Guaranteed To Reach Fluency: How To Learn A Language In 6 Months
Guaranteed To Reach Fluency: How To Learn A Language In 6 Months
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How Can I Become Fluent In 6 Months?
Is it really possible to learn a language in just six months? You might be surprised to hear that the answer is yes – if you follow the right methods.
You don't have to be a genius or spend years studying to learn a foreign language. In fact, you can actually learn a new language in as little as six months with the right approach.
In order to fluently speak a foreign language, some people believe that you have to live in a country where that language is spoken. However, this is not the only way.
It's no secret that learning a language can be challenging and time consuming.
You might feel like you're up against an impossible task, and that you'll never be able to speak the language fluently.
Most of us believe that it’s difficult, or even impossible to learn a new language as an adult. Learning a language can be a daunting task. It can be difficult to know where to start, and it often feels like there are so many things to remember.
A lot of people give up too – they think that learning a language is hard and takes a long time. But don't give up! Learning a language doesn't have to be difficult.
No matter the language you are trying to learn, whether it’s considered to be a hard language or an easy one, there are a number of steps that will help you reach proficiency rapidly.
With the right approach, and a bit of organization and planning, it is possible to learn a language in a relatively short amount of time.
RELATED: How Long Does It Take To Learn A Language? Shocking Truth!
It's often said that language learners need to expose themselves to their target language as much as possible in order to reach fluency. And while this is true, it's not always possible – or practical – for someone to do so. But there is a way to learn a language in just six months, and I'm going to share it with you.
In this post, I’ll share some of the best techniques for guaranteed fluency. I will show you some of the best ways to learn quickly & effectively so that you make the most progress in the shortest amount of time.
So whether you're gearing up for your next vacation or simply looking for a new challenge, follow these tips and you will be speaking your target language like a native speaker in no time! So without further ado, let's get started!
Can I Learn A Language In 6 Months?
Yes, it’s definitely possible to learn a language in 6 months, especially if you are diligent with your studies and make use of all the resources available to you. However, it’s important to be realistic about what you can achieve in such a short space of time.
You won't become fluent overnight, but if you follow these tips, you can make great progress in a relatively short period of time.
How Long Realistically Does It Take To Learn A Language?
The answer to this question is determined by a number of variables:
Your starting level (are you a complete beginner or do you already have some basic knowledge of the language?)
Your learning goals (do you want to be able to hold a conversation or are you aiming for native-level fluency?)
How often you study
The amount of time you can dedicate to studying (an hour a day or several hours a day?)
Your learning method (are you using an immersive approach or a more traditional method?)
That being said, most language experts agree that it takes around 600 hours of study to reach an intermediate level in a language, and around 1,200 hours to reach an advanced level, although this varies depending on the language itself.
Some languages, like Spanish or French, are considered 'easy' to learn, while others, like Arabic or Mandarin, are considered more difficult. So, if you want to learn a language from scratch in 6 months, you would need to study for around a minimum of 10 hours a week.
Of course, this is just a general guideline - some people may progress more quickly or more slowly depending on their individual learning style and abilities. And while it’s possible to reach an intermediate level in 6 months, it’s important to remember that becoming fluent in a language can take many years of practice.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced learner, it's important to be patient and consistent with your studies if you want to achieve fluency.
Will I Really Be Fluent In Another Language?
This is a popular question, and the answer is…maybe. It depends on how you define “fluent.” Fluency is often seen as the Holy Grail of language learning, but it's important to remember that there's no such thing as a 'perfect' level of fluency.
Everyone has their own definition of what it means to be fluent in a language, and for some people, this might mean being able to hold a basic conversation, while for others, it might mean being able to speak like a native speaker.
If your goal is to be able to hold simple conversations and understand basic conversations, then yes - you can definitely achieve this with enough hard work and dedication. For some people, being able to hold a conversation is enough.
However, if your goal is true fluency (being able to read and write the language proficiently and communicate without any problems), then it will likely take many years of practice.
The goal you set for yourself will determine how long it will take you to reach your target level of fluency. However, if you’re dedicated and consistent with your studies, it’s definitely possible to learn a language in six months.
That being said, if you want to speak at a conversational level in a language, you will need to reach an intermediate level, which as I mentioned before, takes around 600 hours of study.
