One of the problems I’ve faced until now is that of muscle and memory. The way I speak my current languages, my muscles are not accustomed to speaking or learning French. Also, I can continue revising the subject daily, but it will still be a rot-repetition. I will be taking in the language, without any constructive understanding of the subject. I have to solve this problem.
While search across the internet, I bumped upon a video on youtube that understands this problem clearly. The title of the video is, “How to Learn Any Language in 6 Months“, which does look challenging at first, but it does offer some action steps to how it can be achieved. So, here it goes, my notes from this video.
1. Listen a Lot – First, listen to the language you want to learn. Do what Chris Lonsdale calls Brain Soaking. You simply start listening to the language, as much as you can, without worrying about whether you understand it or not. Today, we have YouTube, podcasts, movies, Netflix, and so much other resources to listen to any language created by humans. You’re listening to patterns, rhythms, and things that stand out to you. When starting out, you might not get a word of it. Neither does a child.
2. Get the Meanings before You Get the Words – Human communication is so much body language. Try to understand the meaning of what is being said, rather that what is actually being said. You’re not judging yourself. You jump into the sea, and you face the water, right up front. No problem, if you can’t swim as of yet.
3. Start Mixing Words – According to Chris Lonsdale, if you know 10 verbs, 10 adjective, and 10 nouns, you can create 1000 possible phases. Start combining words. Get creative. Make fun with it. Doesn’t have to be perfect.
4. Focus on the core things first. He gives out a great example, saying, 1000 words is all you need to comprehend about 85% of English – 3000, for 89%. You see, if you can simply read, write, and speak about a thousand words in French, you can converse day to day things without much hassle.
When you are just beginning with a new language, start with a toolbox –
Week #1 – Simple questions that can help you get started – What is this, How do you say that, I don’t understand, repeat that please,
Week #2 – Me, this, you that, give, simple pronouns, nouns, verbs, adjectives
Week #3 – Although, but, then, however, (glue words)
5. Get a language parent – Find someone who can guide you in conversations. Consider yourself as a child, and the guide being a language parent.
6. Copy the face – Observe how people talk in that language. Look at how the lips move. The way our muscle memory is, we are practically trying to add to it, in the form of a new language, new movement.
7. Connect words with subconscious images. For example, let’s say, imagine fire. How do you imagine fire? What image comes to your mind? And what word is connected to it? Now, imagine fire, and attach that language word with it. The moment you visualise, you look at it, within your mind, and say the word.