how to learn a new language on your own! (a guide) ⭑

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide for language learners, detailing a three-part approach to mastering a new language. The presenter emphasizes the importance of pre-study preparation, including setting goals and familiarizing oneself with the language's sounds. The script suggests using digital flashcards, watching content in the target language, and practicing daily routines with subtitles. It also touches on the significance of learning basic grammar, conjugation, and common phrases. The presenter shares personal tips, such as journaling in the target language and finding a language learning partner, concluding with the advice to practice speaking with native speakers when possible.

Takeaways

• 📓 Start with a dedicated notebook for language learning notes, and a separate one for vocabulary if possible.
• 🎯 Clearly define your goals for learning the language, whether it's for travel, work, studies, or personal interest.
• 🗣️ Begin watching content in the target language to familiarize yourself with pronunciation and common sounds, even if you don't understand it yet.
• 📚 Research basic information about the language, including grammar, pronouns, verbs, and the 100 most common words.
• 🚀 Use platforms like Duolingo to build a strong foundation in the language and learn the basics effectively.
• 📅 Organize your study schedule realistically, setting aside specific times and days dedicated to language learning.
• 📈 Focus on vocabulary by learning specific topics such as daily routines, basic phrases, personal introductions, numbers, and everyday vocabulary.
• 📝 Practice writing sentences with new vocabulary to reinforce learning and check them with a reliable translator.
• 📖 Journal in your target language to challenge yourself to express thoughts and ideas in a new way.
• 👥 If possible, find a language learning partner to practice speaking and texting in the target language.
• 👂 Improve listening skills by watching children's TV shows, which often use simple vocabulary and are easy to understand.
• 🗣️ For speaking practice, focus on phonetic basics and common pronunciation mistakes, and practice with native speakers when possible.

Q & A

What is the speaker's initial experience with learning French?

The speaker started learning French at the age of 13 without any formal instruction, using resources found on the Internet.

What does the speaker recommend for language learners to do before they start studying the language?

The speaker suggests watching content in the target language, even if they don't understand it, to help with pronunciation and internalizing the sounds and common vocabulary.

Why is it important to have a notebook for language learning according to the speaker?

A notebook is important for organizing language learning notes and specifically for vocabulary, making it easier to review and find new words during the learning process.

What should language learners do to define their goals for learning a new language?

Learners should establish clear reasons for learning the language and what they aim to achieve, whether it's for travel, work, studies, or personal interest.

What is the role of 'Duolingo' in the speaker's language learning process?

Duolingo is used by the speaker for learning the basics of a language, as it is effective for building foundational knowledge.

What digital flashcard app does the speaker mention and how does it work?

The speaker mentions a digital flashcard app that shows a word in the native language and, upon clicking, reveals the word in the target language. Users can indicate if they knew the word or not, and the app will continue to show cards until the user gets it right.

How should language learners organize their study time according to the speaker?

Learners should set realistic goals for the amount of time they can dedicate to studying and choose specific days to study, depending on their schedule, to maintain discipline.

What basic language sections should learners focus on according to the speaker?

Learners should focus on listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar as the fundamental sections of language learning.

What is the speaker's advice for practicing vocabulary?

The speaker recommends watching daily routines in the target language with subtitles and reading children's stories to acquire new vocabulary in a context that is easy to understand.

How does the speaker suggest practicing grammar and writing?

The speaker suggests focusing on pronouns and verb conjugation initially, and then writing 10 sentences with new vocabulary at the end of each session to practice conjugation and expression.

What are some of the speaker's tips for improving listening and speaking skills?

The speaker advises watching children's TV shows for simple vocabulary and easy understanding, and practicing speaking with a native speaker or language partner if possible, while considering phonetic basics and common pronunciation mistakes.

Outlines

00:00

📘 Language Learning Preparation and Resources

The speaker introduces their personal experience learning French at the age of 13 and shares their top resources for language learning. The video is structured into three parts: pre-study, organization, and favorite learning ideas. The first part emphasizes the importance of having a dedicated notebook for notes and vocabulary, setting clear language learning goals, and starting to watch content in the target language to familiarize with pronunciation and common vocabulary. The speaker also recommends researching basic grammar, pronouns, verbs, and the 100 most common words in the language. They highlight the effectiveness of using Duolingo for building basic knowledge and suggest using digital flashcards for vocabulary learning.

