8 tips on how to learn a language

Earlier this year, a fabulous human being, and, luckily, a friend of mine (Smilyan Pavlov) asked me: “Hey, you that you know a thing or two about languages… Why don’t you write about it?”

So, here it is. I’ll try to keep it concise and to-the-point. Even if it helps only one person, it is worth the effort :) hope you Enjoy!

1) No shortcuts

We must say this from the very beginning: there are no shortcuts whatsoever. “Oh, I want to learn just the basics, just speaking a bit”.. “Oh, what is the best way to learn language X/Y/Z? I want to do it quickly”. No, there is no “quicker” way, or other ways to “cheat” the learning. Language learning is a timely and intensive activity. You can “cheat”, of course, but your knowledge would likely be unstable, unsustainable, scattered and, frankly, useless as such. Enter the language learning process with the clear thought that it cannot be done “quickly”.  

2) Patience

You will not be able to understand everything from the beginning. Better come to terms with this confronting reality sooner than later. Sometimes (very own experience) you will be faced with wanting to be able to understand what you hear/read almost immediately. And it would simply make no sense in your head. Don’t despair – it is only natural. It is a slippery slope of disappointment to be constantly missing somethings, thinking: “ah, I will never learn”.. or: “I’m crap, that’s not for me”. Just let it go. Understanding one word more than the previous time, is already a progress. You will not just wake up being “better”. It will come slowly, with its time.

3) Learning a language is akin to building a house

As in: start with the foundations first. What do I mean with “foundation”? Well, think of the very basics of a language. “I am, you are, he is”, or “I go, you go, she goes”, “I do, you do” etc. In essence, the present simple tense of the most crucial verbs you need to express the absolute basics of daily processes. Once you have that, you move to the next level, perhaps the first floor of the house: linking words, then perhaps past tense, future tense, etc, so as to enable the speech/language ‘production’ process (writing).

4) Writing and producing

Producing a written script of any language is the most effort-some, thorough and comprehensive work in any language. To write, i.e. to create a text, to “produce” written work, it requires the highest concentration, consideration, thought and depth. Your first writing ever will be crap. The second one probably too. The third though would likely be slightly better. And so on. Practice writings, even if the most small and “non-important” ones. They will eventually add-up and make for a better writer. It takes time, dedication and steadfastness. No other way.

5) Persistence

Just don’t give up. Of course, we are human and it is tiring, disappointing, could even be annoying. But those feelings will pass with the time and will be substituted with, little by little, satisfaction and gratitude to one self. Don’t rip yourself off the chance to reap the fruits of your dedication!

6) Do it in a group/lesson setting

I find being member of groups very useful and functional. Of course, we all have different levels, but it allows you time to contemplate and re-hear something you perhaps didn’t know, or learn from your peers. Plus, having a set dates and times gives discipline.

7) Make it fun!

8) Just do it! 

Thanks for your time and I hope it was useful!

What is your experience with learning a language? Feel free to share in the panel below :)