Looking to expand your horizons by learning a new language? Well, there’s no better way to learn how to do something than to get advice from somebody who has done so successfully themselves. To that end, here are 10 language learning tips from Olly Richards, who has done it not once, not twice, but eight times.

  1. Start with short, simple dialogues
    Richards believes that it’s possible to become conversational in a language in just 90 days — as he did with Italian — by starting with reading and listening to stories. But how can you do that when you’re so new to the language that you barely understand a thing? Well, Richards says, “At the beginning, you need to use material that’s really, really simple.”

In the first week or so, even if you just stick to reading the short simple dialogues that you might find in a beginner language learning textbook, you’ll still be exposed to the 100 or 200 or so words that make up 50% of a language.

You can start by making your own simple dialogues with our guide to start speaking, or take these phrase lists as inspiration.

  1. Focus on comprehensible input
    If your goal is learning languages fast, it’s key to familiarize yourself with the concept of comprehensible input, or “the idea that you should read or listen at your level or slightly above.”

So if you’re just starting to learn Spanish, it’s probably too early to watch an entire movie in Spanish. Instead, at every stage of your language learning journey, you’ll want to find material that is just above your level.

Very quickly, you’ll start understanding more than you think and be ready to start reading non-fiction material or stories. By reading, you access everything you need for comprehensible input; you get to study at your own pace while highlighting vocabulary you don’t know. And stories, in particular, are effective because their structures are universally relatable, giving you a base that you already understand.

Beyond that, stories allow you to have an experience, engaging your entire brain in the learning process instead of just the left brain that may be involved when you’re only learning grammar. Learning through stories is more natural, similar to how native speakers learn their own language.

So choose some reading material that you like. If it’s fun, you’ll get it done.

  1. Study pronunciation very early on
    With languages, you can always learn more vocabulary and more grammar, but one thing that you can’t fix later on is pronunciation. That’s why Richards is a “big believer that one of the first things you should do with a new language is really study pronunciation, because it’s much easier to get it right at the beginning than try to fix it later on.”

As Gabriel Wyner says in his book Fluent Forever,

I encountered three basic keys to language learning:

  1. Learn pronunciation first
  2. Don’t translate
  3. Use spaced repetition systems

How can you practice pronunciation? The best way is to learn with native speakers so you can hear how they pronounce things, and then mirror them by repeating the same sounds over and over until they begin to feel natural in your mouth.

Get 20% off your first English lesson
Enter your email address*
Subscribe to Preply, Inc emails for language learning tips and exclusive offers on our services. You can unsubscribe at anytime. See our Privacy Policy for more details

  1. Read wisely, not widely
    Of course, as important as reading is for language learning, not all reading is created equally. Richards offers a few specific keys to reading in a foreign language.

Read the chapter from the beginning to the end and try to understand as much as possible
Go back and reread the chapter
Now you can look up the words that are repeated throughout the chapter
Move on to the next chapter
Repeat
Additionally, there’s value in narrowing the focus of your reading materials. Focus on choosing the right books, ideally some that are related to your hobbies and interests. Olly Richards says, “If you are really into gardening, for example, then look for books on gardening in your target language.”

The idea is to learn things you want to and have intrinsic motivation to understand. Contrary to many common suggestions, Richards actually recommends not using the Harry Potter series to learn a language, as it’s filled with odd vocabulary you’re not going to use in real life — unless you’re a wizard.

Fiction books in English

  1. Start speaking early
    While we’ve focused a lot of tips on input, let’s not forget the critical importance of speaking. After all, when Richards learned Italian in 90 days, he spent his entire second and third months actually speaking Italian.

To that end, if you want to learn a language fast, Richards recommends to already start speaking and having daily conversations in the second month. He explains, “It’s a bit earlier than I would normally recommend, but because we’ve got this goal of speaking quickly, we’ve got to start”.

There are many opportunities to speak a new language even if you can’t travel to a country where that language is spoken. You can opt for attending a language exchange, using a language exchange app with on-the-go speaking tools, or use a service like Preply to take daily one-on-one lessons, or language training for business, with a language tutor .

