizing words.
• 🔍 Utilizing multiple dictionaries per language can enhance understanding by presenting definitions in different ways.
• 📚 Online resources and apps like Quizlet, conjuguemos.com, and SparkNotes offer targeted help for specific language topics and are a viable alternative to traditional textbooks.
• 🗣️ Practicing with fluent speakers, such as friends, mentors, or tutors on platforms like italki, provides invaluable real-time feedback and accelerates language proficiency.
• 🎥 Engaging with media in the target language, including lifestyle vlogs, movies, and TV shows, can make learning more enjoyable and expose learners to realistic language use.
• 🎶 Listening to music and attempting to understand lyrics can help familiarize oneself with the sounds and rhythm of a language.
• 📖 Reading books in the target language, especially those familiar to the learner, can improve comprehension and vocabulary.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation practice involves imitation and can be enhanced by recording oneself and comparing with native speakers.
• 🌐 Considering dialects when learning a language is important; focusing on one dialect initially can streamline the learning process.
• 💪 Embracing mistakes as learning opportunities is essential for language growth, as they provide clarity and correction of misunderstandings.
• 🔄 Translating or transcribing content, such as TED Talks or YouTube videos, can help maintain and improve language skills while contributing to meaningful projects.
• 📓 Keeping a diary in the target language is a low-commitment, habitual activity that can sustain language fluency over time.
• 🚀 Staying motivated by setting specific, achievable goals and reminding oneself of the 'why' behind learning a language is key to maintaining progress and enthusiasm.

Q & A

What languages does the speaker speak and in what order did they learn them?

The speaker speaks Korean, English, and Spanish. Korean is their first language, English is their second language which they started learning when they moved to the US at the age of 10, and Spanish is the third language which they started learning in 7th grade.

What is the speaker's proficiency level in each language?

The speaker is most comfortable in Korean and English and is currently in the maintaining phase for these two languages. They are less comfortable with Spanish and hopes to improve it in the future.

Why did the speaker give up on memorizing the entire dictionary when learning English?

The speaker gave up on memorizing the entire dictionary because they weren't retaining most of the words and didn't know when to use them, making the effort inefficient and unproductive.

What is the speaker's recommendation for learning vocabulary?

The speaker recommends learning vocabulary naturally, such as by reading books, watching TV, or changing the language settings on devices to the target language. They also suggest creating a vocabulary list and categorizing words for easier memorization.

How does the speaker use technology to aid in language learning?

The speaker uses technology by changing device language settings to the target language, using Google Docs for organizing vocabulary lists, and utilizing online resources and apps like Quizlet, conjuguemos.com, and SparkNotes for targeted language study.

What is italki and how does it help with language learning?

italki is an online language learning platform that connects language learners with teachers from around the world through 1-on-1 online lessons. It offers learning opportunities in more than 150 languages with 20,000 tutors, providing a flexible and personalized learning experience.

Why is it important to listen and observe before speaking and writing in a new language?

Listening and observing are crucial as they allow learners to understand the context, pronunciation, and usage of words and phrases in the target language, which is essential for effective communication and language acquisition.

How can watching TV shows or movies in the target language help with language learning?

Watching TV shows or movies in the target language exposes learners to realistic and everyday language use, helps improve pronunciation, and can make learning more entertaining and engaging.

What is the significance of recording oneself while practicing pronunciation?

Recording oneself allows learners to listen to their own pronunciation and compare it with native speakers, enabling them to identify and correct their pronunciation errors and improve their speaking skills.

Why should learners focus on one dialect of a language when starting out?

Focusing on one dialect helps learners to establish a solid foundation in the language by mastering the specific pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary of that dialect before branching out to other variations of the language.

How does making mistakes contribute to language learning?

Making mistakes is an integral part of the learning process as it allows learners to identify their weaknesses, receive corrections, and remember the correct usage more vividly, thus reinforcing language acquisition.

What are some ways to maintain fluency in multiple languages?

Some ways to maintain fluency include translating or transcribing captions for websites, writing subtitles for videos, keeping a diary in the target language, and continuously engaging with the language through various media and social interactions.

What role does motivation play in the language learning process?

Motivation is crucial as it drives learners to persist through challenges, helps them to stay engaged with the language, and encourages them to set and achieve both short-term and long-term goals in their language learning journey.