3 Language Learning Hacks

After a month of studying abroad in Paris, I have improved my French by leaps and bounds. Although my immersion program has helped quite a bit, I found that these easy additions that I’ve made to my day have made me learn the language faster than I have ever done before.

I used the idea of critically thinking about the skill set needed and the 80/20 law from 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. 20% of effort concentrated in the right areas will give 80% of the result. Although I find some of the recommendations in his book quite unethical (such as getting a personal assistant from India or another poorer country to do all your work), the book has some really important guiding principles about how to approach “work” in general.

1. Narrow the amount of vocabulary you need by focusing on the most used words in that language.
   When I found out that only 600 French words dominate 90%+ of all French text, my life became so much easier. Instead of trying to learn the entire dictionary, I’ve been focusing exclusively on learning these 600 words. 
   Simply Google “Most Used Words <Language>” and you can find a comprehensive list (often divided into nouns, verbs, and adjectives)! The list that I have been using is this one here.
2. Listen to (news) podcasts in the target language.
   I am a huge fan of podcasts and I listen to them anytime I’m commuting. (Un)luckily in Paris, I live relatively far from my school, so I have about an hour to and from school to listen to podcasts on the metro. Instead of caving into RadioLab or TED Radio Hour or Freakonomics Radio (they are so good), I’ve been listening to Journal en Français Facile, One Thing in a French Day, and News in Slow French.
   The great thing about these podcasts is that I get to be more informed about the world, while learning French throughout. When I first started, I had to play the same part over and over again to understand what was going on in Iran, for example, but now I can get the general idea using regular speed. And they’re all FREE!
3. When you learn a new word, try to use it in real life at least once.
   After taking those 600 words in (which I’m still working on — 5 words a day when I was good and motivated, the number has dropped dramatically since), I find it quite difficult to integrate into my everyday vocabulary. The word felt weird in my mouth, so I just wouldn’t use it. 
   To conquer this obstacle, I decided to challenge myself to use the word at least once after I learn it. It feels super awkward and forced at first (because I would try to get into situations where I would randomly use the word “jaw” in French), but it has really helped my retention and my ability to use it naturally in the future (for example, when I go to the dentist!).

I hope to remember these when I try to take on any other skills — find the best, easiest, and most effective way to learn it.