  1. Immerse yourself in the language
    Once you’ve trained your ability to “get the language out of your mouth and speak it,” you need to start doing the same things as before “on steroids.” The idea is to speak to as many people as possible and get as much language input through reading and listening as you can.

In order to create as much immersion as possible from your home without traveling to a foreign country, you need to find ways to input your target language into your life. As we mentioned above, it can help tremendously to learn around your own interests in order to keep yourself engaged and interested as you learn the language.

For more tips on creating an immersion environment from home, check out this article.

  1. Learn one language at a time
    As a polyglot who has taught himself to speak eight languages, the most common question Richards receives is, “How can I learn more than one language at the same time?”

His advice? “Don’t do it… Let’s face it, learning one language by itself is hard enough, right? And there’s a direct correlation between focus and the amount you learn.” The more focused your learning is, the more time you spend in a language, the faster you’re going to learn. Adding a second language just divides your time and attention.

That being said, if you really just want to learn two languages at the same time and you’re not as focused on speed, Richards encourages you to go for it, as long as you understand “that it’s going to slow you down.” And if you are committed to learning two different languages at once, try to choose two languages that are very different (such as Spanish and Japanese) in order to avoid confusion.

Friends laughing sharing conversation

  1. Focus on real concentrated study… not cheap hacks
    Just like anything that requires hard work, there’s no shortage of myths and shortcuts floating around in the public discourse on learning a language quickly. But the truth is that with language learning, you won’t get results by putting in the minimum amount of effort.

So, can you learn a language while sleeping or is it a waste of time? Richards doesn’t hesitate to answer: “A waste of time.”

Got it… let’s move on.

  1. Turn off the subtitles when watching TV
    Another common “hack” for learning languages is to watch TV and movies in that language. In fact, Richards isn’t such a fan of this as a core language study format. In his opinion, “movies are not a very convenient format” as they’re long and you only see one sentence onscreen at a time, as opposed to a book where it is easy to scan, read, and reread. As such, Richards is not a big fan of movies “as the main study vehicle.”

That being said, if you are going to watch movies or TV in a foreign language as a supplemental learning tool, you’d better turn off the subtitles. Because when you turn the subtitles on, you’re not listening anymore, you’re reading. And if you’re reading a movie in English, you won’t be learning much in a foreign language, will you?

The bottom line? “Don’t be under the illusion that by watching a movie for two hours you are making big progress in your language skills because unfortunately, you’re not.”

  1. Have a strong “Tolerance for ambiguity”
    You might be a bit shocked by the idea that a person can learn a new language to a conversational level in three months. For most of us, it takes much longer. Doesn’t it?

Well, when asked what makes language learning take longer than it should or has to, Richards explains that language learners need to have a strong “tolerance for ambiguity.” This means you have to be okay with the millions of things you don’t understand when learning a language.

If you get caught up by checking every single word in a text that you don’t understand, it’s simply too inefficient and takes too much time.

But when you have a high tolerance for ambiguity, as good language learners do, you can be comfortable being a bit lost. By tolerating ambiguity, we liberate ourselves to keep to the fundamentals, while also being open and curious about the language to learn more.

The biggest mistake you can make is insisting on knowing everything.

Learning a language can take as long as you need
While these ten tips from Richards focus on helping you learn a language at breakneck speed, they’re just as relevant and useful for people who are able and willing to take their time learning their target language.

Because unless you have a good reason to set a goal of learning a new language in 90 days, there’s no reason to stress out too much about learning a language fast. If you have to compete with anybody, compete with the person you were yesterday, not somebody external to you.

Celebrate the small, incremental improvements that are the bread and butter of language learning. After all, the best ways to learn a language are the ones that work for you. So enjoy the process!

213 thoughts on “10 Tips to learn a language fast”

  1. This article is a gem! The insights provided are very valuable. For additional information, check out: DISCOVER MORE. Looking forward to the discussion!

