Learn a Language FAST: Self-Study Guide & Expert Tips (7 Languages)

Establishing a Self-Study System for Language Learning

This article outlines a system for self-studying a foreign language or improving your English. It emphasizes the importance of structure, habits, and mentality, going beyond simply enrolling in a class or downloading an app.

Three Key Aspects of Language Learning

To achieve fluency in a foreign language, consider these three crucial aspects from the beginning:

1. Establish a Learning System: Develop a structured approach to acquiring knowledge.
2. Cultivate Learning Habits: Make language study a consistent part of your routine.
3. Manage Mentality: Maintain motivation and overcome challenges.

Establishing a Learning System: Three Key Points

Here's how to establish a system that works for you:

1. Effectively Search and Filter Learning Materials: Find resources that suit your learning style and level.
2. Preparation Tools: Quality Over Quantity: Focus on essential tools, rather than accumulating unnecessary ones.
3. Set a Realistic and Feasible Learning Plan: Create a schedule that you can realistically stick to.

1. Searching and Filtering Learning Materials

When starting a language, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Where do you begin? The key is to find a core study material that accounts for over 50% of your daily study plan. This could be:

• A set of online courses

• A book

• An app

This core material should have:

• Original audio and video for listening practice.

• A step-by-step word list to build your vocabulary.

• Clear explanations of grammar points.

For beginners who want to try out a language, multilingual learning apps like Duolingo or Busuu can be helpful for learning the basics. For more in-depth study, search for online courses or teaching materials. Take the time to compare different resources to find something you genuinely like.

There are many apps available, but don't be greedy for more. Choose one set of materials and stick with it. Intensive listening and intensive reading are vital parts of core material usage.

Intensive Listening and Reading: This involves:

• Figuring out every new word and reading it aloud.

• Covering the text and listening repeatedly until you hear every word.

Aim to go through a text multiple times:

1. Warm-up by listening to the text.
2. Check words and learn grammar points.
3. Repeat sentence by sentence.
4. Follow along at normal speed.
5. Listen to it at normal speed.

2. Preparation Tools: Quality Over Quantity

Allocate roughly 25% of your learning time to memorizing words. It's recommended to learn words in context, such as from dialogues or texts in your core learning materials. Avoid memorizing large numbers of isolated words, as this can lead to burnout.

The number of words you should study per day depends on your learning goals, time, and energy. Prioritize quality over quantity and consistency. Even memorizing just 5 words a day is effective if you practice regularly.

The remaining 25% should be dedicated to listening and speaking training, an area often neglected in traditional education. Even as a beginner, don't wait to practice speaking. Start with pronunciation lessons and focus on a few sounds each day, practicing from single sounds to words and sentences.

For languages with independent spelling systems (like Japanese or Arabic), study spelling and pronunciation before formally studying the text. After correcting pronunciation, listen to podcasts or watch videos for extensive listening. Remember to focus your energy on intensive listening through core materials.

Extensive Listening: This is not just background noise. It involves actively listening to the voice and intonation, catching words, and repeating and imitating. Aim to cultivate your sense of language with specific series of materials that have a specific series, such as an elementary French podcast.

When you have time, watch videos, listen to songs, and watch movies with subtitles to cultivate your interest. Be careful not to use these as your main resource, as they are not systematic for effective teaching.

You only need a word reciting app, a good dictionary, a pad, or notebooks and pens. Don't hoard tools. Select tools that help deepen your memory of the topics at hand.

3. Setting a Realistic and Feasible Learning Plan

Your learning plan is like a construction plan. It requires:

• Long-term goals

• Medium-term goals

• Short-term goals

Goals need to be specific and measurable. For example, instead of "achieve A2 in 6 months," aim to "complete a set of A2 online courses with 120 lessons, digesting the corresponding vocabulary and grammar."

Break down your long-term goals into medium-term and short-term goals. Adjust your plan if you find that your time and energy are not sufficient to complete the short-term tasks.

The point of language learning is not about how quickly you can reach a certain level. Everyone's situation is different, so find your own rhythm.

Cultivating Learning Habits

Many people start learning with enthusiasm but lose momentum after a few weeks. The key is to develop consistent learning habits, starting small.

• Don't draw big cakes for yourself: Develop habits step by step.

If you can study for just 15 minutes to 1 hour a day, that is enough if you focus on completing daily tasks.

You need to achieve an elastic and tight combination. Set a fixed time and place to focus on your core learning materials. Put away distractions and concentrate on studying. Use "pocket time" (e.g., commuting, walking) to memorize vocabulary and do extensive listening.

It's important not to be greedy or burn yourself out. Aim to wake up feeling happy about studying for just half an hour. This routine is suitable for those who work. If you are a student or have flexible time, you can set two large blocks of concentrated study time.

Managing Mentality

Learning a language is a marathon, not a sprint. You will encounter bottlenecks. Here are some ways to stay motivated:

1. Communicate with other learners: Share experiences and support each other.
2. Set realistic and feasible goals: Adjust them as needed.
3. Don't be afraid of making mistakes: Mistakes are part of the learning process.

Prepare mentally for challenges. When you encounter problems, don't complain or give up, but seek solutions.