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The best way to learn a language with maximum effectiveness is to use natural principles of language learning. When we go downstream, we can harness the natural current of the river to push us along. It is hard to struggle against the current. Learning a language by using the way that our brain is naturally programmed to learn effectively is just like traveling downstream. It is quicker and simpler than trying to learn in ways that are against how we learn.

Communicating in a foreign language is not knowledge. It is a skill. While language is based on knowledge, being able to communicate depends more on practical skill than intellectual knowledge about a language, for example knowledge of the grammar rules.


listen, speak, read, then write. Since we learn a language by listening before we speak. And rending before we write: you should adopt this approach. This way the basic vocabulary and grammar structures are already in place before someone starts to read and write, making the task of learning much more enjoyable and effortless

The helps you build a set of common pattern that can be used over again to create flexible language use. This is what native speakers do. Even trough the language they are using sounds original, it is actually mostly composed of many ideas and phrases that they have used over and over before. To choose and develop these phrases and structures in order requires careful planning.

Vocabulary is the main limitation when learning a language. No matter how good your grammar and your other skills are. If you do not know enough words, you cannot understand much and you cannot communicate very well. Therefore it is necessary to have a systematic approach to learn new words in the sequence of natural frequency of use, from the most common to the most unusual.

Complex skills require practice and repetition. Most language books and courses do not pay enough attention to the importance of repetition of key words and structures. For example, research show it usually takes 10-12 repetitions of a new word to learn if effectively. But repetition can be boring unless it is done in a way that encourages interest, so it is important to combine revision and repetition with progress with new words and new language patterns. Repetition also helps you master grammar structures without a lot of complicated study of grammar rules.

Exposure to the language from both hearing it and speaking it during a study session should be balanced. Many language course involve a lot of listening or hearing the teacher – this is good for input but there is not enough active output from the learner to balance the input. Involvement in communication with a real person is important in balancing the amount or listening and speaking. Research studies have shown that people do not learn languages from watching TV or listening to tapes nearly as well as when they talk directly to other people.

You learn best when you dace challenges that you can overcome. Pushing yourself to learn by both systematic revision of old work and continually introducing new things also avoids the habit of thinking in one language and translating to another. You need to respond in the new language. This requires carefully going at just the right speed to prevent translation but not so fast that you get lost.