Zero beginner​

• Memorize elementary sentences with high-frequency material words (like bread or rice).

  • Use a tool like a good anki deck.

• To start memorizing in multiple modalities, you need to do these:

  • Understand the writing system.
    • If it is a sibling alphabet (like Czech to English or even Bulgarian or Greek to English), focus on the differences.
    • If it is a completely different alphabet (like Thai to English, or English to Chinese), use a tool or anki deck to train the letters. Ensure it does not only present you the letter and its sound, but also words where a letter goes in different positions.
    • If it is a completely different and bigger writing system (like Chinese to English), accept that you cannot learn it quickly and study the strategy of acquiring the characters over years. But also learn the practical basics, like (pinyin for Chinese)
    • Install a keyboard to your devices so you are able to practice writing.
  • Understand the sounds.
    • In some cases like Chinese for English you should train listening and pronunciation first to unlock your progress. Some tools, like Duolingo, combine it with memorizing sentences and that's good. But it is still a separate area of your focus.
    • In some cases you can ignore the differences in pronunciation (like Italian for English) and still progress well. So, do not put too much efforts in the beginning, but see the important remark about accent training below.

• Do minimal exercises for writing or speaking.

  • If your tool allows them - that's all you need.
  • Otherwise, just translate some sentences of the words you know. Use AI chat or a teacher to check you. When using AI do not forget to tell it your current level in the language.

• Accent training

  • There is a problem, that accent training is considered as a very niche need for advanced speakers. It is supported by the fact that lots of people reach practical fluency while keeping harsh foreign accent. This is true but it does not mean that cutting this edge saves you effort. Here's the contradiction:
    • If you do not training one of the native accents (ie. the correct sounds, stress positioning and natural rhythm), consuming content in the target language takes more cognitive efforts from you. This definitely damages productivity and easiness of learning.
    • But in the other hand, you definitely should not aim to 'close the task quick' in case of training the correct accent. You need to significantly rebuild your brain and muscle memory, so don't you even expect it will take less than 6 months.
  • The good part is that accent is a mechanical skill, so spending literally 5 minutes a day is enough. The rest of the time, brain plays with these experiences, so even after an interruption of a week or more, you often find yourself more proficient in this skill.
  • I'd suggest not to train accent in listening modality specifically:
    • You unlock the ability of your brain to notice the nuances when you training pronunciation.
    • This affects how many nuances you recognize when you do other comprehension exercises, so no dedicated training is required.

Not a beginner but still unable to understand the target language​

Able to understand not able to communicate​

This is the current research focus. Demanded for Serbian for the whole family, and for English for Ira and Alex.

Already speaking the language but willing to improve​

What you need:

• Continuous feedback in your natural writing and speaking. This is critical. Needs advanced tools and occasional teacher/coach/volunteer help.
• Complex reading. Use books or publications of professional writers, their active language is complex. This is highly recommended, even in your mother tongue.
• Vocabulary extension exercises. This is optional. Some like anki decks based on dictionaries. Some never use them.