So, if you're starting from scratch and you're studying for 10 hours a week, you can realistically expect to reach an intermediate level in around 6 months. You should also aim to be completely immersed in the language by spending time with native speakers and/or finding ways to surround yourself in your target language.
Of course, if you want to achieve native-level fluency, it's going to take a lot longer - often many years. But even if you don't reach this level, you can still derive a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from learning a new language.
RELATED: Debunking 21 Language Learning Myths: Why Learning A Language Isn’t Hard.
Some Languages Are More Difficult Than Others
There are over 7000 languages spoken in the world, and some are definitely more difficult to learn than others. This is often due to the fact that they have a different alphabet or grammar structure.
If you're looking to learn a language quickly, it's important to choose one that isn't too complex grammatically and doesn't have a huge range of vocabulary words and phrases.
Fortunately, there are also a number of languages that are relatively easy to learn for English speakers. This is because they all share a significant amount of vocabulary with English and have relatively simple grammar rules. So, if you're looking to learn a new language quickly, it's worth considering one of these easier options.
RELATED: The Top 11 Easiest Languages To Learn (Even For English Speakers).
If you're planning on learning a foreign language, it's important to do your research first and find out which one will be the easiest for you to learn.
RELATED: What Language Should I Learn? Take The Quiz To Find Out.
The best way to find out how difficult (or easy) a language is for you is to simply try learning it! Everyone learns differently, so what may be difficult for one person may be easy for another.
RELATED: The Top 25 Hardest Languages To Learn For English Speakers.
It really depends on the individual learner. No matter what language you choose, it's important to remember that the key to success is consistency and practice. The more time you spend studying, the faster you'll reach fluency.
What Does Fluency Mean To Me?
Having long conversations with native speakers
Sometimes can watch TV without subtitles
Connecting with people
I define conversational fluency as the ability to understand the great majority of what you hear, and being able to express the majority of what you want to say with relatively low effort.
You won’t be perfect yet, there will certainly be words you don’t understand and things that are difficult to say. However, for the most part, you are all set. If you were to come across a native speaker in the street, you’d be able to chat with them, have a laugh, impress them, connect with them on a deep level and bond.
You don’t have to be an orator or a poet to be able to communicate ideas. You don’t have to be at a near-native level. Conversationally speaking is enough in most cases.
The Three Stages
This method starts with the concept of there being three stages of learning any language. The three stages being: Input, Output, and Refinement. I consider it to be the most affordable, easy, fun and effective method out there.
Level 1 - Beginner Stage (Input)
Level 2 - Intermediate Stage (Output)
Level 3 - Advanced Stage (Refinement)
Level 0 - Preparation
Where Should I Start With Learning A Language?
Step 1: Identify your why
Step 2: Set yourself some S.M.A.R.T goals (Why Learning A Language Should Be Your #1 New Year’s Resolution)
Step 3: Find a method that works for you (4 Most Popular Language Learning Styles: What Type Of Language Learner Are You?)
Step 4: Create a study plan (The 7 Step Process To Creating A Useful Language Learning Plan)
Additional tips:
Start immersing yourself in the language immediately
Forget translating and think like a baby
Familiarize yourself with the language and focus on basic vocabulary
Be curious
Write down what you want to understand
Look up the grammar
Watch and listen to TV, movies, music, and podcasts
Practice regularly
Try to be consistent
Make mistakes (How Not To Learn A Foreign Language: 23 Mistakes In Language Learning)
Be easy on yourself
Be persistent
Have patience
Keep it enjoyable
Level 1 - Beginner Stage (The Input Method)
This stage starts from the second you decide to learn a new language and generally lasts for 3-4 months for “Easy” languages, 4-7 months for “Medium” languages and 7-9 months for “Hard” languages.
The input stage is reminiscent of how we’ve all learned our mother language at a young age. Put simply it’s all about taking in as much information as possible. Learning new words, reading books, listening to how words are pronounced, listening for differences in grammar and listening to the natural cadence/sound of native speakers are all crucial during this phase.
Input is all about getting yourself familiar with your language. More specifically, it involves utilizing a solid beginner and intermediate program that will take you from knowing nothing to understanding most of the words you hear.
In combination with watching a surplus of TV, YouTube videos, films and other forms of media in order to get your ear accustomed to the native rate of speech and pronunciation from day one.
