three elements of the ideal language learning system

Ok, so I am going through my drafts. I don't know where I was going with this, or where I got the inspiration, or if this is even written by me. But I'm publishing it anyway, maybe there's some info someone can use.

The ideal system — and progression — of learning languages is based on three elements in this order…

1. Effectiveness (Priority)
2. Adherence (Interest)
3. Efficiency (Process)

Effectiveness, adherence, and efficiency refer to the “what”, “why”, and “how” of learning a target language, respectively.
In simple terms,
you first decide what to learn, based on usage frequency (priority);
you then filter materials based on your likelihood of continued study and review, or adherence (interest);
lastly, you determine how to learn the material most efficiently (process).

Read what you read in your native language. Learn the vocabulary that's necessary for your every day life. That is CREATE YOUR OWN FREQUENCE LISTS.
Use the target language as a vehicle for learning more about a subject, skill, or cultural area of interest.

The most pertinent questions will be “What will you spend your time doing with this language?”
The answer is the same as “What do I currently spend my time doing?”

How to learn a language in 3 months and start speaking it on the first day

1) Start speaking it on the first day :_D

No, seriously. That's basically it. If you want to speak a language from day one, you need to SPEAK IT FROM DAY ONE.

2) learn the most commonly used words IN CONTEXT

3) Learn cognates (Cognates are “true friends” of words you recognize from your native language that mean the same thing in another language.)

4) Find the people speaking the language where you are

5) use the internet to speak with native speakers! There really are no excuses, if you want to learn to speak a foreign language. None what so ever.
- first, learn some common phrases and "Could you repeat that, please?" and "I'm sorry I don't understand" and "do you speak English?" :-D

6) take advantage of the free resources

7) cut some slack - you can learn a language and the more your know, in general, and the more languages you know, the easier it gets

8) use mnemonics

9) make mistakes

10) Create SMART goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
- specific - I want to be able to read a book in --- language and have some easy conversations
- measurable - number of words, pages of a book, how much time does it take you to read ---pages, how comfortable you feel doing things in language, like *ordering food *shopping *finding your way in a foreign city *discussing weather... You could also set a goal of passing a language test or having a 15 minutes discussion with a native speaker
- attainable and relevant; choose a goal that is realistic and that matters; so you don't need to care about these
- time-bound - set the time limit. I am going to be able to read a children's book without a dictionary in 3 months

11) Use the language every day
- speak, use the language every day. Prepare yourself for the chatting events by finding out what you want to say and a couple of ways to say it, specific vocabulary, translations, practice saying it, out loud, loudly and clearly. The more times a sentence rolls over your lips, the easier it gets for you to actually say it when you get the chance.
- read. Read anything and everything.
- listen, actively, listen to radio, watch (and listen) to the television, watch (and listen) to movies, try to transcribe music videos and movies
- write.

12) practice the pronunciation
- "repeat after me", with a recording AND with a native speaker who can and will correct you
- if you find videos explaining how to create the sounds, that's great
- mind not only the phonemes, but also the intonation, rhythm, volume, sound, way of speaking. (For example, you can listen to a Korean woman speaking English and Korean. She doesn't speak those two languages the same way. Korean is higher, whiny, more nasal language. Sorry, Koreans.)
- learn the non-verbal language as well... they say 3/4 of language is body language, facial expressions, mannerism. So analyse and imitate someone native of your gender and age. (When speaking their native language, mind you!)