method
This is a quick-n-dirty summary of the most up-to-date language learning method on the internet. It’s not exhaustive, it’s not meant to be. But for those with some experience, or who want to forge ahead, or start straight away, everything you should need should be here. To be guided through everything step by step with love, care, and extra awesome subscribe for future posts.
The basis for most of my own language study is Fluent Forever. But what used to be a book/method/community has since mostly turned into an app and its marketing.
The original method has however been updated over the years, with the latest version and its associated flashcard types being the best so far. Those two links are the place to start if you're serious about learning a language1.
In short, if you want to speak a language you have to speak it.
If you want to speak a language you use iTalki (and listen to a butt-tonne of audio content). Everything else is add-ons.
If you want to read a language, the same toolset is probably still best—with some adjustments.
1 - Pronunciation
Fluent Forever Pronunciation Trainer
+ Kjellin Pronunciation Practice
2 - iTalki
3 - Anki
Welcome to the #Ankiarmy!
Don't forget to use the updated card formats
4 - Listen. A lot.
Find a conversational podcast in your target language, preferably one with a back catalogue of 50+ hours of content, and start listening. Comprehension is not important. Soak your brain.
4 - Rinse. Repeat. ♻️
anywhere from ~6 months ➡ 2+ years (?)
5 - Reading/Writing/Listening
Language specific resources
Fluentcard.com - turbo boost reading/anki feedback loop
6. Learn ~6000 cards.
Congratulations! 🥳
You are now fluent (whatever that means!)
Simple, Efficient, Effective
A key here is the simplicity. The above method is as simple as it needs to be, but no simpler.
And yet, this simple iTalki>Anki>Podcast feedback loop will take you all the way to C1 if you let it. And as you refine your tools and workflows for that loop the benefits are self-reinforcing. This newsletter is really an extended reflection on, and practical exploration of, that process.
Supplementary resources and study can be added in at any stage and as you see fit, but without the nagging suspicion that you're doing something fundamentally wrong.
A confidence in your base language practice breeds the healthiest disposition toward other tools and opportunities. Try them, incorporate them for a time, fill in weakness you see emerge, or don't. As long as the heartbeat of speaking, listening and spaced repetition continues in the background, language is being learnt: quickly, efficiently, throughly.
As a fellow learner said "there's a lot of people who start learning a language.. but only a small % of those people actually get fluent.. so there's a ton of noise out there".
The method above works.
If you use it consistently *you will learn the language*.
Read more about the details below.
This method will also be comprehensively (and I’m hoping definitively) fleshed out through this email newsletter, filling in the gaps, and updating it with the latest tools and tips.
future posts will include:
a full pronunciation resource guide
best anki extensions (probably a two parter)
finding flashcard pictures (lots of tricks)
the anki review count conundrum
the importance of the right tutor
italki lesson workflows
flashcard sentences: different approaches
If that sounds like something you’d be interested in subscribe below or head to the About page to be further convinced.
I don’t do social media so Fluent for Now grows organically 🌱.
Please consider sharing it with other language groupies or group chats or wherever the people you know are who might get excited about spaced repetition software and language acquisition. 🙌🏻
As I said above, for beginners without experience of flashcards and Anki and iTalki, I realise this can all be overwhelming. That’s part of the reason I’m writing this newsletter: to try and make this upgraded and most up-to-date method accessible to the newbie and the un-initiated. Subscribe for future posts—we will cover everything.