How to Learn a Language Efficiently
Let me ask you a question: what do you think holds language learners back the most from achieving their desired proficiency level? Here are some common answers I hear:
Of course, this list is not exhaustive. There are countless other challenges language learners face. I am here to tell you today that most roadblocks to proficiency stem from the same place: a lack of understanding about Second Language Acquisition (SLA). Without a basic understanding of SLA, your odds of reaching your desired level of proficiency are slim to none.
Don't Get Discouraged
The good news is that my team and I are highly knowledgeable about SLA and we do everything we can to educate people about it. On this page, you will learn the basics of SLA and be introduced to a fun language learning challenge. By participating, you will stay motivated, dedicate more time toward your target language, and use more effective learning methods!
Scroll down to learn more or click here to watch a video that covers the content on this page. If you would like any additional assistance or if you have any questions please contact us.
The CEFR and the Six Levels of Proficiency
Prior to starting the challenge, it is important to understand the CEFR, a widely used system created by the Council of Europe to measure one’s proficiency in terms of reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension abilities in another language.
There are 6 proficiency levels:
• A1 (low beginner)
• A2 (upper beginner)
• B1 (low intermediate)
• B2 (upper intermediate)
• C1 (advanced)
• C2 (very advanced)
Click here to read more about the CEFR scale
How Long it Takes to Reach Each Level
While there is not an exact science to this, I have been able to figure out reasonably accurate estimates by combining my depth of personal experience in the field of Second Language Acquisition with data published by the following sources:
• Cambridge University: click here to learn more
• The Foreign Service Institute: click here to learn more
• The Calgary Board of Education: click here to learn more
Based on those three sources and my personal experience, here is how long it tends to take for people to reach each level. The month/year calculations are based upon someone dedicating 250 hours a year toward their target language (21 hours a month or 5 hours per week.)
How to Spend Your Study Time
See below for details on how to spend your study time. Please note that our learning guides expand upon this in far more detail. They also provide specific resources and instructions for practicing speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar.
This framework is based on someone dedicating 250 hours a year toward their target language. This equates to about 21 hours a month or 5 hours a week. I’m often asked why I chose 250 hours as a guideline. Why not 100 hours? Or why not 500 hours?
The answer is simple: for most people, dedicating 250 hours a year (21 hours a month or 5 hours a week) toward learning another language is manageable assuming you make language learning a priority.
It also hits the “sweet spot” in the sense that you will notice your progress every two months or less by dedicating this amount of time, providing you with extra motivation.
Essential Details On Each Learning Activity
As previously mentioned, the Calgary Language Nerds learning guides provide specific resources and even more detailed instructions for practicing speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar. You can also contact us to book a free consultation for personalized assistance.
Find material that is challenging to listen to. It should not be too easy, nor should it be overwhelmingly difficult. You may use audio-based material or videos, but ensure that subtitles or a transcript is available in your target language. Listen to your selected audio/video multiple times (without the subtitles/transcript first), listening closely to what is being said and looking up words and phrases you did not understand. Write these words and phrases down. Lastly, listen to the audio again once every 72 hours for two weeks.
Do not be surprised if it takes you an hour to consume a few minutes of audio/video. This is normal and it is still time well-spent.
Find material that is challenging for you to understand. It should not be too easy, nor should it be overwhelmingly difficult. Read slowly and be sure to look up new words and phrases in a dictionary or online translator. Write down the new words and phrases that you learn. Reread the text once every 72 hours for two week.
You may either find a language exchange partner using an app such as HelloTalk or hire a private tutor. Another alternative is to practice speaking with someone you know who speaks your target language.
Low-beginners: write short sentences using the words, phrases, and grammar you know.
Mid to high-beginners: write short paragraphs on various topics using the words, phrases, and grammar you know.
Intermediate and advanced: write journal entries and essay-style responses on various topics.
No matter your level, it is crucial to regularly receive corrections and feedback on your writing from an advanced or native speaker. You may ask a private tutor or language exchange partner on an app such as HelloTalk to review your writing. Another alternative is to ask someone in the italki community: https://www.italki.com/community/questions
Lastly, when doing your writing you may not use online translators. You may only use an online or a paper dictionary to look up individual words.
There are plenty of websites and YouTube channels that have grammar explanations and exercises for most widely spoken languages. Alternatively, you may choose to purchase a grammar book for your target language.
Feel free to contact us if you are looking for grammar resources for your target language.
Sample Study Plans
Introducing the 250 Hour Challenge
Anyone can start this challenge at any time, regardless of your level. You will need the following:
This is to keep a record of how many hours you have dedicated toward your target language. Ensure you track how much time you spend on each study/practice activity (speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar.) If you don’t have a way to track your hours in such a way, consider using this.
If you are studying/practicing 250 hours in a year (about 21 hours per month or 5 hours a week), you will learn a lot of new words and phrases. It will be important to have a system in place to track and study the new words you learn in an organized way. If you don’t know how to go about doing so, consider using this.
You will want to ensure you practice speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar. If you would like resources and/or practice exercises for each of those skills, these guides may help you out. There are guides for those learning French, Spanish, German, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, Hindi, and Gujarati. If you are learning a language not listed above and you would like a learning guide for your target language, contact us.
All learning guides come with a habit tracker and vocabulary tracker for your convenience.
Get Started Today!
After having completed your first hour of study, post a progress update on social media with the hashtag #CLN250 and tag @polyglotazren. Good luck on your language learning journey!
