An Effective Language Learning Process

An Effective Language Learning Process means learning languages better. Less wasted motion, and less wasted time, which means that I can learn languages faster, reaching higher levels in less time.

Over years working with languages, I tried a number of methods. Software like Anki, Memrise, and others like DuoLingo. (Anki being my favourite by far because it is fully customizeable with HTML, CSS, and LaTex). In addition to flashcards that I made myself.

The underlying takeaway is that learning a language is build on learning sentences. You learn vocabulary, grammar, conjugation, and the script — but all of this is built on sentences. Sentences, that you can practice speaking from day one.

The key to all of the systems above (Anki, DuoLingo, Memrise, and any other accross a wide range including physical flashcards) is finding a good, well-structured deck at the beginning. Well-chosen sentences from day one.

That is what makes a student successful: good material and a consistent student who works a little bit every day. All you need from the beginning is the best collection of sentences you can find, preferably with audio, and you can practice the language.

Once I began to understand what it means to learn a language, I began to realize what it

Choose Your Content

What I realized is early on is that material is the most important. After you have gotten some basics down, you need to choose what you want to learn, and learn it.

Knowing a language — and ultimately practicing a language — means to use the language. That is really the simplest definition. You have to be able to speak it (express what you are thinking, feeling, and want) in the language, and you have to be able to understanding (reading, watching, and listening).

Speaking is one form of practice. Though the other, which all language learners need to do basically every day, which, provided you are not living in the target country.

Flashcard Modules

In my experience using flashcards (and various flashcard-based programs) I found that they are incredibly effective. (I love making flashcards. I have sets of flashcards throughout this website. I prefer digital because it allows you to include audio.) However, I prefer to use them in a different way.

For me, flashcards are about learning something fully once. People generally don’t use flashcards in their native language, because we usually don’t need to. We do use them when learning something new.

When you first get into physics, anatomy, and history, flashcards are a great tool. We are literally learning new language here — new terms, definitions, and descriptions, which is essentially what learning anything is, from this perspective of pure knowledge. We use them until we get the information down, and with practice, it becomes intuitive. Then we don’t go back to them unless we need to.

This is how we should use flashcards to learn new languages — and an important principle in learning languages:

Learn with intention. In addition to just moving linearly through content of your choice (Naruto Shippuden, if you want to study Japanese, for example, Harry Potter) you can learn pieces with greater intention.

If you want to be able to talk about books in your new language, you at least need to learn about books in that culture — or politics, music, tech, anime, history, the weather, basic navigation and geography, food, ordering at a restaurant, et cetera.

You can do a lot of this work intensively, building specific modules of notes and flashcard decks on each of these topics. Gradually, over months, and years in the languages you really love (at which point they, like anything you learn in English, are a record of your learning that you don’t need all the time)., and learn them more intensively.

Passive and Active Language Study

The last principle, is that provided you find the Right Content (which you essentially translate and practice every day), Create and Learn Modules with intention, so long as you make sure to practice both Passive and Active Language Learning, with dedication you will be successfull.

It is essentially a certainty.

Passive Language Learning is simply consumption. Watching a tv show or movies in that language. Active Language Learning is speaking, writing, journaling, translation, and memorization.

A good potential daily Language Learning Habit to strive for could look something like the following (which can be done in an hour):

1. Journal In Your New Language (10m) — Starting a journal, and taking 10 minutes to update it with a couple sentences each day, is an excellent way to practice the language that can log your journey from day one.
2. Learn New Sentences By Working Through Your Material and Studying Flashcard Modules (30m) — This is the main work phase. Work on building a flashcard module, memorizing a module, or translating your favourite media. (This is Active Language Learning).
3. Enjoy Your Media — This is Passive Language Learning and involves the consumption of media. Watch an episode of a show, or listen to whatever made you want to learn the language in the first place.