From: Alexander Goussas Date: Sat, 30 May 2026 16:02:31 +0000 (-0500) Subject: feat: add post on how to learn a language X-Git-Url: http://git.frustrated-labs.net/?a=commitdiff_plain;h=8ffc11f277515a3ceec57bbdb6f4ebbf46a03ef5;p=frustrated-functor.dev.git feat: add post on how to learn a language --- diff --git a/assets/elephant-in-the-room.jpg b/assets/elephant-in-the-room.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..af458b3 Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/elephant-in-the-room.jpg differ diff --git a/assets/styles.css b/assets/styles.css index 6b7869f..b938a87 100644 --- a/assets/styles.css +++ b/assets/styles.css @@ -37,6 +37,10 @@ nav { ul { list-style: none; display: flex; + + a { + color: black; + } } } @@ -113,6 +117,28 @@ nav { } } +.post { + img { + max-height: 480px; + text-align: center; + display: block; + margin: auto; + margin-bottom: 10px; + } + + figcaption { + text-align: center; + font-size: 0.9rem; + font-style: italic; + } +} + +#post-correction { + text-align: center; + font-style: italic; + padding: 1rem 0; +} + @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { body { width: 90%; @@ -122,3 +148,4 @@ nav { display: none; } } + diff --git a/content/2026-05-30-how-to-actually-learn-a-language-on-your-own.smd b/content/2026-05-30-how-to-actually-learn-a-language-on-your-own.smd new file mode 100644 index 0000000..00472d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/2026-05-30-how-to-actually-learn-a-language-on-your-own.smd @@ -0,0 +1,278 @@ +--- +.title = "How to 'Actually' Learn a Language on Your Own", +.date = @date("2026-05-30T00:00:00"), +.author = "Alexander Goussas", +.layout = "post.shtml", +.draft = false, +--- + +I speak 5 languages and I'd say 4 of them fluently, with a fifth one that I'm +working on right now. All of them I've learned on my own, almost for free. In +this post I'm going to show you how you can _actually_ do that as well, using my +experience with my latest language, German, as an example. + +For some context, I started learning German January 2026 and as of today, May +2026, I can understand almost everything that is being said on podcasts and +YouTube videos, I can some read books and communicate both in spoken and written +forms, albeit not yet 100% comfortably. I would say I am _competent_ in the +language, with perhaps a B1 level. This, after ~5 months of learning. My goal is +to have a strong B1 (voire B2) by the end of 2026. So, how have I been learning? + +## Vocabulary + +To understand or produce a language, you need to know its words. Therefore, your +goal the first few weeks is going to be acquiring as much vocabulary as +possible. For this purpose, I recommend using an SRS tool such as [Anki](https://apps.ankiweb.net/). + +There are many tutorials on Anki on the web, so I'm not going to explain how to +use it here, perhaps in another post. Nonetheless, I can point you, dear reader, +to a video I made some time ago showing how to create your own cards for it: +https://youtu.be/-AUE10GSBUo?si=1OQlY40DTXkEHIkh. + +If you are just getting started with Anki, I recommend searching for a [shared +deck](https://ankiweb.net/shared/decks) and use that one for your learning. You +can ask online after good decks for your target language. I recommend the query +"Anki deck for Language X Reddit." The last bit is so that you get actual +recommendations from human beings and not self-promoted or AI-generated +information. For French, for example, I can recommend [this deck](https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/893324022). + +A word of warning: Anki drills _are exhausting_. I myself have many a time had +difficulties keeping my streaks. Nonetheless, it _really_ works. Even if the +first few days all is pain and no gain, after a couple weeks you are going to +start noticing that you understand the language a more and more + +Talking about understanding, let's move on to how to train your comprehension +skills. + +## Comprehension skills + +There is a lot to be said about input, and [comprehensible input](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Input_hypothesis) +specifically, but I'm not going to bombard you with information here. Instead, +know that focusing on getting as much input as you can in your target language +is a battle-tested technique for improving both your ability to understand it +_and_ produce it. So, without further ado, let's see how you can get your input. + +### Listening + +With a rather reduced pool of vocabulary, any podcast or video that you might +listen to will sound like gibberish. Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance +that you do start listening from the very beginning. The process works as +follows: + +1. You learn new words through an SRS system like Anki. +2. You listen to the words as spoken by the natives and learn to recognize them in + speech. This, in turn, reinforces your memory. +3. You slowly start to widen your acoustic pool. +4. Repeat from step 1, with more complex material. + +For example, I might learn the word "melden" in German through Anki, but I have +a hard time recalling it or putting it to use. Then, while listening to a +podcast, the hosts use it in context. Now I have a real example of how a native +would use this word, and I can create an emotional connection because I am +invested in the topic of discussion. This process is _very_ effective. + +The best thing is, this type of listening does not need to be a separate, +dedicated part of your learning routine. You can listen to a podcast while +cooking, going for a walk or any other activity. + +Now, the specific material that you use will largely depend on your target +language. For German, I listen to the [Easy +German](https://www.easygerman.org/podcast) podcast and follow