6 habits that made me a successful language learner

CC subtitles available in multiple languages.

In this video, I share the six key elements that shaped my language learning journey. Find out why the usual ways might not work and how a different approach can make a big difference.

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⏲️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - intro
0:29 Focus on patterns
3:24 Aim for intensity of input
4:55 Believe in yourself
6:37 Be flexible
8:40 Don't rush to speak
11:21 Stay curious

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[Thelinguist]

❓What is the key element in your language learning? Let me know in the comments!

[alo]

6 elements of learning a language.

1. Do not focus on details, focus on patterns
2. Commit to intensity of input
3. Believe you can learn
4. Be flexible
5. Do not be rushed to speak
6. Stay curious

[saidalkiyumi]

You always speak positively about learning languages which encourages people to keep learning, even though who sometimes get frustration.

[rebeccamiko]

How much better our world would be if we stayed curious about others, and found a way to make them less "foreign" to us.

As always, great advice, Steve!

[Watschelinka]

I think my key elements are discipline and curiosity.

Some days I have to force myself to start my daily lesson but after 1 minute or so I'm fully in. Even if I just watch a video in my target language I never skip my daily input.

And I discovered when I switch between advanced and easy stuff it's more rewarding. Once a week or a month I look for a short video, article or text which is really above my current level. And then I work myself through this content, often with the help of Lingq. Sometimes I need 3 days to get through a text, but I stick to it. And when I finish, it's so so rewarding. And afterswards I treat myself with content at a lower level and I speed through it because it's a lot more easier now. Second reward 😅.

And for friends of the italian language: The channel geopop italia here on youtube is awesome for this method and my current favorite ❤

(Sorry for the long text and errors. Very passionate non-native speaker.)

[annettemcnabb]

I love your honest approach to language learning. The fact that you have knowledge in 20 different languages some extremely well spoken and others are a work in progress is so refreshing! I love that you are so real in the fact that when it's not our native language there will be mistakes to some degree and that is OK and NORMAL the point is to communicate.

That is a fantastic message for some people(me included). I'm not sure if there has been a bit of criticism but if that is the case, in my mind, they don't know what they are talking about and just looking to find something, someone to criticize! You are one of the few people I have found on the internet who is just so real about language learning, it's a fantastic message.

[CsabiEnglishCoach]

I love everything you mentioned, Steve. Many people forget that it's our habits - habits of thinking and habits of behaviour - that ultimately shape how fast we achieve our goals. I personally stopped striving to speak the languages I'm learning like a native speaker and focused more on the habits and beliefs of a successful learner who gets as close to speaking like a native speaker as humanly possible.

[vxpskdk]

I've watched many of Steve's videos, and I found this one to be one of his best! I really enjoyed it. Thank you Steve.

[lizzethmancilla]

Steve I love you so much, you really help me to continue putting all my effort into this journey.You're a great inspiration❤

[heredia]

It's always a pleasure to hear advices from a person who knows. God bless you.

[Atomic-]

I love your thoughts about learning languages just for learning about another culture, that's brilliant and relaxed my anxious about learning English, because I was told frequently that I should be good at speaking in English for several years, and that should be the final aim of learning English, while I just want to use it as a key for my trial in English books and great videos, to see how other people in this world to live, and find my way to achieve a peace and meaningful life.

[zbttmot]

Steve for us you have achieved alot of success and you are a role model for us .I am also currently learning french and I like your method of learning, reading and listening not classroom setup grammar

[JohnKaman]

Steve this is the best language learning advice I have ever read. I have been skeptical of you in the past but I was wrong. Thank you for your advice.

[larsiselid]

One of the best you and no one made about the keys to learning. Summarizes all you need to know to start learning in the right direction.

[mirandanullaria]

Great video. I often tire out hearing bunk advice or people just repeating what Krashen has already said (which I agree with & maybe needs repetition to stick), so I found the positive attitudes & habits really helpful

[simonsmatthew]

Japanese was the first foreign language I learned. I think what really helped me with that was really understanding the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs. It was never explained properly to me for ages, until I found someone and a text book that did. I finally could get the verbs sorted out and which ones to use when, and constructing Japanese sentences with the correct particles became so much easier!

[seanlewellyn]

Thank you for this video! Your advice is always so helpful and encouraging!

[AhmedAhmed-nttx]

انا جداً جداً سعيد لانك احسك رجل كبير فاهم ومتعلم ومثل خالي أو عمي واتمنى أيضاً تكون المقاطع فيها ترجمة في العربي

[chrisbunka]

As someone who used to teach ESL in Temecula and lived in Murrieta, I am very happy you mentioned Temecula in your video! I finally signed up for LinQ because I intend to brush up on my Korean, and I am loving reading intermediate-level articles and listening to podcasts even if I don't comprehend everything. As someone who mastered Japanese in the 90s, I am very happy to see your Japanese-related videos!

[AntonioGiglio]

I don't joke... with your work, wonderful work, you have save my 'relantioship" with the english language. Thank! The journey go on.