TL;DR

You only need these two tools to learn a language

  1. iTalki 1:1 sessions
    • 30min sessions, 3x per week, where YOU do most of the speaking
  2. Duolingo
    • On days where you don’t have iTalki sessions; use as tailored “homework”

THAT’S IT! Keep it simple so that consistency is the only factor you need to actually speak like a native.

My Personal Experience

I have wasted too much time passively learning languages, when in reality, SPEAKING should be the primary goal.

Why my method works

  1. Prioritizing Speaking
    • If you’re leaning a new language for speaking, then SPEAKING (not grammar work, not watching movies, etc) is what you need to spend most of your time doing
    • Just like how athletes have muscle memory to perform an activity well, YOUR MOUTH has it’s own muscle memory on WHAT SOUNDS RIGHT
      • When you speak a language, you should not be thinking of conjugating verbs nor constructing phrases–fuck all that noise
  2. Robustness
    • It’s so simple, speaking and some casual duolingo, that it eliminates all other distractions and leaves CONSISTENCY as the only important factor to focus on
    • If you forget your lessons, or want to take a break, you can EASILY pick up using your same basic, simple technique
  3. Maximize Portability
    • This method works for ALL learning methods
    • When you finish one language, you can pick up another using this same method–WITHOUT needed to remember complex learning methods
  4. Attention
    • If you pay ahead of time for 3 iTalki session for the approaching week, you’ll do your best to show up and not waste YOUR MONEY

What NOT to do

  1. Passively watching TV shows, podcasts, movies, etc
    • You may improve your listening skills, but you won’t be able to speak
    • Been there, done that, would not recommend
  2. Grammar work
    • FUCK THAT!
    • Use your mouth’s muscle memory–and embrace minor failures as you learn for the first time
    • Grammar is a waste of time if your goal is to SPEAK
  3. Traveling Abroad to Learn
    • I know I will get some hate for this, but I don’t care
    • You can either spend $20/wk on iTalki sessions, or you can spend several thousand dollars TO ACHIEVE THE SAME GOAL
    • save the trips for when really know your stuff and feel confident for a new challenge