Note before you read this article: Everyone has their own take on effective ways to learn a language. Because of this, last summer I decided to try distilling fundamental truths about language learning that all, or at least most, language learning experts would agree on.
This is the sixth lesson. You can watch the video here, listen on Spotify here, or keep scrolling down to read a summary. You can see all 12 lessons by clicking here.
Feel free to contact me at https://azrenthelanguagenerd.com/contact if you have any questions about language learning or if you’d like to inquire about taking private/small-group lessons
Depending on the language you're learning, you've probably faced one of two problems.
Problem 1: You don't know what resources to choose because there are so many choices. In this case:
Don’t focus on finding the “perfect” resource. Do a few hours of research on the Internet about which resources exist and then pick one (or multiple) that appeal to you.
Next, identify whether the resources are working. Get a level assessment done every 3-6 months with an experienced instructor who uses a standardized assessment process. I offer this service (contact me if you’re interested), but you could also likely find someone to do this on italki.com
Another way to informally check your progress is to revisit old content that you used to struggle with. Go back to textbooks, podcasts, songs, or notes you used to find challenging. Ideally, wait 12 months to do this. If you notice that it’s not as hard as it used to be, you’ve clearly gotten better and your methods/resources are working.
Problem 2: There are very few resources for the language you’re learning. In this case:
Make the most of the resources that are available.
Be vigilant and keep an eye out for any hidden gems you didn’t know existed.
Spend time looking for resources by using the rule of 100. For example:
Try 100 different search queries on Google
Try 100 different search queries on YouTube
Try 100 different search queries on Amazon to see what kinds of books exist
Try 100 different search queries on Etsy. I was recently surprised at how many great resources there were on this site for Gujarati. I’d have never expected that.
Ask 100 other learners of your target language what resources they have come across.
Join 100 online groups or forums that are related to your target language. If there aren’t 100 groups/forums, join every single one you can find.
Contact 100 bookstores or libraries to see if they have or know of any resources for your target language.
Ask 100 native speakers to see if they’d be willing to teach you the language in a weekly private class.
If you have any questions/comments or if you’d like to inquire about taking private/semi-private lessons, contact me here.