Stage 1 & Stage 2
Beginner Stage - The Input Method
1. Pimsleur
During the beginner stage, I will always start with a program called Pimsleur. It’s a software developed by linguist Paul Pimsleur that focuses on introducing people to their new language. Pimsleur is an audio based program. Every level of Pimsleur has 30 lessons. Each lesson is 30 minutes long and most languages have three to five levels (90 -150 lessons in total).
Pimsleur is designed for beginners. It introduces new learners to their languages in a friendly and fun way. It’s a very solid program. It even has a mobile app, for language learning on the go.
Pimsleur is essential for all beginners because it gets you used to the natural sound of the language, teaches you the most useful words for a beginner to know, and greatly helps your pronunciation from day one.
RELATED: Pimsleur Review: How To Learn Any Language With This Super Easy Method.
I’ve used it for every language I've learnt and I can’t say enough good things about it. Therefore, I heavily recommend you use Pimsleur as your first approach to learning any language (given that a Pimsleur program exists for the language you want to learn. If it doesn’t, no problem. I’ll recommend an alternative program such as Bluebird Languages.
(You can complete the first two levels, 60 lessons and move on to Assimil but I recommend completing all 5 levels if Pimsleur offers 5 levels in your target language)
Alternative Option - Bluebird Languages
Start learning from a list of the most common 1,000-1,500 words
Learn 5-10 words every day
RELATED: Bluebird Languages Review: A Proven Method To Reach Expert Fluency In Record Time.
2. Assimil
After Pimsleur is a program called Assimil. Assimil is truly the core of this method, and it’s incredibly powerful. Assimil has both an audio and textbook component.
It starts off from an upper beginner level, hence why I recommend doing Pimsleur first. If you start with Assimil right away you might feel a bit overwhelmed. This is due to Assimil’s assimilation method where the focus lies on being exposed to countless sentences and lots of audio input so you gradually come to understand the inner workings of the language.
The focus isn’t on memorizing vocabulary, however through constant exposure and readily available translations you end up memorizing words, phrases, and natural pronunciation through repetition.
It starts off with lessons that are very simple and eventually works its way to more challenging content. The progress is constant and thus never feels rushed or like it’s increasing in difficulty too fast.
RELATED: Assimil Review: Is Assimil As Great As People Say It Is? An Honest Look!
Generally, for most languages, Assimil will have around 100 lessons. By the end of the 100 lessons, Assimil’s aim is to take you to a B1-B2 level which is roughly intermediate - upper intermediate level. Meaning if you follow through, by the time you finish Assimil you will be very close to conversational fluency.
After finishing Assimil you may be comfortable watching TV shows and movies without subtitles in your target language. After Assimil there is one more program in the input stage...
3. Glossika
Glossika is an online program with a focus on exposing you to as many sentences in your target language as possible. It does this in order to help build your pattern recognition skills as well as your listening and speaking skills.
The core of Glossika is to have you remember key ideas, not just words. The goal is for you to understand how to construct a sentence with the key idea being telling someone what another person is wearing. The focus isn’t on you specifically learning the word for hoodie or hat.
I’d highly recommend using Glossika after both Pimsleur and Assimil. Glossika will not hold your hand. There are no grammar explanations, and no side notes giving more context to the phrases used like there is in Assimil.
RELATED: Glossika Review: Helpful Or Overhyped? What You Need To Know!
Glossika starts on a roughly upper-beginner/intermediate level. If you have not completed Pimsleur and Assimil first, you won’t get as much benefit out of Glossika as you would otherwise.
Glossika will act as the bridge that will take you to the output stage. After covering 1,000 - 2,000 unique sentences (which should take 1-2 months) you’ll be fully prepared to start speaking to native speakers.
Use A Tool To Review Everything
Spaced Repetition System (SRS)
The spaced repetition system (SRS) is a powerful tool that can help you learn and remember new information more effectively. It involves setting aside specific time intervals to review previously learned material, which helps to "solidify" the information in your memory.
There are many different SRS tools available online, such as Anki, Memrise or Quizlet, which allow you to customize your learning experience according to your needs.
SRS tools are an excellent way to review and consolidate previously learned material, but they can also be used for learning new information from scratch.
In fact, many language learners find that using an SRS tool is the best way to learn vocabulary effectively. By incorporating regular reviews into your study routine, you can make significant progress in a relatively short amount of time.
