Learning a language on your own is not as difficult as you might think. The opportunities to study and learn today are 10 times greater than...
Learning a language on your own is not as difficult as you might think. The opportunities to study and learn today are 10 times greater than just 10 years ago, and compared to previous generations, well, there is simply no comparison. The internet possibilities are amazing. But how far can it really go and how long will it take?
If a book says ‘French in 3 months’, are they talking about being fluent? Barely. What you will get in those 3 months, if you follow your lesson plan to a T, it is a good Foundation in the language, but it’s certainly not fluent. No accredited language learning method I’ve seen affirms something like this. No live language, Pimsleur or Rosetta Stone. Non-transparent language, teach yourself or Michel Thomas. FSI is so complete that it is likely to get closer, but neither do they claim fluidity as an objective.
The real short-term objective of any language learning method is survival vocabulary, conversational skills or a basis for further study. Even with a modest program, any of these goals can be achieved in a few months of study. However, for the average person, a realistic achievement is a good base in the language in 3 months. Functionality in the language in 6 months. Actual fluency is probably a few years away.
This is possible if you are using your chosen method every day, at least a little, and complement it with the use of real life and real life vocabulary. Then move on to a more advanced level course. Using the language every day is the key. You can expect to be understood in a short period of time, but the ease of
Communication or language proficiency will take time. A reasonable accent can be achieved in a few months, but it will not be confused with a native for many years!
Set goals. Make short, medium and long term goals. Reward yourself when you hit them, but don’t get depressed when you don’t. Occasionally reevaluate if your goals are reasonable and adjust them if necessary.
Do not set a goal like “I want to complete this Spanish course”. Be specific. “1 chapter per week” is better. Keep your eyes on the horizon: the most important goal of completing the book, but focus on what you need to learn at this time.
Learn from many sources. Internet is a wonderful place. There are more sources of free information and learning on the Internet than I imagined a few years ago. Look for learning materials that you can use to help you learn. Websites, tutorials, podcasts and even videos are available for many different languages. Use them to complement your language method to help you achieve your goals.
Put some effort every day. Work on it every day, if only a little. This is critical, especially when you are working on your own.
You can achieve a very solid foundation in almost any language you study on your own. And not only a few words or phrases, but a true capacity for conversation and understanding. You need work, daily practice, patience, persistence and the ability to laugh at yourself when you make mistakes. A modest and economical language method complemented by many free materials can give you all the tools you need to achieve even some very ambitious language learning goals, but it all comes down to getting the job done!
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