Language Muse: February 2014

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Ultimate Guide to Language Learning: From Scratch to Polyglot by Nate from Fluentli

I think this is good information, but Fluentli seems to have disappeared from the internet :-(

So, reposting.

Language learning is a journey.

And at different points in that journey, you will have different requirements.

The aim of this guide is to be a living resource that you can refer to at any point in your language learning journey.

From how to get started all the way to what it takes to learn multiple languages, all of the links below have been carefully organized so you can quickly find the help or information you need now.

Introduction: Find Your Reason for Learning a Language

Learning a foreign language is tricky. You start out with so much motivation in the beginning, but as soon as that fades you put your studies on the back burner. It’s best to have a solid, practical reason in mind for why you are learning a language. Whether you’re a new learner or have been studying for a while, take some time to choose why you’re doing this — and put it on your wall.

    10 Superb Psychological Advantages of Learning Another Language | PSYBlog
    Why It Makes More Sense Than You Know to Learn a Second Language | Huffington Post
    5 Reasons Why you Should Learn a New Language | Omniglot
    Why Foreign Language Learning Is Still Important | Go Overseas
    Why learn a foreign language? Benefits of bilingualism | The Telegraph

Chapter 1: Get Started on the Right Foot

For many beginners, they simply just don’t know where to start. Especially if you’re set on self-study, take some time to listen to the advice of those who have gone before you.

Avoid common mistakes, and detrimental thoughts:

    4 Things to Stop Believing if You Actually Want to Learn a Language | Fluentli Blog
    10 Most Common Mistakes | Lingoholic
    Five most common mistakes | The Telegraph

Understanding Motivation

    Take Advantage of "Motivation Wave" To Build Better Habits | Lifehacker
    Redefining your motivation | Fluent in 3 Months
    How to Successfully Learn a New Language This Year | Lifehacker

Choosing the right language:

    What language should I learn? | Fluent in 3 Months
    4 easy foreign languages you never thought of learning (and why you should) | Matador Network
    How many words do I need to know? The 95/5 rule in language learning | Lingoholic

Other tips:

    22 Tips For Learning A Foreign Language | Mark Manson
    The Biggest Language-Learning Lesson I’ve Learned | The Smart Language Learner

Chapter 2: First, Learn How to Change Your Behavior

People usually don’t think about this, but learning a language is a complete lifestyle change. And just like choosing to exercise more and lose weight, if you’re not knowledgeable in the basics of your own behavioral psychology, you’re going to struggle with consistency. The below links will give you a great start.

    How Habits Work | Charles Duhigg
    18 Tricks to Make New Habits Stick | Lifehack
    Sticking to a Habit: The Definitive Guide | Zen Habits
    How to Build Good Habits | Sparring Mind
    Systems | Scott Adams Blog

Chapter 3: Learn About and Improve Your Memory

Memory is a huge part of language learning. People who think they’re bad at learning a language probably also believe they have a bad memory. While they might not have the best memory, it may just be that they’ve never worked on certain techniques to help them remember things better.

    Introduction to Memory Techniques | Mind Tools
    Top Ten Memory Hacks | Lifehacker
    Total Recall | The Guardian
    TED Weekends wonders: What’s the key to memory? | TED Blog

Chapter 4: The Learning Process

One of the reasons why beginners often have no idea where to start with learning a language is because everyone who has done it before as discovered the “right” method to do it. Well, that leaves us with a lot of options, and humans are really terrible decision makers. This section will hopefully give you an overview of the best of the best, and will encourage you to try things until you find the secret combo for you.

Chapter 5: How to Push Through a Plateau

When learning any new skill, you reach a point where you make progress much slower than you did. The periods of plateau can feel like you’re stranded in a desert wasteland at times, but those that push through them will discover yet another green pasture of progress on the other side.

    Plateau Busting: How to Take Your Life to the Next Level | The Art of Manliness
    5 Reasons You’re Not Improving as Fast as You Want | L2 Mastery
    3 Ways to Think About Winning | Josh Kaufman (Review your goals, and declare victory on what you have accomplished so far)
    Tenacity is Not the Same as Persistence | Seth Godin (If the same thing isn’t working, time to try something else given the new data and experiences you have)
    17 Killer Strategies for Never Giving Up | Impossible (The long plateaus where you seem not to be making progress are perfect places to quit, but don’t do it)

Chapter 6: Do You Want to Go the Way of the Polyglot?

Who doesn’t want to be a bad-ass, CIA-like, mother… polyglot? Well, read below and find out for yourself if it’s the direction you’d like to turn your language learning efforts.

    Is Wanting to be a Polyglot a Misdirected Dream? | David Mansaray
    How to Become a Polyglot | Fluent in 3 Months
    The Secret of Language Superlearners | Time
    Adventures with an Extreme Polyglot | The Daily Beast (Goes with the video below)