Anki
Anki is a powerful SRS tool that can be used for learning new information as well as reviewing previously learned material.
It allows you to customize your learning experience according to your needs, and its online community offers lots of helpful resources. Anki is an excellent way to make significant progress in a short amount of time.
Consume The Language Naturally
Watch TV & movies with subtitles (How To Learn A Language By Watching TV: The 13 Best Tips & Resources)
Podcasts
YouTube (Language Learning With YouTube: 10 Steps To Improve Fluency Learning Languages With YouTube)
Music
A word on media in the input stage:
When it comes to TV shows, movies and other videos, you should be watching all of them with subtitles for the first few months. When you reach Glossika you can decide whether or not you still need them. You most likely still will. That’s normal. The subtitles on the content you watch shouldn’t come off entirely until the output stage.
Media (TV/Film/YouTube/Music)
One of the reasons why this method is so effective is because of how fun it is. Fun is one of the most important factors behind a person sticking with their new language. If it’s not fun people often times will give up.
That is why the method utilizes fun content in order to help ensure your happiness is never compromised by studying your new language. That’s what makes this method unique.
A large part of the method’s focus is on consuming media that you genuinely enjoy and have a great time watching/listening to. TV shows, movies, YouTube videos, and music all have tremendous power to inspire and motivate us.
How to best make use of your time watching TV, movies, and YouTube videos
Find the best shows, movies, and YouTubers.
Be active while watching!
Memorize words.
Venture away from subtitles.
How to make the best use of your time listening to music
Music by itself (excluding music videos) doesn’t include body language. However, what it does include is portability. You can listen to your favorite songs wherever you are. This is powerful.
Build a playlist in your target language.
Analyze and memorize your favorite songs.
It is critical for you to make use of media from day one. It’s meant to be used alongside your main language program. My advice would be to choose a TV show and try to watch 30 minutes to an hour of it per day (time will vary depending on your free time). When you have some downtime, certainly search for some music and build up your playlist.
The ideal initial scenario would be this:
A week into your new language:
You’re a few episodes into a good TV show in the language you are learning and you’re enjoying the show. (Watching it with English subtitles)
You’ve found several songs/artists and are building up your playlist.
Again, using media is an incredibly fun and effective way to learn a language. However, it’s only a supplement. It’s not the main activity that will get you where you want to go. That comes in the form of dedicated language programs.
When Does Stage 2 Begin?
Learn the most common 1,000 - 1,500 words
You've now finished a beginner/intermediate course
Look For Easy Reading Materials
Short Stories for Beginners by Olly Richards
If you're looking for an easy read to help you progress to the next stage of your language learning journey, I'd recommend Short Stories for Beginners by Olly Richards.
RELATED: 15 Powerful Reasons To Read Short Stories For Learning A Language.
This book is packed with short stories written in a range of different languages, and it's perfect for beginners who want to improve their reading skills. Each story is accompanied by a translation, and Olly provides helpful notes and vocabulary lists to aid your understanding.
Find some resources that help you learn the basics of grammar in your target language
YouTube
Small grammar course
Grammar textbook
Bluebird Languages
Can You Forget A Language After Learning It?
A lot of people quit during their version of the input stage when they are still absorbing the language. They study it on and off for a few months, then quit, then come back to the language after a year. Then they realize that they’ve forgotten everything they knew about the language.
The reason behind that is that they never solidified their knowledge. They abandoned it during the most critical time of development and as a result, lost months of work.
This is why it’s crucial not only to do the input stage correctly but also to persevere. This ensures that your effort is never lost. That’s the beauty of getting a language to the conversationally fluent level.
Duration of Level One
3-9 Months
Level 2 - Intermediate Stage (The Output Method)
The output stage starts from when you start to understand the majority of words and sentences you hear in your target language.
The focus in the output stage is to speak, write and text as much as possible with native speakers. Communication is key. The exact form of communication you take is up to you. Some have no interest in writing or texting. Some have a strong interest and desire in being able to do it all.
Thus, in the output stage, the focus lies upon coming up with as many of your own sentences as possible, communicating them to a native speaker, and getting feedback on certain aspects (grammar, pronunciation, and whether or not a native would phrase the sentence in the same way).
The only way to get better, faster and more natural at speaking your new language is practice. That’s what this stage is all about. Practice, practice, practice.