YouTube channels +in German as well, such as the Tagesschau or the DW news. The Easy Languages +folks have a podcast for [many +languages](https://www.easy-languages.org/podcasts), so you could start there. + +Many YouTubers dedicate their channels to slow spoken language as well. For +example, one channel I used to watch for German is +https://www.youtube.com/@eleoscorner. It worked great at the beginning, but now +it's way to slow for me. The same should happen to you. + +### Reading + +Ah reading. Some dread it, others love it. Be that as it may, if you are serious +about learning a language, you are going to have to read. Books and other +written media are, after all, a wonderful source of new words and expressions. + +As with listening, you are not going to be able to read much of anything barely +knowing any words in the language. Luckily, there are resources specifically +made for language learners that include transcriptions in your native tongue, or +English most likely, and word definitions. + +Examples of these are [Olly Richards' Short Stories +series](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=olly+richards&crid=2B5D2TAG6FAG8&sprefix=olly+richar%2Caps%2C191&ref=nb_sb_noss_2) +or, for German specifically, the [Dino lernt Deutsch +series](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074C9X8ZP?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1780148233&sr=8-1). +These are by two different authors, but I found both to be good resources for +beginners learning a language. The stories are engaging enough not to get bored +and to actually want to know what happens next, and the language is specially +tuned for the reader's level and to include useful native expressions. The +former has short stories in a bunch of languages, so I recommend checking that +one out. + +Once you have acquired enough vocabulary, you can move on to reading stuff +that is more interesting to you. For example, when learning French, I started +reading Camus' works because Camus is famous for using a direct prose and simple +vocabulary. I've heard the same is true for Kafka in German, but haven't yet +tried reading him. + +While reading, I recommend a feedback loop similar to when listening. Mark any +words that you do not recognize and create Anki cards for them. This step is +optional. Through repeated exposition to the same word in context you will end +up learning it anyway. Using SRS only speeds up this process significantly. + +In terms of tools, if you can afford it, I would recommend using one such as +[LingQ](https://www.lingq.com/en/). LingQ tracks your reading statistics and allows +you to create "lingqs" from words that you do not know. This means that you can +use the tool to create a database of words that you want to learn. This database +can then be exported into Anki. What I particulary appreciated of LingQ was that the +words that you mark appear in a different color everywhere, so that you can +recognize them and pay special attention to them, which is a bit harder to do +when you are in the flow of reading and there are no special markers. + +I used LingQ for a time and was pretty happy with it, but for me the benefits +did not justify the price. After all, by reading on my Kindle I get access to +translations and dictionary definitions as well. So, the recommendation stands, +but I invite you to evaluate it and see if it's a good fit for yourself. + +## Production skills + +For the first few weeks, you don't need to produce the language to actually +learn it. Moreover, there are programs, such as the [Dreaming +Languages](https://www.dreaming.com/) one, that recommend not focusing on +production of the language for _months_. I kind of agree with that posture. + +For example, when learning French I did not product the language at all for at +least 8 months, and I still could communicate semi-comfortably when I started to +speak. + +Nonetheless, for German my approach has been another one, and I actually prefer +starting to produce from the start. It's just more fun as well. + +### Writing + +There are many ways in which you can practice writing. One of the simplest is +journaling. Perhaps you already keep a journal in your native language. You can +just switch to writing it in your target language instead! + +Otherwise, I have two specific resources to recommend. The first one is the +[WriteStreak subreddits](https://www.reddit.com/r/WriteStreakEN/). I have linked +here the one for English, but there is one for almost every language. The cool +thing is that native speakers will read your texts and suggest corrections. You +can also tag your posts as "Don't correct", but that would defeat the whole +purpose in my opinion. + +If you don't know what to write about, you can look for writing prompts on the +Internet, or you could use something like +[LangCorrect](https://langcorrect.com/), the second resource I recommend. This +is a site similar in spirit to the WriteStreak subreddits, you even have a +writing streak associated with your profile! On the other hand, LangCorrect is +more structured. You register yourself as native speaker of X language, and can +pick up to 2 learning languages in the free tier. There are pre-made prompts +that you can answer to if you don't know what to write about, which is what I +personally do. The "downside" of LangCorrect is that you have to correct other +people's text as well if you want to receive corrections, which I personally do +not mind, but I can understand why some people would not want to spend time +correcting texts. + +Whatever you decide to do in the end, I encourage you to try and get your texts +corrected by someone with mastery over the language. What I do is I try to +answer 1 prompt per day on LangCorrect. I've found this extremely valuable, +because