LanguageLearning阅读原文(4)

So meeting other polyglots helped me realize that it is really crucial to find enjoyment in the process of learning languages, but also that joy in itself is not enough. If you want to achieve fluency in a foreign language, youll also need to apply three more principles.First of all, youll need effective methods. If you try to memorize a list of words for a test tomorrow, the words will be stored in your short-term memory and youll forget them after a few days. If you, however, want to keep words long term, you need to revise them in the course of a few days repeatedly using the so-called space repetition. You can use apps which are based on this system such as Anki or Memrise, or you can write lists of word in a notebook using the Goldlist method, which is also very popular with many polyglots. If youre not sure which methods are effective and what is available out there, just check out polyglots YouTube channels and websites and get inspiration from them. If it works for them, it will most probably work for you too.
The third principle to follow is to create a system in your learning. Were all very busy and no one really has time to learn a language today. But we can create that time if we just plan a bit ahead. Can you wake up 15 minutes earlier than you normally do? That would be the perfect time to revise some vocabulary. Can you listen to a podcast on your way to work while driving? Well, that would be great to get some listening experience. There are so many things we can do without even planning that extra time, such as listening to podcasts on our way to work or doing our household chores. The important thing is to create a plan in the learning. I will practice speaking every Tuesday and Thursday with a friend for 20 minutes. I will listen to a YouTube video while having breakfast. If you create a system in your learning, you dont need to find that extra time, because it will become a part of your everyday life.