The output stage will primarily have you utilizing online websites in order to get in contact with either language tutors, teachers or penpals. The stage reaches a conclusion at the time when you feel you have reached conversational fluency and can express most things you’d want to say in a relatively effortless manner.
Level Two - Engage
Intermediate Stage - The Output Method
1. italki
The main resource you’ll be using in the output stage is a website called italki.
Italki is a website that allows you to connect with tutors and professional language teachers from around the world. I’ve used it for every language I speak because it’s the most effective way to improve your speaking & listening skills to reach conversational fluency.
On the website you have the option of connecting with community tutors as well as professional teachers. The difference between the two is that community tutors are often native speakers that are looking to help teach people their language.
RELATED: Italki Review: Is italki Worth It For Learning How To Speak A Language?
Whereas professional teachers often have a degree in teaching their language as well as several years of professional experience. The focus of this stage is to get as much speaking practice with a native speaker whose job it is to correct you and make you have a good time.
If you’ve successfully gone through all of the resources from the input stage, you are in a very good place. You are prepared to make the most out of talking to native speakers.
By yourself, you’ve already learned a great deal of your target language, and if you’ve already reached the point where you can understand most of the media you watch without subtitles, then italki is going to be quite fun for you.
RELATED: How To Find Your Perfect Language Tutor Online (12 Simple Steps).
It’s always more fun and effective to begin speaking with native speakers when you can actually understand them. It’s 1000% easier to learn from them now as opposed to if you started speaking to them from day one and had no clue what they were saying.
Now if you don’t understand a word they can explain the meaning in their own language. When you listen to them speak you won’t have to stop them at the end of every sentence in confusion. You’ve already built up your listening skills, now it’s just time to practice the skill of speaking.
How To Best Use italki
I recommend booking a 30-60 minute lesson with a community tutor every other day. On the days where you aren’t having a lesson, your options are a bit broader. On those days you can continue working on Glossika, watch a show without subtitles, listen to a full podcast or read.
In your lessons make sure you and your tutor keep a list of important phrases/words that come up. I’d recommend sharing a google document with your tutor and having them write in the translations and explanations of everything you have difficulty with over the course of your lesson.
RELATED: How Does italki Work? How To Use italki To Learn A Language Effectively.
That way you can use the list as a review on your days where you aren’t speaking to your tutor. It will keep all the key words and phrases you’ve learned throughout your various lessons fresh in mind.
After 2-4 months of using italki in combination with media and the other forms of practice on the off days that we discussed, you will reach the conversational fluency level.
Alternative Options:
Interpals
Interpals is a penpal/language exchange website that helps you to connect with native speakers of your target language. It allows you to search for people based on the language you want to learn and/or they are trying to learn.
Thus, if you can teach them some English they’ll teach you their language. It’s a free way to get large amounts of speaking and listening practice.
I highly recommend the site as a solid free alternative. You never know who you’ll talk to and meet, so go for it. Penpals are always awesome!
Tandem
Tandem is a language learning app that helps you find a language exchange partner who wants to learn your language, and vice versa. Basically it's a language exchange between two people learning the other person's native language.
You can use it to practice through text, voice note, audio or video call in your target language. You can search by location, language, interests, and more.
HelloTalk
If you are not looking to practice speaking with native speakers, but instead you simply want to read or text in your new language, I’d recommend an app called HelloTalk.
It is essentially a messaging app like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, however it’s specifically created for language learning. It has inbuilt translation tools as well as correction tools (i.e. if you write a sentence with the wrong grammar it autocorrects it and shows you your mistake).
You can use the app to communicate with native speakers in the language you’re learning for free. There is also the option to send voice messages, so if you are still looking to get a bit of speaking practice in, you have the ability to.
Note on writing:
If your focus is on being able to speak and listen only then I’d recommend you not putting the time into learning how to write. It would be more beneficial to simply practice speaking and listening if that’s your goal.
However, if you want to write in the language I’d recommend spending some time researching workbooks that focus on building your writing skills in your target language. When you find one that grabs your attention (highest rated, effective, a lot of positive reviews, etc.) purchase it, and use it on the off days of your italki routine.
(I like recommending specific resources and books, however in this case the writing book you buy will depend on the language you study.)
A word on media in the output stage:
Every show, YouTube video, and film you watch in this stage should be without subtitles. It will be hard in the beginning, however eventually your brain will become more and more accustomed to the new language.