  2. You actually make it appear really easy with your presentation but I
    in finding this topic to be really one thing which I believe I would never understand.
    It sort of feels too complicated and extremely broad
    for me. I’m taking a look ahead on your next submit, I will try
    to get the dangle of it! Lista escape roomów

  3. I don’t think the title of your enticle matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the enticle.

  4. Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist
    with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my website to rank for some targeted
    keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please share.

    Appreciate it! You can read similar article here: Eco bij

  5. sugar defender reviews Discovering Sugar
    Protector has been a game-changer for me, as I have
    actually always been vigilant concerning managing my blood glucose levels.
    I currently feel empowered and confident in my ability to preserve healthy levels, and my newest health checks
    have actually mirrored this progression. Having a credible
    supplement to enhance my a big source of convenience, and I’m absolutely
    happy for the significant distinction Sugar Protector has actually made in my overall health.

  6. I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

  7. Hey there! I simply wish to give you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information you’ve got right here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your site for more soon.

  8. Howdy! I just would like to give you a huge thumbs up for the great information you’ve got right here on this post. I will be coming back to your web site for more soon.

  9. You have made some really good points there. I looked on the web for additional information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.

  10. You are so interesting! I do not suppose I’ve truly read through a single thing like this before. So great to discover another person with some original thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality.

  11. There was confusion as to why the objective was not allowed to face however Boshell removed any doubt as to the validity of the equaliser when he drilled in from the spot”. Information of our subsequent opponents comes from the Oxford Mail. It says that “Oxford United striker James Roberts scored in his first game back from compassionate leave on mortgage at Chester.

  12. I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

  13. After being replaced with Savage Opress for her failures, Ventress returned to the Nightsisters until Normal Grievous led a massacre towards them, which only she and Mother Talzin survived.

  14. Aw, this became quite a nice post. In idea I have to invest writing in this way additionally – taking time and actual effort to produce a top notch article… but so what can I say… I procrastinate alot by no means seem to get something carried out.

  15. Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon every day. It’s always interesting to read through articles from other authors and practice something from other web sites.

  16. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Many thanks, However I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!

  17. Greetings, I do believe your blog could be having internet browser compatibility issues. Whenever I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Other than that, excellent website.

  18. But even Beyoncé is aware of that nice inspiration can be discovered from past artists all through history – when you’re searching for an outfit that screams “Renaissance”, why not lean into the pun with an outfit inspired by artists like Da Vinci and Michaelangelo?

  19. Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?

  20. After exploring a few of the articles on your website, I seriously appreciate your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future. Please check out my website as well and tell me how you feel.

  21. The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won’t disappoint me just as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I genuinely thought you would probably have something helpful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you can fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.

  22. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you, However I am having troubles with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting similar RSS problems? Anyone who knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanx.

  23. Can I simply just say what a relief to uncover somebody that genuinely understands what they’re talking about over the internet. You actually realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people really need to look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular because you certainly possess the gift.

  24. That is a great tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!

  25. You’ve made some decent points there. I checked on the net for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.

  26. A few of probably the most successful decorating themes occur when colours of equal intensity or power are combined; for example, pastels equivalent to pinks and peaches which have a similar lightness or vibrant hues of pink, yellow, and blue that share the same depth.

  27. I blog frequently and I really appreciate your content. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I will bookmark your site and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.

  28. This is a very good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read post!

  29. A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you ought to write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but generally people don’t talk about these topics. To the next! Many thanks!

  30. Howdy, I believe your site could possibly be having web browser compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, fantastic site!

  31. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who has been doing a little homework on this. And he actually bought me lunch simply because I found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this issue here on your internet site.

  32. This is the right site for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic that’s been written about for many years. Excellent stuff, just wonderful.

  33. In addition to the extra widespread problems listed above, there’s a possible for different negative effects reminiscent of blurred imaginative and prescient, halos round lights, elevated light sensitivity and even double vision.

  34. An interesting discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you need to publish more on this subject, it might not be a taboo subject but typically people don’t speak about these issues. To the next! Best wishes.

