Keep it super simple
Next Instalment of Guiding You to Fluency
Introduction
I’d like to continue my Guiding You to Fluency series today. Here are the previous posts, in order, in case you haven’t read them all:
This is not the final instalment of Guiding You to Fluency, but this might be the most important article in the series thus far. In order to reach fluency in another language (whatever “fluency” means for you), the equation is simple. If you just follow these steps, you will become fluent. Period.
Steps to Fluency
Listen and read daily. Find audio/visual content and written materials at your level. Consume them. Look up words you don’t know in an online translator or dictionary.
Converse bi-monthly. Talk to a native speaker at least 2x per month, 1-1.
Sprinkle in grammar. The easiest way is to follow a structured grammar-based resource (e.g., recorded online course, textbook series, weekly group class)
That’s it.
Listen and read daily. Converse with a native speaker 1-1 every other week. Use a structured grammar resource. These three steps lead to fluency.
How long does it take?
With the exact approach above, use the guideline of around 275 hours per level:
275 hours from zero to beginner
275 hours from beginner to intermediate
275 hours from intermediate to advanced
275 hours from advanced to very advanced
If you don’t like math, just spend around 45 minutes a day on your language studies. You’ll level up approximately every year. 1 year to beginner, 2 years to intermediate, 3 years to advanced, 4 years to very advanced. This is obviously a rough guideline. Some people will learn faster and others slower.
Why people don’t use this framework
I cannot stress that, for most people, the 3 steps to reaching your fluency goals are easy. It’s a matter of:
Listening and reading daily
Conversing with a native speaker 1-1 at least every other week
Using a structured grammar resource
So why don’t people do this? Here are the common reasons I have seen. I have so much more to say on each bullet point below, but we’ll keep things simple for today.
They don’t know these steps. That’s likely the most common reason.
They don’t know what resources to use. If you want help with this, just email me. I’ll help you figure that out.
It doesn’t feel like studying. This is particularly the case for a daily listening and reading routine. Just watching videos or reading leisurely doesn’t feel like studying. They can’t comprehend how something so simple and not too effortful does in fact lead straight to fluency.
They think they need more speaking practice. Let me save you time: you don’t. You need way to do way more reading and/or listening. There are speaking-first methods to learn a language, but in general for most people a method that is based on listening and/or reading will be better.
They lack consistency. External accountability may help with this.
“Am I on the right track?” Unlike a, for instance, attending a group class or working your way through an app, the approach above will feel less structured. Therefore, you will wonder if you’re on the right track. In an app or group class there are units. You complete them and move forward. It feels great, but if fluency is the goal in most cases classes or apps will not lead you there efficiently.
Need a jumpstart?
Now you know what to do, so it’s time to get started. As a reminder, do the following for 45 minutes a day and you’ll level up every year:
Listen and read daily. Find audio/visual content and written materials at your level. Consume them. Look up words you don’t know in an online translator or dictionary.
Converse bi-monthly. Talk to a native speaker at least 2x per month, 1-1.
Sprinkle in grammar. The easiest way is to follow a structured grammar-based resource (e.g., recorded online course, textbook series, weekly group class)
If you need a jumpstart…
I am happy to provide that for free. I package jumpstarts differently depending on my mood. Right now, for example, one tutor on my team has a 2-week free Spanish or Russian listening jumpstart. She’ll help you find listening resources for your level and get you into a daily listening habit.
I personally for French, Spanish, Mandarin, or Gujarati am offering a 2-week intensive for free. We’ll have daily lessons focused on any area of the language you are struggling with the most (e.g., grammar, conversation, pronunciation, etc).
Want to sign up for a free 2-week jumpstart?
Fill out the Google Form below.
Please note that these 2-week jumpstarts are for people who are using it as a trial and are at least considering to work with a tutor on my team after the 2 weeks on a paid basis. However, as a way to balance the need to run a profitable business and my personal desire to simply be of service, if anyone wants a super short 2-lesson jumpstart for free, I’d be happy to provide just to help.
Thanks for reading!
Azren
Calgary Language Nerds owner
https://azrenthelanguagenerd.com