After a month or two you’ll find that consuming media won’t take too much effort to understand. By the end of the output stage, you should feel fully comfortable in watching most forms of media in your target language without subtitles.
Tip: Watch a TV show or movie you’ve already watched before, dubbed into your target language. For example, if you’ve already watched the show “Friends” in English, watching it again in your target language will greatly help you as you already understand the context and the plot of the show.
If you are having extreme difficulty comprehending what you are watching with the English subtitles turned off, there is another option. You can watch shows and movies with subtitles in your target language.
This will help you grasp which words are being used, and how to understand where one-word stops and the other starts. For example, it's easier if you study a language with a relatively easy writing system that uses Latin letters (Spanish, Italian, Dutch, etc.).
However, this may not be possible if you study a language with a different alphabet/writing system (Arabic, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, etc.) as you might not be able to read the subtitles fast enough to make sense out of them.
Regardless, this option is only to be used as a crutch if you are having a very difficult time with zero subtitles. Ideally, you always want to watch with zero subtitles in the output stage as you will focus more intensely on what you are hearing, and of course, because there aren’t subtitles in real life when you talk to people.
Duration of Level Two
6-12 Months
It’s Yours Now - Congratulations
Getting to the conversationally fluent level marks the end of the output stage. It also means that if you want to move onto the next language that’s been drawing your attention, you can do so.
Completing the output stage means you’ve unlocked a special ability. You will never forget how to understand the language you just learned. Your speaking skills might decline after months or years of non-use, however you will always understand the language. Not to mention, your speaking skills can be brought back to life in a relatively short amount of time.
Level 3 - Advanced Stage (The Refinement Method)
You've made it to the refinement stage! This stage is for those who want to perfect their new language skills. There is no set duration for the refinement stage as it's an ongoing process. You can continue refining your skills for as long as you want to actively study the language. It's entirely optional, but will help you become a master of the language.
Progress in the refinement stage will be slower than in the earlier stages, as you'll already have a good grasp of the language and will be focusing on perfecting your skills rather than rapidly acquiring new ones.
You should feel comfortable expressing yourself and understanding native speakers in your target language at this point. The refinement stage is the final step in getting you to a place where you can communicate effortlessly.
In the refinement stage, you can use various methods to take your language skills to a near-native level. It all comes down to what works best for you and your goals/lifestyle.
Traveling
One of the best ways to refine your language skills is to travel. It allows you to immerse yourself in the culture and practice speaking with native speakers in real-life situations.
It also exposes you to different dialects and regionalisms that you may not come across in your home country. If traveling is not an option for you, there are other ways to get exposure to different dialects.
Grammar Books
If you want to focus on perfecting your grammar, there are many resources available to help you. These can be used as a reference when needed or for in-depth study. There are many different types of grammar books out there, so it's important to find one that suits your learning style.
italki
italki is a language learning platform that connects students with native speakers. It's a great resource for practicing speaking and perfecting your pronunciation. You can also use it to find answers to any grammar questions you may have.
Pronunciation Coach
A pronunciation coach can help you with the more difficult aspects of pronunciation. They can also help you with the intonation and rhythm of your speech. This is a great option if you want to focus on perfecting your pronunciation.
Dialect Coach
A dialect coach can help you with the specifics of a particular dialect. They can teach you the different pronunciation rules and help you with your accent. This is a great option if you want to learn a dialect for work or travel.
Gaming
Games are a great way to practice your language skills in a fun and relaxed environment. There are many different types of games available, from online multiplayer games to mobile apps. You can also find games specifically designed for language learning.
School
If you want to take your language skills to the next level, you can enroll in a language school. This is a great option if you want to study formally, get a qualification or prepare for an exam.
Podcasts
Podcasts are a great way to learn new vocabulary and improve your listening skills. They can also be a great source of motivation. There are many different types of podcasts available, from news programs to comedies. You can also find podcasts specifically designed for language learning.
Reading
Reading is a great way to learn new vocabulary and improve your understanding of grammar. You can read anything from newspapers, comic books to novels. You can also find books specifically designed for language learning.
A note on media in the refinement stage:
Any content you watch should be without subtitles at this point.
Adapting To Your Schedule
One thing I haven’t gone into detail on is how much time all of this requires. This is another reason why I believe this method works so well.
