I know this might sound weird, but I really like learning grammar. The first thing I buy when learning a new language are: grammar and vocabulary books with exercises and then graded readers. It somehow feel great filling in the answers, then checking them and recognising the structures and patterns in the text or speech. Am I the only grammar freak here? But I am not saying I am mastering it, I just love staying it ;).
On the bus to class, or in line for coffee, I'd unlock my phone, scroll, lose 90 seconds, lock it, repeat. Neither window is long enough for a real study session, but together they add up to maybe 30 to 45 minutes a day.
I put flashcards on my home screen as a widget so I literally see a card every time I pull out my phone.
I've been using Glimpse for this. The widget puts a flashcard in front of me at the moment I'd otherwise tap into social media, and I usually choose the card. Because I can drop my class notes or a PDF to generate a deck, I always have something ready to practice when the dead time shows up.
Check out the Glimpse app!
🏷️ Overall Approach
Listen first, then speak — keep it simple and consistent
🏷️ Time & Frequency
~5-8mins daily
Focus on short clips (10-15 lines)
🏷️ Content (Student Mode: HSK 1–4)
* Daily topics: interview, campus, travel, house tour, etc.
* Focus on high-frequency, real-life vocabulary
* Built for comprehensible input → learn what you can understand, not memorize
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📌 Listening (Understand First)
1️⃣ Watch once for context (with/without subtitles)
2️⃣ Slow to 0.7x–0.9x
3️⃣ Loop sentence → listen carefully
4️⃣ Check meaning + note new words
5️⃣ Repeat difficult lines
⸻
📌 Speaking (Use What You Hear)
1️⃣ Loop sentence
2️⃣ Shadow key words
3️⃣ Repeat full sentence from memory
4️⃣ Focus on tone & rhythm
5️⃣ Retell in your own words
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🌏 Why This Works
Instead of forcing HSK memorization, this builds comprehensible input through real scenarios.
You’re not just learning words —
you’re getting used to how Chinese is actually used daily.
That’s what helps the language stick. 🚀
Now that school’s basically finished been thinking back on languages and how differently everyone experienced them. Some people were naturally good at speaking but terrible at listening exams, others could memorise essays but completely panic in orals. Personally, it always felt like you could spend hours learning vocab or grammar just to forget half of it a week later.
I’m curious what other people found hardest over the years confidence, motivation, pronunciation, listening comprehensions, remembering vocab, grammar, or just trying to keep up with everything?
I came across an interesting detail about world boxing champion Usyk’s preparation for his fight on May 23 near the Giza Pyramids. He is running Ukrainian-English bidirectional translation drills using the language learning app Pro͏mova as a form of cognitive training to speed up decision-making in the ring.
The principle sounds universal. You get a word in one language, respond in another, then switch back, gradually increasing the pace. The brain shifts between two codes under pressure, which is supposed to break the classic translation freeze, when you understand a word but cannot retrieve it in real speech.
Polyglots or anyone who has tried speed translation as a technique - what has been your experience? Does it work better than classic flashcards, or is it a niche method only for specific use cases?
I'm an English teacher who's tested most of the popular language apps.
They're either expensive, or the free version is deliberately crippled with hearts and energy bars to push you toward paying.
Most of them feel more like games than actual learning tools.
I believe language learning should be free and genuinely effective — not a monetisation strategy dressed up as education.
What would your dream language learning app actually look like?
What's missing from everything that exists right now?
What do you use? Do you love the app? Please share.
Does grammar really affect your overall language level? I’ve been writing essays, watching content I can understand, reading mostly formal short stories, and taking online tests just for fun. When I look up the CEFR scale, I sometimes see a lower level suggested for me, but then when I read what that level can do, I feel like I can do more than it says. How should I think about this?
My native language is English, and I really want to learn both Spanish and Korean with the goal of one day becoming fluent in both. Is it okay for me to learn both at the same time? I know some say to just put all of your energy on one, and since they are very different languages, I do not see myself mixing up grammar or vocabulary.
Currently at an intermediate level in Chinese and was thinking of picking up either Japanese (started and quit a couple of months ago due to time restraints and my inability to 100% remember hiragana and katakana lol) or Latin. Whatever combo I choose, I will also end up continuing with later on with some uni courses. Anyone ever done this? If so, how did you find it? I heard knowing some Chinese helps with learning Japanese kanji? I know nothing about Latin, but I am very interested in ancient Roman culture and history. I heard Latin is more about reading and translation so I don't expect to be using it to speak to others about their day etc. Is this true? Happy to hear everyone's thoughts. Thanks.
Can anyone tell how can we get free API on multiple languages Or any one who can suggest or provide coding for multiple languages in our web application. Our front end is in react and backend in PHP Laravel. Plz DM .
I have been trying to improve my English for a while now, but i get bored with the traditional methods. the grammar rules, endless exercises, and vocabulary drills just don't keep me interested anymore. ill do them for a few days, but it feels like the same thing over and over again, and then i lose motivation.
i really want to learn, but i cant seem to find a way that actually excites me.
Do you guys know what apps, methods, or resources to make learning English more interesting?
Hi everyone!
I know learning multiple languages at once can be difficult, but I’m really interested in trying. I’m planning to study Mandarin, German, Spanish, and a sign language simultaneously.
I’d love advice from people who’ve learned more than one language at a time:
How did you structure your study routine?
How many languages is realistically manageable?
What resources worked best for you?
My goal is long-term consistency rather than fast fluency. Thanks!
Hi Reddit, I'm a 19-year-old female who just graduated from high school. I have a 4-month-long summer break, so I thought, why not learn a new language? I speak Polish (my first language) and english B2/C1. I studied French and German, but they never interested me. I love asian culture, and I was thinking about learning Korean or Chinese. However, my parents don't get it. They laugh at me whenever I say something about K-pop or Korea. I was actually thinking about going to college to study their regions and learn a language. But they say it's useless and want me to study something different. I was thinking about going to a summer course, or learn myself. but i dont know which language should i choose. maybe i should learn spanish ? what do you think?
Hlo lovely folks! I (18F) wanna learn German and French. I know some pretty basic stuff in French, like mere introductions only, nothing more than that.
I kinda wanna learn some new languages, cuz why not! And thus we land back to the question- how can i learn one, without paying anything.
All suggestions are welcomed!
I’d love to thank every single one of u who helped me out here (:
Really appreciate that!
I've been using Duolingo and it helps with vocabulary and I already know the alphabet, but it's so repetitive with the sentences and it doesn't teach grammar (it doesn't even explain cases!).
For those who are also trying to learn Russian, do you have any tips? My cellphone is already in Russian, it helped me to catch some new words but nothing more than that.