How to learn a new language by yourself?

[Itsmeirem]

I would like to learn French without taking language classes. What is the best way to learn a new language at home? How long does it take to learn?

[SeryCoola]

The fastest way is to live in the country where they speak the language you are trying to learn. You could pick up some basics from books or Duolingo, but if you are looking to learn a new language fast, you have to talk with someone exclusively in that language. At first you will talk with your hands, but quickly enough you will pick up some words that you could use in conversations. Real example, most of my colleagues who went with the Erasmus programme as exchange students, ended up learning the new language and being able to sustain conversations in less than a month, if not less.

[Levin]

You need to speak it 'rather' than 'study' it.

There's something in the skill of recall, or being able to verbalise and actually converse that uses your brain in a very specific way.

I recommend Pimsleur as it actually gets you speaking it.

[Account]

No matter how much progress you can do on your own, you need to actually find someone to talk to, otherwise you won't learn.
I can sort of understand Spanish and Italian for example and I can figure out a written passage, but I cannot for the life of me speak those without confusing them to each other. Even basic stuff.

[purplepoppy]

Truth is you can't. There's plenty of good books, apps, and videos but without the help of a tutor or native speaker it's easy to get confused. If you don't want lessons the best thing is to follow a course like duolingo and find someone you can ask when things aren't clear.

[UnicornLobotomy]

Throw away the key and lock the door from the outside. Immersion, talk to people who speak it fluently and try to only speak it. Watch movies with English subtitles, listen to their music, eat at those restaurants, don’t worry about how bad you’re speaking it and ask how to say it right. Use Youtube and translator apps, text in their language and speech to text in their language. Move there or go to a part of the city where they are often and with someone fluent.

[SweetJoyGirl]

Work books and online resources.

I would also suggest meeting up with people who also know or are learning French. So, like a French club. Learning it is one thing, but being able to speak, as well as understanding it, is another thing.

Le français n'est pas facile. Bonne chance! 💜

[thearchjoker]

that's the sad part, you don't. If you truly want to learn a language get a professional to teach you. also make sure your professional is the same sex as you. the reason for that is that men taught by women how to speak a langue tend to speak it with overly high pitches while women taught by a man speak the language with overly low pitches

[strateguy632]

Use an app.

I used duolingo for Spanish.

You would need to motivate yourself to do the lessons and read the stories and answer questions. If "not study daily", it won't work.

[OlderAndWiser]

You can buy language lessons on CDs (and I'm sure in other digital formats) and play it on your car radio when you are commuting. It's a great use of the time.

[rachel776]

Pimsleur is the best, $21/mo.

[ZS007]

pick up a book, watch educational vids, watch series in the language you wanna learn, practice practice practice

[Radiate143]

Go to the country where they speak that language.

Get a visa for an extended stay.

Force yourself to integrate into the local culture.

Then study it after that formally.

[paledreams]

I think it's very hard - I never mastered Italian and I did that as a subject for years on years - granted that was school and I didn't really feel like I was taking onboard

[paledreams]

Ah well. Maths was never my point either. Sigh

[thegreenyogi]

I am currently learning French with an app that is called " Duolingo" and there are many others on the net if you search and it's free.

[12karen]

Read books, watch movies and use a dictionary, That's how I learned English, it started with translating songs, reading short texts, watching movies with subtiles...

[12karen]

Or Duolingo

[ProbablyClueless]

There are lots of phone apps and such that you can use to learn languages.

[Nikki1989]

There are many websites that can help you with that.

[Quidthonian]

Find a native speaker, befriend them, and speak in French.

[seviyorummm]

I think it will be useful to watch movies with subtitles. 🫠

[Crazzyyworld]

you can find tutorial in YouTube. I find it helpful

[Cheerfull009]

I know 5 languages for few I attended class, rest meeting people

[robocop666]

Pimsleur and Michel Thomas, best in the world.

[Agape93]

Practice and immersion

[itsannalee]

Move to the country who speak that language.

[jordynthedecayer99]

Try google translate it tends to help a lot

[DishLady]

Get an app.

[WhitneySnow]

Duolingo

[_Senorita_]

Duolingo app!!

[In_Trance]

Practice