I’ll let you in on a secret...I don’t have much free time everyday and I’m sure most people could relate. Many people think in order to achieve fluency that I must have spent several hours per day learning languages. However, I honestly don’t have time for that. Most people don’t.
I personally only spend 30 to 60 minutes on language learning per day. It’s nothing too hard, nor overly time consuming. Usually how it works is in the first month or two I’ll use Pimsleur/Assimil for 30 minutes a day.
That’s basically it. I’m not a robot, some days I will feel less motivated than others. However, the most important part is being consistent. Whether it’s an hour or even 15 minutes, just be sure you are tackling it piece by piece every day.
All that said, spending 30 to 60 minutes per day on studying will generally lead me to become fluent in my language goals within 6-12 months. The amount of months it takes to become fluent depends on the difficulty of the language studied.
However, what if you have even less time available per day than I do? Or, on the other hand, what if you have an abundance of time?
Less than 30 minutes per day:
For those of you with extremely busy schedules that simply don’t allow for much spare time, it is still possible to learn a language. If you only have 15 to 20 minutes a day to spend, follow the method as normal.
However, that said I’d strongly recommend making the extra time to bump it up to at least 30 minutes per day (wake up earlier, re-prioritize time-consuming events on your schedule, etc.).
If you are only committing 15 minutes a day, language learning will happen, however it’ll likely take you at least twice as long to reach your language goals. It's okay if you have some days where you only get 15 minutes a day of study. However, if you're relying only on 15 minutes a day it’s going to take a long time to get to where you want to get to.
Note: Make sure you are consuming media any time you can (lunchtime, while commuting, even cleaning, doing laundry and/or dishes). If you are very strapped for time, you most likely won't have too much time to watch TV, thus make sure you at least take in a lot of input from audio-only sources such as podcasts and music.
2 hours or more per day:
It could be the case where you have an abundance of time and you are extremely dedicated to learning your new language.
That’s great! The more time the better! However, I’d recommend two hours as the maximum amount of time to study per day.
This is for a few reasons:
1. Memory - Your mind can only retain so much information at once. It’s far better to have 6 one hour learning sessions than a 1 six-hour learning session. Trying to learn an extreme amount of information in one setting will lead you to hitting diminishing returns.
For example, if in one sitting you retain 50% of what you learn during the first hour, 25% of what you learn in the second, 10% of what you learn in the third, 5% in the fourth, etc. It’s not worth it to put in that third or fourth hour as you’re barely receiving any benefit from it.
2. Burn out - Language learning is supposed to be fun. I’m sure you are very excited about your language goal in order to be wanting to study it so much.
That said, if that initial enthusiasm eventually disappears over time, then studying for such a long duration is going to become increasingly strenuous and chore-like. Leading to you potentially burning out and wanting to give up on your language. Which is never a good option.
If you do want to study actively for two hours or more a day then I’d recommend breaking it up into a morning and night session. This way you have the added benefit of keeping your brain fresh as well as ensuring that you study right before you go to bed (which has been proven to help retain information).
Ultimately the amount of time you want to put in depends on you. I believe 30 to 60 minutes per day is the sweet spot. It’s effective, and it’s doable even on those days when your motivation might not be high. That said, it all depends on what your goals are, how fast you want to learn, and how busy your schedule is.
Time should never be an excuse not to learn a language. Time is all it takes for a language to grow. With this method, it’s not a question of can or can’t. It’s a question of time. You will be able to speak whatever language you desire if you put in the time consistently and don’t give up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the easiest languages to learn?
The answer to this question varies depending on several factors, including your native language, your level of commitment & the amount of time you are willing to dedicate to studying.
However, some languages are generally considered to be easier to learn than others. If you're interested to learn more, read The Top 11 Easiest Languages To Learn (Even For English speakers).
Is it better to live in the country of the language I want to speak?
This is certainly a great way to immerse yourself in the language & culture, and it can be helpful to live in the country where the language is spoken. However, it is not necessary and it's not always possible or desirable to up and move to another country.
If you can't make this commitment, don't worry - there are plenty of other ways to immerse yourself in the language.
For example, you could try watching TV shows & movies in the target language, listening to music or podcasts, reading books & magazines, or practicing with a language exchange partner. If you're dedicated to learning the language, you can make progress even if you don't live in the target country.
