How to Actually Learn a Language (Without Wasting Time)
Polyglots will do anything to sell you something, so here’s the fastest and most basic technique based on my research.
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Step 1 – Getting the Absolute Basics In
This is where most people already get lost. If you search social media for how to start, the advice isn’t necessarily bad, but it often makes you dependent on a single resource, usually an app that will eventually try to charge you. Duolingo, for example, has turned into a mega-corporation that perfected gamification to keep you on the app.
Remember: free apps make money by keeping you on their platform, not by helping you become fluent.
At this stage, the goal is not to gain conversational skills but to avoid overwhelming yourself and get a feel for what you’re actually getting into. All my recommended resources are free because I believe learning a language should be a basic right. I wouldn’t advise spending any money until you’re sure you’ll stick with it. Otherwise, it can turn into a toxic “but I paid for this, so I have to keep going” mindset that drains all the fun out of learning.
• Language Transfer – Highly recommended for Spanish, Arabic, Turkish, German, Greek, Italian, Swahili, and French.
• Textbooks – Simply search for [language] textbook PDF, or check LibGen and the Internet Archive. Don’t overthink which book to choose—it doesn’t matter much.
• Podcasts – Coffee Break is a solid choice for many languages.
• YouTube Channels – Join r/Learn[language] on Reddit and find recommendations.
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Step 2 – The 20/80 Principle
The idea is that 20% of words make up 80% of everyday speech.
What you’re going to do:
- Search “Most common words [language] PDF”.
This list is now your best friend
For flashcards, I highly recommend AnkiPro. It lets you import pre-made lists for Anki/Quizlet and has an archive where you’ll definitely find the most common words. But it lacks audio. The real Anki program has it, but only on PC (unless you’re willing to pay $30 for the mobile app). Use AnkiPro for now—we’ll come back to repeating phrases later. In the meantime, find a YouTube video with the most common words pronounced, or use Google Translate for audio.
(Knowt is a free alternative for Quizlet if you prefer that)
These lists will spare you from learning unnecessary vocabulary at this stage. Spaced repetition (which Anki uses) can take longer, but it’s worth it because you want these words to stick. Anki will only introduce a small number of new words per day. Once you start new words, write phrases using them. Doesn’t matter if they’re random just try to use them.
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Step 3 – The First Breakup With the Language
This isn’t really a step, but I have to mention it. For me (and for other language learners I’ve talked to) this is where motivation crashes.
The dopamine rush is over. Your ego boost is gone. You’re stuck understanding just enough to notice how much you don’t understand, and topics are getting more complex. Everything feels overwhelming, and motivation drops.
This is normal. You have to push through it.
I’ll write a separate post on how I manage this phase, but for now:
• Take a step back and make sure you understand the basics.
• Find something that keeps you motivated.
• Consistency is key. Even if it’s just five minutes a day, do it. (Edit: You can search online for inspiration on scheduled plans. I found one that organizes language exercises into different categories based on how much time you have each day, which seems helpful. https://www.reddit.com/r/languagelearning/s/sSGUtORurM
Personally, I used AI to create a weekly plan kind of as a last resort before giving up on the language, but try looking for pre-made ones first.)
I personally enjoyed story learning during this phase. And don’t forget the frequency lists are still your best friend. For story learning check out Olly Richards books!
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Step 4 – Immersion
Your brain needs active and passive immersion. The earlier steps were mostly active, and now you’ll start the fun part.
How to Immerse Yourself:
1. Join some kind of community.
• I enjoy Reddit/ r/lean[Language]. Do this in your target language, but also in the language you already speak. Post that you’re looking for a chat partner in your target language. The most people are nice, and the mean ones will just ghost you anyway.
2. Watch shows.
• Subtitles only in your target language or drop English subtitles ASAP.
3. Listen to podcasts.
4. Read
I personally dislike media made for kids (except on low-energy days). For real immersion, pick something for adults.
5. Translate, write, and speak.
Before this, you wrote simple sentences using vocabulary. Now, put them to work:
• Translate texts.
• Keep a diary.
• Write short stories.
• Complain about the language in the language.
It doesn’t matter, just use it.
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Step 5 – Speaking
Start speaking earlier than you think you’re ready. Trust me. This is probably where most people disagree with me. I do think you should start by focusing on input, but the importance of output isn’t talked about enough.
Now, the real Anki (or any program with phrases + audio) comes into play. At lower levels, it doesn’t make sense to just start talking, since you wouldn’t even be able to recognize your mistakes. Here’s what you’ll do:
1. Repeat phrases out loud.
2. Record yourself speaking.
3. Compare your recording to the original audio and adjust your pronunciation.
If it’s a tonal language (or if you struggle with accents), start this even earlier.
Other Speaking Strategies:
• Shadowing – Repeat after native speakers.
• Reading aloud – Your own texts, books, anything.
• Talking to yourself.
• Talking to natives (if you’re brave).
I’m not here to fix social anxiety, but I am here to help with language learning, so just speak.
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Final Thoughts
• These steps overlap, and that’s fine.
• This is supposed to be fun. Learning just because you’re “too deep in” or because of school won’t cut it.
• If you’re lost, take a step back.
• I’m not a professional. I just think a straight answer is way too hard to find.
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If you have anything to add, feel free to share.