Hello everyone! I’m learning German and I’m trying to make sure my language learning habits are the best they can be. I was using Duolingo and Busuu, but that was taking a lot of time away from immersion/fun and what I learned in one app I often learned in the other, so it felt redundant. So now I just use Busuu for grammar learning.

Any new German words I come across I then enter into Anki for memorization, which I practice once or twice a day.

After these two activities, I try to fill my day as much as possible with German media; this includes German podcasts, music, games translated into German, and YouTube videos.

I want to know… Is this an effective method? I’m always a bit of a perfectionist, so I’m looking for feedback or constructive criticism. Alternatively, you could just share your own language learning methods!

I’d also love to know if there are any great instances for people learning languages! I tried looking, but none of them seemed active :(

  • AbelianGrape@beehaw.orgEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Ive been learning French for about two years now. Consuming media in the target language is good but… there is no substitute, none, for actively having conversations in the target language every day. Seek out a conversation partner! Personally, I moved (coincidentally, lol) to a Canadian French city about a year after I started learning the language. I regularly speak French with people I’ve met there.

    I’ve seen many polyglots practice speaking languages on ome(dot)tv, though I can’t personally say whether it’s effective.

  • Liam@beehaw.orgEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Sounds like you’re doing great! I majored in German in college, it’s such a fun language to learn. Others have already mentioned these points, but they’re definitely the next step for you, if you’re looking to expand your current practice. Language accusation has 4 major components. Reading comprehension and listening comprehension (passive) and writing and speaking (active). Having a practice buddy that can speak with you on a regular basis will move you forward in leaps and bounds. Same for actually immersing yourself in an environment where the language is spoken can also move you sooo far forward. But if you keep on as you are, you’ll definitely still learn a lot :)

  • ElCysteine@readit.buzz
    1·
    1 year ago

    I have been learning Dutch for coming up on four years. I finished Duolingo, although I’m still in a half-way abusive relations because of my 1341 day streak that I cannot let go of*. I read books, such as Duin door Frank Herbert, and listen to Dutch radio. One fun thing I do is go on Google Earth street view, and wander around in Dutch cities. It really lets me know I’ve actually learned something.

      • I was hospitalized for a week and still kept my fucking streak going.