OMFG I just typed this whole thing and then accidently deleted it. Lol. Well, here’s to starting over!
Hi! I wanted to do this because I understand how hard it can be to learn anything on your own, and hopefully I can help.
Originally posted by apamexico
‣ Assess what type of learner you are. Do you memorize things easily, or does it take you more time? Do you prefer seeing things written out, or visually? Everyone doesn’t learn the same way, and that’s okay (that rhymed)!
» If you want a name to the type of learner you are, here’s a quiz (it also gives tips depending on what type of learner you are) !
‣ Try to semi-immerse yourself in the culture.
» What I mean by this is just to expose yourself to the culture. It’s easy to learn Spanish without learning any culture, but without it, you miss important things! Also, it’s cool to learn about another culture. But do this in a fun way!
✍ For example, listen to music & radio, watch TV & movies [or dramas/soap operas/novelas (YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT)], go to restaurants, ask friends
» I have a hard time with this myself, because I am very ambitious. Remember to be realistic. If you have 3+ of homework each night, maybe you can’t study every day, and that is A-okay!
» how to make one: here, here, and a template
‣ Have a unique way to motivate yourself. I saw this in another master post and thought it was so great. It suggested you reward yourself when you study, for example, watching a favorite show afterwords or making yourself a smoothie.
And finally, breathe, you got this!
‣ Learn like a child with alphabet songs! These really help me. I like songs and visual things in general tbh…
» Songs in: Spanish, English, Korean, Japanese, French, ASL, Russian and more!
‣ Find fun ways to remember the sounds
» For example, in Korean the ㅎ makes an h sound, and a video I watched told me to remember it as a man with a hat on his head
‣ And always write down everything!
I am constantly trying to rush the process. But, as my great piano coach says, “The process has to be as important as the product.” So before going to the fun stuff, I recommend knowing:
» a number song in Korean, 6 other languages
‣ essential phrases : how to introduce yourself, how to say how old you are, how to ask for help, ‘thank you’, ‘please’, etc…
‣ how to say what time it is
» this really depends on the language. I’m actively learning Spanish and Korean and in those two this is important.
✍ ex. It’d be kinda weird to call my two year old cousin ‘usted’.
And finalllyyyyyyy…. the fun stuff!!! Since you’re not learning this in a formal classroom setting, you can really do whatever you like.
» Start small: learn one bit of grammar every other day, or whenever feels best, and put it into practice
» Stick to one good source: I just say this because hopping around sources can be really confusing, and not every source teaches same way
» You don’t have to spend loads of money!! When I first wanted to learn a language, I thought Rosetta Stone would be my only option (lol). But there are so so so so so many options, ones that are free!!
All but BBC Languages are available as apps.
✍ Mondly: like Duolingo, but more languages
✍ HelloTalk: Talk to native speakers! I’m doing it right now! I really love this.
» Pick 3 (or more) words to learn a day. My NemoSpanish and NemoKorean apps introduce me to 3 per day.
» Label things in your living space (if you’re allowed to)
» If you don’t know it, don’t ignore it, learn it!
» Find cool ways to remember words
» Write every word you learn down.
» reward yourself; watch + listen to things; be patient, it’s okay to make mistakes; join/make study groups
I hope this was helpful! Please message me if you have something you think I should add. And thanks for reading!! <3