Does learning languages get easier the more I learn?
Yes, it does! Once you have learned one language, it becomes much easier to learn subsequent languages. This is because you already have a solid foundation in understanding how learning a language works and the learning process itself becomes less daunting.
Additionally, you’ll be able to transfer some of the skills & knowledge you acquired from learning your first language (e.g. grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation) to your new language(s).
Will I eventually forget the languages I learn?
If you don't use a language regularly, you will likely forget some of it over time. However, if you want to maintain your proficiency in a language, there are many ways to stay sharp.
How can I revive the languages I used to speak?
If you want to brush up on a language you haven't used in a while, there are a few things you can do. First, try to find opportunities to use the language in your daily life, even if it's just simple phrases like "hello" or "thank you".
You can also review basic grammar & vocabulary, or practice with a tutor or native speaker. Additionally, there are many online resources that can help you review & practice specific topics (e.g. grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation).
Finally, try to immerse yourself in the culture by watching TV shows & movies, listening to music and podcasts, or reading books & magazines in the language.
I started with one language but want to switch to another, should I?
If you're not enjoying the language you're learning or you're not making the progress you want, it might be worth considering a switch. However, before you do, it's important to think about why you want to learn the language.
Is it for personal interest? Professional development? Travel? Career advancement? Once you've considered your goals, research the best ways to achieve them. For example, if you want to learn a language for professional development, it might be worth considering a language that is spoken in the country of your target market.
If you're interested in travel, on the other hand, you might want to focus on a language that is spoken in a country you're planning to visit. Alternatively, if you want to learn a language for business purposes to advance your career, it might be worth considering one of the most spoken languages in the world or a language for a specific job.
RELATED: The 10 Best Languages To Learn For Business That Are High In Demand.
Or if you're interested in the culture and history of a particular country, you might want to learn the official language of that country.
Can I study two languages at the same time?
It is possible to study two languages at the same time, although it's generally not recommended for beginners. If you do decide to take on this challenge, it's important to be realistic about your expectations and give yourself enough time to focus on both languages.
RELATED: Is It Really A Good Idea? How To Learn Multiple Languages At Once.
Additionally, you will need to be extra diligent in your studies and make use of all the resources available to you. Finally, it's important to remember that you should focus on quality over quantity - it's better to progress slowly in two languages than try to learn everything at once and end up forgetting most of it.
What resources should I use if I want to study an uncommon language?
Bluebird Languages offers a great selection of popular languages as well as uncommon languages, including Cherokee, Estonian, Mongolian, and more!
If you're interested in learning one of these languages, they have everything you need to get started. If you're interested in learning more about Bluebird Languages, read Bluebird Languages Review: A Proven Method To Reach Expert Fluency In Record Time.
Should I get a certification that proves I speak the language?
It can be helpful to get certified in a language, especially if you plan to use it for work or study. However, certification is not required to prove your proficiency in a language. If you want to get a certification that proves you speak the language, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
First, research the different options available and choose the one that is most relevant to your goals. For example, if you want to use the language for business purposes, it might be worth considering a professional certification.
Second, make sure you are familiar with the format of the exam and the topics it will cover. Finally, give yourself enough time to prepare by studying regularly and using all the resources available to you.
Conclusion
So, there you have it - my top tips for learning a new language in just 6 months. No matter what your goal is for learning a new language, following the tips in this article will help you to reach fluency in a shorter amount of time.
Be dedicated to your studies, make use of all the resources available to you and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. If you follow these guidelines and are consistent with your studies, you will most definitely reach fluency.
Of course, the process won't be easy but if you're determined to learn a new language, nothing can stop you! Are you ready to get started?
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Question:
So, here’s the question: What language will you learn? Let us know in the comments section down below!
P.S. I want to hear from you today. No for real, get out from behind that keyboard and tell us more about yourself! Use the comment section down below and introduce yourself.
Hey, I’m Mara.
I am the founder and blogger of Sololingual helping anyone at any age, from any place, who wants to learn a new language. You can learn how to reach fluency in your chosen language fast, fun and easily studying a short amount each day and spending very little money using different language learning techniques, programs and resources at your disposal. Fluency isn't difficult to achieve. In fact, it’s easy when you find a solid method that walks you through every step of the way, and believing in yourself so that you can achieve your goal at becoming fluent in any language.
