Learning as a lifestyle

Usually, when people want to learn a new language but never do it, it's because they don't think they have the time for studying. They think they have to make time to study, to go to classes, to listen to CDs, to use software, to do flashcards and exercises... Eventually the thought of all that work becomes overwhelming and they give up before they ever get started.

Ironically, I believe it's the people who don't make time for learning a language who end up learning it the best. When you "make... continue reading at Fluent Every Year

Sipping from the language hose

I recently discussed learning as a lifestyle, and said that I learn by using the language, not by studying it. I've pointed out that I don't do lessons, I don't use flashcards, I don't take classes, and I don't think you should either.

I claim that I learn from reading, listening to music, watching movies, chatting, talking, writing, etc. But you might be wondering how a person can learn from doing that. In fact, I was recently asked by one of my readers to explain how I learn new words without... continue reading at Fluent Every Year

I'm starting an anti-productivity movement

Lately, everywhere you look, you're surrounded by productivity "gurus" telling you how you can "do more", "fit more on your plate", and "get more done."

Everyone promises to make you more productive, whatever that means. They claim you'll be better at work, and better at home, and better at life, and blah blah blah, and then before you know it, you're scheduling your whole life into a calendar, and living on a strict schedule, fitting everything and everyone into cold, impersonal slots of time,... continue reading at Fluent Every Year

Learn the words you use

So often, people rigidly follow lesson plans, or course books, or flashcard decks expecting those things to lead them to fluency, only to find themselves unable to say what they really want to say because they haven't learned the words they use most!

Following programs or courses as they are laid out is a good way to increase your vocabulary, especially in the beginning when you know very little, or nothing at all. But as your skill grows and your ability to communicate begins to take shape,... continue reading at Fluent Every Year

Taking breaks, and the 10-day Mandarin challenge

There's something nice about taking time away from the task at hand which helps us to get refocused on it once that break is over. Every time I put something out of mind for a short period of time, I find that my effectiveness is improved once I return to it.

I believe that taking those breaks gives you a chance to convert what you've learned from short-term memory to long-term memory. And this is why I have welcomed what seem to be "distractions", such as my week of Esperanto.

I have found,... continue reading at Fluent Every Year

Getting the most out of Lang-8

One of the most helpful tools I use for language learning is the free, social web site Lang-8. There, you write freely in your target language, as you might in a blog, and then your text is made available sentence by sentence for correction from native speakers.

Getting correction from a native speaker is invaluable, and getting several corrections you can choose from is even better. Yet in spite of the fact that it's so useful, and free of charge, it seems that a lot of people are still not... continue reading at Fluent Every Year

Me, Neighborly?

Am I a good neighbor? Yes, I think so.



I say hi to people from the building when I see them. I make sure their package deliveries are inside, where they won't be stolen. I do what I can.



I also believe it is important to take care of your surroundings and take pride in the place you live. In the winter, I'm the only person in my building who clears snow from the walk and the front steps. But I don't mind. It's not that hard. And in the summer, I sweep the steps, or vaccuum the front landing. I sweep the back walkway and pick up the trash. It's not a big deal, it only takes a few minutes to do it.



I'm a little disappointed that no one else takes any pride in where they live, and I'm disheartened that if I were to stop, no one else would do it. When I'm out of town for a week or two, I come back to find the building looking a mess. And one day, I'll move and it will stay a mess.

You are what you do

This post isn't just about language learning, but it applies to language learning. The is really a post about everything you do in your life. This is a post about what you are, and what you want to be. It's about why you're not there yet, and how you can get there.


Your body is what you do to it
Several years ago, I took an interest in weight training. I was skinny and I wanted to gain weight, but not by getting fat. I started lifting weights a few days per week, running every day, changing... continue reading at Fluent Every Year

Il condizionale – Italian’s peculiar conditional tense

There is still one verb tense which needs to be understood, but which I have not yet discussed here. And the reason I haven't discussed it yet was because it's use was still somewhat unclear to me.

In fact, the most common explanation I've found online for the conditional tense in Italian was simply: "don't use it, because you're sure to get it wrong." I can't believe that passes for an explanation, but it does!

Well, just as with everything else in language learning, it turns out that using... continue reading at Fluent Every Year

Travel hacking

This week I flew to Salt Lake City and rented a car, and then took a 2,000 mile tour through some of the most beautiful land that America has to offer. Along the way, I also managed to come up with a few travel hacks that I want to share.

Flying
For starters, my entire flight was free, because I had earned enough awards points for a free flight, simply by sticking to the same airline every time I fly. This isn't necessarily ground-breaking advice, but the important thing to remember is that... continue reading at Fluent Every Year

Do-it-yourself immersion

I'm traveling this week, visiting huge scenic landscapes and beautiful national parks in the big, wide-open western states. It's a lot of driving, a bit of hiking, and nights in hotel rooms, and I'm doing it all alone. But I'm not complaining about being alone. On the contrary, I like it, because it allows me an opportunity for do-it-yourself immersion.

When people talk about immersion in a language, they usually mean that you go to the country where the language is spoken, and live there for... continue reading at Fluent Every Year

Don't study a foreign language!

I'll bet a few of you never expected to see that headline from me. But this isn't a joke post, and it's not reverse-psychology. I'm absolutely serious... if you're studying a foreign language, you need to stop.

Surely you must think I'm mad. A guy who says anyone can learn to speak a foreign language is telling people not to do it? Well... not exactly. I'm not telling you not to learn... I'm only telling you not to study.

Stop studying
People study to pass tests. Students study in order... continue reading at Fluent Every Year

Progress report entering the last three months

I'm entering the final three months of my Italian year, so it's a good time for another update on my progress. Today, I'll talk about where I'm at, what I've been doing, and how I plan to finish up my year.

When I started my Italian project this year, I defined what it meant to be fluent, and I also laid out a number of goals regarding things I expect to be able to do once this year is over. Let’s see how things look en route to meeting those expectations.

My definition of fluency
First,... continue reading at Fluent Every Year

Comings and goings

Recently, I've been making a lot of exciting changes in my life. While none of them is directly related to learning a language, clearing out the stresses and distractions in your life is a great way to free up your time and your attention for the things that are important, such as working on your language skills.

Uncluttering
I've always had the belief that less is more, and that the things you own end up owning you. Well, after spending most of the last 10 years involved in photography, I've... continue reading at Fluent Every Year