I have done much researching on the best way to learn new languages, so allOW ME TO SHARE WITH YOU THE GREAT WONDERS THAT I HAVE DISCOVERED ON MY JOURNEY TO LEARN JAPANESE, AND HOPEFULLY LEARN KOREAN, GERMAN, AND ARABIC SOON!*wooh glitter everywhere*
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Anki is awesome. The interface isn't too appealing, but it gets the job done, and
it gets it done good. I forgot the exact name of this type of system, but basically it's like advanced flashcards. Instead of just studying the same words over and over again like normal flash cards, it only reviews the cards that you actually need to go over. So instead of wasting your time on reviewing a word you already perfectly know, it spaces out the cards that need to review the most and the least.
Here's a tutorial video on the main basics of Anki (even if you're not learning Spanish, it's still relevant):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5ccduvnGZ0
There may be a better totural video, but that video worked fine with teaching me. You have to pay for Anki on a mobile device, but it's free on the PC.
-Have you discovered
Memrise, my dear friend? I wouldn't use it as my #1 source, but it was always my 2nd or 3rd way of learning a new language. The courses are made by the community, meaning you have a lot to choose from. It's not only for learning languages, too! (You can also get it on mobile)
-There's
Busuu as well. I never used Busuu, but I don't think it's half bad. Try it! (I think it's on mobile as well)
-AND BEHOLD, IF YOU ARE LEARNING JAPANESE, THEN ALLOW ME TO SHARE WITH YOU MY #1 SOURCE THAT HAS TAUGHT ME THE WAYS OF LIFE AND BEYOND
(okay maybe that's an exaggeration but wutevr), I PRESENT TO YOU: HUMAN JAPANESE!
It has a nice layout, it's available on many different technology thingies, it's got quizzes/tests, it goes beyond just the language and into the culture and geography as well, it has grade A explanations, and if you master the first part then you can download a second part as well. The only thing is that it costs money, but it is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better and way cheaper than anything Rosetta stone can ofter (BTW, I don't recommend Rosetta Stone, but that's just me). I got it on my iPhone for $10, but like I said, it's available on many different technology thingies, including the computer. What I normally did was I learned the next things that Human Japanese had to teach, then I would make my own notes (which I'll talk about in a few paragraphs), and then I would branch onto my other sources, like Memrise, and update the new stuff I learned in Anki.
Human Japanese is bae <3
and even though this sounded like an advertisement or something, no, I am not sponsored by anything in this post... xD
[And also, here's an awesome website with games for learning Japanese.]
Anywhoozies, now I'm gonna talk about some mobile apps:
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LextTalk is AMAZING for practicing conversations. It has a dozen different languages. You can talk to almost anyone.
-Also, for Japanese, I recommend
Tae Kim's Guide to Learning Japanese. I compare it to Human Japanese, except it not's as expansive and I have to admit that the interface isn't so pretty, but still, it's smart! It was my 2nd/3rd source. I'm pretty sure it's free too.
-Again for Japanese:
Kanji Flow and
Imiwa? are good for searching and stuff.
And lastly, I have a tip on writing notes: USE MNEMONICS! In fact, some people may already be using mnemonics without realizing it.
For those who didn't know already: definition of mnemonic:
" /nəˈmänik/
noun 1. device such as a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that assists in remembering something.
adjective 1. aiding or designed to aid the memory. "
(look it up on Google to see a better layout of the definition)
[Here's a good website for a Japanese example on mnemonics.]
Mnemonics are especially good if you're learning a language that doesn't use the Roman alphabet. It was nearly impossible for me to learn Japanese without mnemonics, but that's just me. Just use whatever floats your learning boat and doesn't hurl a cannonball towards your mighty ship of knowledge. I'm terrible at explaining, to I think it would be best if you Googled the wondrous uses of mnemonics by yourself.
And lastly, MAKE SURE YOU'RE HAVING FUN. If you're going to feel stressed out and bored when learning a new language, then you're never gonna learn anything! HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
-I feel like there was more I meant to say in this, but oh well, I dun gud anyway. Sorry for any mistakes, I was pumped while writing this. And also, sorry for having a lot of Japanese stuff in this, I haven't started on any other language than Japanese. Hopefully I'll get to Korean or German soon.
And might I just add that it took me an hour and a half to write this post because my internet is so TERRIBLE OH MY LORD HELP MY INTERNET IS THE WORST