There are a dozen language learning apps on google. There are a thousand blogs and a million language vlogs on YouTube. The question is, where and how does one begin the language journey?
Oh well… It starts with you as a learner. WHAT language have you chosen and WHY? This is step one. Take a sheet of paper and write all the reasons why you want to learn a language. (Be very practical in your list. Even if your reason for learning a language is to find love. Pen it down!)
The next step is to get yourself a lesson plan with no grammar topics. This would certainly come much later. But for now, you need a knowledge of basic vocabulary. Language learning is a natural process. In other words,we learn a language by listening and observing. For beginners, it’s input(reading and listening) before output(writing and speaking). Quick question, in case you are in doubt. What’s a bunch of rules without vocabulary?- I’d leave you to answer that.
So here is what you need in your lesson plan- Basic vocabulary (greetings, places, objects, rooms in the house, fruits,animals and so on) Decide on what you want to know and attach a timeline too. Be careful not to learn too many topics at once. You can take a topic for one week or two. Be careful not to let apps decide for you. Create your own plan and consistently follow it.
And this is the final step! DIVE IN!
Now that you have your personalized lesson plan, all you need is comprehensible input(Content that is easily understood). Listen and read short and simple texts in your target language. As you listen, pay attention to the sounds. When you read, note down new words and save them. Anki is a good way to build your personalized vocabulary bank. I am currently teaching myself French. And I’m loving every step of the way.
I’d love to hear about your progress. Remember, we can all be polyglots!
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