many times I've been corrected and given useful tips on little nuances +of the language. + +As a final note on corrections, keep in mind that the people doing the +corrections are normal people like you and me, not linguists or literature +professors. That means it is possible that the corrections they suggest are +wrong or misleading. That's why you should use your common sense and what you +already know about the language when evaluating corrections. + +### Speaking + +I don't know what your goal with language learning is, but for many people it is +to talk with other speakers of the language. In my experience, other than for +fun, people learn a language for one of two reasons: either they are moving to a +new country or they need it for a job. In both cases, it's speaking the most +important skill to develop. + +Now, as I said before, by solely focusing on input for the first few months, you +should naturally start to develop your speaking competence as well. What I mean +to say is that, once you understand enough of the language, you _will_ be able +to speak it as well. It's just not possible not to. + +Nonetheless, what will also happen is that you will stutter, search for words +and lack confidence while speaking. And this is precisely what we want to tackle +when practicing speaking. And this is also precisely why speaking _must_ be +practiced with another human being, not with an AI tool. + +In terms of free resources, you could use [Tandem](https://tandem.net/) to look +for a speaking partner. That's never worked for me though. What has worked for +me is looking for speaking partners on Reddit. There are many language learning +and language exchange subreddits where you can go and explain your situation +and explain what are you looking for in a speaking partner. + +For instance, I met a person from Russia with whom I used to practice French and +another one from China. I also met a person from Egypt with whom I was +practicing German up until shortly. It might take some time, but I honestly +think Reddit is a good place to look for language partners. + +You might try and look for someone to practice with in your town or city, but in +my case I've not been able to find anyone that way. If you have any tips for +that, then I'm all ears. + +Moving on to paid options, I can wholeheartedly recommend +[italki](https://www.italki.com/). italki is a platform where you can look for a +tutor to practice speaking with. Usually you just go in a call with someone and +speak about whatever. Some tutors may have more structured approaches. Price are +quite cheap, ranging from 5 USD per hour for the cheapest community tutors, to +50 USD per hours for professional tutors. I've only had good experiences there. +One thing to note is that cheap tutors do not equate low quality. They are +just trying to compete in a saturated market, so I would encourage you to give +them an opportunity. + +So, how often should you practice speaking? Again, that would depend on what +your goals are, but ideally, every day. If you are using a paid service, then it +depends on your budget. Usually I take one conversation session per week. If you +have an upcoming exam in a few weeks or months, then I think investing more +with a tutor is worth it. There are tutors specialized in tests such as the +IELTS that can help you running simulations, for example. + +For me speaking is not a priority since I learn mainly in order to be able to +read works in their original language. + +## Grammar + +![Adressing the elephant in the room](/elephant-in-the-room.jpg) + +Different languages have more or less complicated languages, and perceived +difficulty also differs from learner to learner. For example, German grammar is +way easier for me than French grammar. Yes, German has cases, but they make +sense! In French, on the other hand, there are a lot of corner cases and weird +stuff that you just have to memorize, and I mean _a lot_ of them. Also, as a +native Spanish speaker, for the longest time I could not get my head around the +partitive article. + +Anyway, all that is to say, grammar is not necessarily hard in and of itself. So +there is no reason for you to fear it. Quite the contrary, knowing your +language's grammar allows you to bend it to your will and speak with confidence +knowing that what you are saying is sound according to the rules of the +language. + +It _is_ possible to speak correctly without knowing grammar rules. It's what +most native speakers do in their own language after all. So you don't _have_ to +learn grammar, but I still recommend it nonetheless. + +Besides, at least for me, learning grammar is fun. Each time I learn how to use +a new construct or a new rule, I feel like I'm unlocking a new ability in an +RPG. It gives me new powers in the language. + +Moreover, studying grammar counts as input, and, as you know, the more input you +get, the better. + +So, I encourage you to go ahead and get your hands on a grammar book and +incorporate that into your routine. At the moment, I study 30 minutes of German +grammar and 30 minutes of French grammar per day. Small steps every day is what +eventually gets you to where you want to go. + +Remember my friend, language learning is a marathon, not a race. + +Happy learning :) diff --git a/layouts/post.shtml b/layouts/post.shtml index 74329a5..1b335d9 100644 --- a/layouts/post.shtml +++ b/layouts/post.shtml @@ -1,9 +1,28 @@ + + + + +

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+ + Found a mistake? Want to improve this text? Want to thank me for bringing + light to your day? Want to insult me and tell me how my subjective opinion + is objectively wrong? + +
+ + Feel free to send me an email at goussasalexander@gmail.com. + +
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