How I Organise My Language Learning This Summer

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares insights into how they manage to maintain 10 languages during the summer. They differentiate between 'maintained' languages (French, Italian, Spanish, Russian) and 'actively studied' languages (German, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish). The speaker discusses their flexible approach to learning, balancing structured study with daily language exposure, including reading, listening to podcasts, and speaking with native speakers. Emphasizing that language learning is a gradual process, they encourage viewers to set realistic goals and adapt their study routines to fit their personal schedules, without pressure.

Takeaways

• 😀 Embrace your own learning pace: Don't compare your language progress to others, especially if you're just starting out. Building proficiency in multiple languages takes time and effort.
• 😀 Categorize your languages: Divide them into 'maintained' (no active study but consistent practice) and 'actively studied' languages to help with time management.
• 😀 No pressure for exams: Once you've achieved a high proficiency (like C1 or C2), you can focus on enjoying the language rather than constantly preparing for exams.
• 😀 Flexibility in study plans: Use platforms like Lingoda Flex to study at your own pace, especially when maintaining consistency in the summer is challenging.
• 😀 Cross-linguistic benefits: Languages from the same family (e.g., Latin or Germanic) share similarities, which makes learning easier. This can be helpful when maintaining multiple languages.
• 😀 Side hustles are fun: Learn languages like Dutch, Swedish, or Finnish casually as hobbies or side projects, without pressure to reach advanced levels.
• 😀 Immersion matters: Use social media, podcasts, or books to immerse yourself in the languages you're learning, helping you maintain fluency.
• 😀 Regular reading in different languages: Read books in various languages to maintain advanced proficiency, and consider reading the same book in different languages for deeper learning.
• 😀 Diversify your learning materials: Incorporate news, podcasts, and even online courses in your target languages to keep them alive and useful in real-life contexts.
• 😀 Consistency over perfection: Maintain a flexible and organized study schedule that allows for occasional skips and adjustments, but still ensures regular language practice.

Q & A

How does the speaker categorize their languages for summer learning?

The speaker categorizes their languages into two main categories: 'languages they maintain' and 'languages they actively study.' Languages like French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian fall under maintenance, while German, Dutch, Swedish, and Finnish are actively studied.

Why does the speaker emphasize not comparing language learning progress?

The speaker stresses that language learning is a gradual process that develops over time. They want viewers to avoid feeling pressured or inadequate when comparing themselves to someone managing multiple languages, as their current proficiency is the result of years of effort and learning.

What is the significance of the speaker not preparing for any upcoming language exams?

By not preparing for exams, the speaker feels less pressure and more freedom in their language learning journey. This change has allowed them to adopt a more relaxed approach, living in the languages rather than constantly preparing for exams.

How does the speaker suggest managing multiple languages for those struggling with time management?

The speaker recommends classifying languages into low and high-maintenance categories. This helps prioritize and allocate time more efficiently, ensuring that learners can manage their schedule without feeling overwhelmed.

What tool does the speaker recommend for organizing language study schedules?

The speaker uses an online calendar to organize their study schedule. They also recommend creating recurring tasks and time-blocking study sessions to stay on track. This helps with focus and time management.

What is the purpose of the speaker using Lingoda Flex for German?

Lingoda Flex provides the speaker with a flexible learning schedule. It allowed them to take language classes at their own pace without the pressure of fixed schedules, which was particularly useful during the summer when consistency can be harder to maintain.

How does the speaker maintain their high-level proficiency in languages like French, Italian, and Russian?

The speaker maintains proficiency by reading books in these languages, listening to media content like podcasts and radio, and engaging in activities like discussions with friends. These help preserve their C1 and C2 levels by keeping the languages active and in use.

How does the speaker differentiate between their approach to learning German and other languages like Dutch or Swedish?

For German, the speaker actively studies and aims for C2 proficiency, using textbooks and structured study. In contrast, Dutch and Swedish are treated more casually as hobbies, with less rigorous study routines.

What does the speaker mean by 'side hustles' in language learning?

The speaker refers to languages like Dutch, Swedish, and Finnish as their 'side hustles.' These languages are studied more casually and without the same level of seriousness or long-term goals as their main languages.

How does the speaker handle the challenge of keeping multiple languages active without losing proficiency?

The speaker balances this by using sophisticated techniques like reading books in multiple languages, taking online courses, listening to podcasts, and engaging in discussions with native speakers. This helps maintain advanced proficiency across several languages.