05:01

📚 Organizing and Enhancing Language Learning

The second paragraph focuses on the organization of language learning, advising viewers to set realistic goals for the time they can dedicate to studying and choosing specific days for study. It discusses the importance of covering various language learning aspects such as listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. The speaker suggests learning basic phrases, numbers, and dates, as well as practicing pronunciation and phonetics. They also recommend conjugating verbs in the simple present tense and learning essential expressions. For vocabulary, watching daily routines in the target language with subtitles and reading children's stories are suggested. For grammar, the speaker advises starting with pronouns and verb conjugation before moving on to tenses. Writing sentences with new vocabulary and practicing with a language partner are also recommended. Listening to children's TV shows is suggested for improving listening skills, and the speaker shares their struggle with speaking and the importance of practicing pronunciation and seeking opportunities to speak with native speakers.

Keywords

💡Language Learning

Language learning is the process of acquiring new languages and improving proficiency in communication. In the video's context, it is the central theme, as the speaker shares personal experiences and strategies for learning French. For example, the speaker mentions starting to learn French at the age of 13 and using various resources on the Internet.

💡Notebook

A notebook is a book used for writing notes, which in the video, is recommended for organizing language learning notes and vocabulary. The speaker suggests using a separate notebook or section for vocabulary words to keep them organized and easily accessible, illustrating the importance of structured note-taking in language learning.

💡Goals

Goals in the video refer to the personal objectives for learning a language. The speaker emphasizes the importance of defining clear goals, whether for travel, work, studies, or personal interest, to maintain motivation and direction in language learning. For instance, the speaker's goal for learning French was to watch series in French.

💡Pronunciation

Pronunciation is the way in which words are articulated when speaking a language. The video suggests that understanding pronunciation is crucial for effective communication and that exposure to the target language, even without full comprehension, helps in internalizing pronunciation patterns, as mentioned by the speaker's experience.

💡Common Vocabulary

Common vocabulary refers to words that are frequently used in everyday language. The speaker advises researching the 100 most common words in the target language as they are highly useful for improving language skills. This concept is integral to building a foundational lexicon for language learners.

💡Dualingo

Dualingo, likely a misspelling of 'Duolingo' in the script, is an educational platform that offers language learning courses. The speaker recommends it for learning the basics of a language, indicating its utility in the initial stages of language acquisition.

💡Digital Flashcards

Digital flashcards are electronic versions of traditional flashcards used for memorization and learning. The speaker mentions using a digital flashcard app to practice vocabulary, highlighting the app's feature of persistently showing cards until the learner gets the word right, which demonstrates the use of technology in language learning.

💡Organization

Organization in the context of the video pertains to planning and scheduling language study sessions. The speaker advises being realistic about the time one can dedicate to studying and choosing specific days to maintain discipline, which is essential for consistent progress in language learning.

💡Vocabulary

Vocabulary refers to the set of words known to a person. The video suggests various methods to expand vocabulary, such as watching daily routines with subtitles and reading children's stories. The speaker also recommends writing sentences with new vocabulary to practice usage and conjugation.

💡Grammar

Grammar is the set of structural rules governing the composition of sentences, phrases, and words in a language. The speaker recommends starting with pronouns and verb conjugation and then moving on to tenses, indicating the sequential approach to mastering language structure.

💡Listening

Listening in language learning involves comprehending spoken language. The video suggests watching children's TV shows as a way to improve listening skills due to their simple vocabulary and ease of understanding, which is particularly helpful for beginners.

💡Speaking

Speaking is the verbal expression of thoughts and feelings in a language. The speaker discusses the challenge of finding someone to practice speaking French with and recommends studying phonetic basics and common pronunciation mistakes. The importance of practicing with a native speaker, if possible, is also highlighted.

Highlights

The speaker started learning French at the age of 13 using online resources.

A notebook is recommended for language learning notes and a separate one for vocabulary.

Defining clear language learning goals is crucial for motivation and direction.

Watching content in the target language before studying can improve pronunciation.

Basic information such as grammar, pronouns, and common words should be researched early on.

Duolingo is mentioned as an effective tool for learning language basics.

Digital flashcards can be used to reinforce vocabulary learning.

Setting a realistic study schedule is key for discipline and consistency.

Vocabulary learning should start with everyday phrases and basic grammar structures.

Writing sentences with new vocabulary can help practice conjugation.

Using Reversal as a reliable translator to check written sentences.

Journaling in the target language can enhance vocabulary and expression skills.

Having a language learning partner to practice text communication in the target language.

Watching children's TV shows can improve listening skills due to simple vocabulary.

Studying phonetic basics and common pronunciation mistakes can aid in speaking practice.

Practicing with a native speaker, if possible and safe, is highly beneficial for speaking.

The speaker's personal experience with learning French and the joy of sharing language learning tips.

Encouragement to like, subscribe, and engage with the content for more language learning support.

Transcripts

hi guys so when I was 13 years old I

started learning French on my own and I

looked for information and sources all

over the Internet and today I'm going to

share with you my favorites for your

language learning Journey so let's get

started this video will be divided in

three parts pre- study organization and

my favorite language learning ideas pre-

study let's start with an notbook make

sure that you have a notebook where you

will be able to put all of your language

learning notes I really recommend you to

use a second little notebook for your

vocabulary new words that you will be

finding in this learning process but if

you don't have another notebook you can

divide your notebook in two and use the

last part of the notebook for your

vocabulary words like this it will be

easier to find now Define your goals you

got to clearly establish why you want to

learn the language

and what do you want to achieve is it

for travel work studies personal

interest I mean personally when I was

through thing I choose French just

because I like the serious in French and

I wanted to like watch the serious in

French so it doesn't have to be like a

really serious reason to start learning

but I really recommend you that it's a

reason that really excites you and makes

you feel like learning start watching

content in your target language even

before studying something but what I

will not understand anything paa what

are you talking about yes I know just

let me explain you pronunciation is

extremely important to have an effective

communication doing this will help your

brain to start internalizing the way

they pronounce certain BOS common

vocabulary and even the kind of sounds

they make and this will help you so much

in your future pronunciation just give

it a try it worked so good for me I

think so I want to think so next part is

B basic information again basic

information research the language with

this I mean the basic grammar pronouns

verbs search the 100 most common words

in the language these words will be so

useful for your Improvement five and

last build basic knowledge for me dingo

has worked so well when I start learning

start learning a language you will learn

a whole language with dualingo but it is

so good for learning the basics wait a

minute there is a Dragon Ball character

that's called Gohan right is that Dr in

Japanese I'm so

confused and my other favorite digital

flash CS I love them this not sponsored

but I use this up for doing my digital

flash cards it just shows you one side

of the card where there is like the word

in your native language for example and

then you click the card and it will turn

and you will see the word on your target

language you can click the happy face if

you knew the word the sad face if you

didn't and the app will not stop asking

you the same flash card every four flash

cards until you get it right so you can

be sure you will learn those words now

you have an idea of the language you

want to start learning so let's start

with the organization set the time you

will be able to dedicate to your

language so you got to be realistic with

this whether it is 30 minutes or 1 hour

you got to be really realistic with this

and choose your days to study maybe you

will study 1 hour every day maybe you

will study 1 hour Monday to Friday maybe

you will study two hours Monday

Wednesday and Friday it will depend a

lot on your schedule so try to be honest

with yourself and organize that well

because that will be key for your

discipline now we know there are some

basic sections of language learning like

listening speaking Reading Writing

vocabulary and grammar for vocabulary it

will be very important you start

learning these specific topics spring

and basic phrases personal introductions

numbers and dates everyday vocabulary

pronunciation and phonetics basic

grammar structure with this I mean learn

to conjugate verbs in the simple present

tense as it is the most commonly used T

is very important expressions of need

and desire emergency phrases like I'm

lost don't speak English I didn't speak

Spanish I just speak Japanese now let's

go to my favorite part of the video my

favorite language learning ideas so for

vocabulary I really recommend you to

watch daily routines on your target

language with subtitles this will help

you to have so much daily vocabulary I

also recommend you searching on the

internet little children's stories the

stories used to have a very basic

vocabulary so if you don't understand a

word write it down and then search the

translation and like this you will be

having a lot of new vocabulary grammar I

will recommend you to spend your first

sessions on pronouns verbs conjugation

of each pronoun like I eat we eat they

sleep and then when you're a little bit

more advanced start studying tenses and

their conjugations I ate I saw I knew

when I was learning French I loved to

end my sessions writing 10 sentences

with a new vocabulary that I got that

day so I really recommend you to do this

too like this you will also practice

your conjugation so give it a try and

then check them out with a reliable

translator my favorite one is reversal

and this is not sponsored again let's go

with writing such an inspiring in

section if you're like me and love

journaling I really recommend you to

journal in your target language it will

challenge you every day to find the

correct words to express yourself and

search them if you don't know them

believe me you will learn so much with

this now if you have a friend that is

learning the same language as you make

her or him your language learning

partner and text only in your target

language now listening watch kids TV

shows they have a simple vocabulary and

they used to be easy to understand at

the end they are made for people that

are learning a new language that means

kids learning their own native language

and finally speaking was the part that I

struggled the most when I was learning

French because it was really difficult

to find someone who was learning French

too here in Mexico or a native speaker

so I really recommend you to search the

phonetic Basics like this you can

consider them in your speaking and also

search the most common pronunciation

mistakes in beginners there are so many

YouTube videos about these topics and

that will be really helpful because you

are probably making these mistakes so

consider that but if you have the

opportunity to practice with a native

speaker do it if it is safe do it okay

guys so I really enjoyed recording this

video I really hope this tips helps you

in your language learning Journey if you

found this tips useful don't forget forg

get to like And subscribe and see you in

the next video adios

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