  35. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody else having similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks.

  36. Hello there! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I most certainly will forward this information to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. I appreciate you for sharing!

  37. Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it.

  38. The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it won’t fail me just as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, nonetheless I actually thought you’d have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you could possibly fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.

  39. I truly love your site.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my own personal website and want to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Thank you.

  40. Hello! I simply would like to offer you a big thumbs up for the excellent information you’ve got right here on this post. I am returning to your website for more soon.

  41. This is the perfect blog for anyone who really wants to understand this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that’s been discussed for many years. Wonderful stuff, just excellent.

  42. Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the challenges. It was truly informative. Your site is very helpful. Many thanks for sharing.

  43. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact bought me dinner due to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this issue here on your web site.

  44. Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back yet again since I saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

  45. Right here is the perfect webpage for anybody who wants to understand this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic that’s been discussed for decades. Excellent stuff, just excellent.

  46. You have made some decent points there. I looked on the web to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.

  47. Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely believe that this web site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read through more, thanks for the info.

  48. Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to make a superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and never seem to get anything done.

  49. Spot on with this write-up, I really believe this web site needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the advice!

  50. Howdy, There’s no doubt that your blog may be having browser compatibility issues. Whenever I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, wonderful site.

  51. Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post! It’s the little changes that will make the biggest changes. Thanks for sharing!

  52. You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I’ve read through anything like this before. So great to discover someone with a few unique thoughts on this issue. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality.

  53. Can I simply say what a relief to find somebody that truly understands what they are discussing online. You certainly understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people have to read this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you are not more popular because you certainly have the gift.

  54. Great web site you have got here.. It’s difficult to find high quality writing like yours these days. I truly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

  55. Shan used the power to stabilise Darth Revan, who was close to dying after his ship had been fired upon in an act of betrayal by his apprentice Darth Malak.

  56. I blog frequently and I seriously thank you for your content. Your article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your website and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.

  57. The federal authorities has lately bought greater than 1,000,000 doses for women who are coated by Medicaid, and a few states are paying for it themselves and providing it for free, including Texas (which has made vaccination with Gardasil mandatory for women), Washington and New Hampshire.

  58. The very next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not fail me just as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read through, but I truly believed you would have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something you could fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.

  59. However essentially the most distinguished gauge- and perhaps the most important, not less than by way of how many instances you have a look at it whereas you are driving- is the speedometer.

  60. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something which too few people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I came across this in my search for something concerning this.

  61. Provide theories are based on the neo-Keynesian value-push mannequin and attribute stagflation to important disruptions to the supply side of the availability-demand market equation, akin to when there’s a sudden real or relative scarcity of key commodities, pure resources, or pure capital wanted to produce items and companies.

  62. I blog often and I truly thank you for your information. The article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your Feed too.

  63. After I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a means you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks.

  64. sex nhật hiếp dâm trẻ em ấu dâm buôn bán vũ khí ma túy bán súng sextoy chơi đĩ sex bạo lực sex học đường tội phạm tình dục chơi les đĩ đực người mẫu bán dâm

  65. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you ought to publish more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but generally folks don’t discuss these issues. To the next! Kind regards!

  66. I’m more than happy to discover this site. I need to to thank you for your time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every bit of it and i also have you saved to fav to look at new stuff on your blog.

  67. This is the right webpage for anyone who really wants to understand this topic. You understand a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject which has been written about for ages. Wonderful stuff, just excellent.

  68. Detained immigrants throughout three ICE amenities in New Jersey organized a hunger strike with 86 individuals being held in an ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey hunger putting and demanding their release given the shortcoming to curb the spread of COVID-19 within the facility.

  69. In short, China’s hardware industry after restorative rapid growth in 2010, most economic operation indicators have been signs of growth is slowing down in 2011.

  70. Hi there, There’s no doubt that your web site could be having browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, excellent site.

  71. Good post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always helpful to read articles from other authors and use a little something from their sites.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *