Spanish is the first language I’m currently learning. Once I get to a comfortable B1-B2 level, I’ll start with German. I do book/computer learning 4 times per week, the other 3 days I review my notes and things I learned that weeks and I do graded reading or read online blog/news. I watch 1 RUclips video or podcast everyday. I find limiting new learning to Monday-Friday and review Saturday-Sunday helps not overwhelm me and retain the new learning. And the daily podcast or video gives me input everyday. I figure that when I start with German next year, I’ll still read a book or watch video in Spanish daily. I live in a city with a lot of spanish speakers.
John Tyler at a very comfortable/high b2 with my Spanish now and started learning Japanese a couple months back, I've found the best way to not maintain but slowly still improve my Spanish is read 30 minutes first thing in morning then watch 2episodes of a telenovela in the evening, good luck with your Spanish and German
It's a question of honesty in priorities and honesty in expectations. The only things you HAVE TO DO are sleeping and eating/drinking (otherwise you die), EVERYTHING else is a choice. There is nothing wrong with prioritizing something else than language learning, you just need to be honest about it to be able to better deal with it. Language learning, like every skill in life, takes time. Depending on your goal (proficiency level), you will need a certain amount of time overall. You can compress or stretch out this needed time VOLUME over different time SPANS, but you can't cut off from the volume. I.e. if you need 10 hours (volume) to learn something, you can put those 10 hours into one week (~1.5h/d) or one month (1h every 3 days). You shouldn't stretch out the volume too much because at some point, the frequency is too low for your brain to recognize the learned information as important and it won't build the neuronal connections to store and connect that information. Below three times a week, it starts to become noticeably less effective, and learning only once a week or less is basically a waste of time. So yes, you don't need to learn/study every day to make progress, just don't expect to get the same results in terms of progress speed as if you did learn/study every day. In the end, your priorities are your choice and the result will be the result of that choice. I agree with the video on trying to do "something" every day. If you only want to prioritize 90 minutes every third day, then at least do 15 minutes of something (i.e. quick revision, listening to target language, watching the news etc.) on those other two days to show your brain that the language is important to your life. If you "can't find" even 15 minutes a day, you don't really want to learn the language and there is no need to lie about it to yourself (or others).
Thanks for discussing our conversation in this video Robin. Really interesting to hear your thoughts. I think I’ll reshuffle my daily and weekly goals. Keep up the good work, mate!
Robin, you are a gift to mankind! I am doing your 3-tiered learning system, using your note-taking system. My studies have definitely improved. They help me to focus and study every day. Thanks for all the encouragement you give us!
Thanks so much for the lovely comment, Irene! I'm just so glad that you are getting lots of value from my videos and my book! I really appreciate your support! 🙏🏼
I’m studying three languages. Spanish is most important because I’m retired in Mexico. My mornings are dedicated to a couple hours of Spanish Duolingo, podcasts, grammar, and videos. After lunch, It’s French, using the same types of resources as I do for Spanish, but I spend less time on French. If it ever gets safe to travel again, I will bump it up because I had intended to spend a few months in France this summer and am still looking forward to doing that. Then, after an early dinner, I switch to Italian for about an hour. I actually used to know more Italian than I do now, but life got in the way and I forgot a lot, so this is really a lot of review right now. After my trip to France, I will spend more time on Italian and less on French. I know it seems like a lot but it is really 4-5 hours a day, which is nothing during this “lockdown” time. It keeps me from getting bored. But if something comes up that I need or want to do, I don’t stress over missing my language study. There’s always tomorrow.
Mmm, I stick to the everyday-style, for my main TL, anyway. I try to get in two hours every day, or at least one. It's not a biggie if I miss a day, though. I also feel like there is some retention benefit when you take a break from something and then come back and refresh the information.
This is great and whilst I agree that it's OK to spread one's activities throughout the week, I actually find it easier to build a daily routine. I also have a lot of things to do during the day but I have quite a disciplined (and fun) routine. I am currently learning Scottish Gaelic and German, as well as being a musician, a martial artist and have a strong interest in spirituality and history. I start each day with a short workout and after breakfast I spend 30 minutes (or more) on German. Then I have a few hours to work on music and other things. In the late afternoon I have a martial arts workout and after dinner I spend some time on Gaelic. In the evenings I work on perfecting my guitar skills. It seems like a lot but because of my structured routine, everything flows quite easily. I even have time to get a couple of movies in each day ;)
I study the same three languages as your client. French I study daily, and Japanese Spanish 3-4 days a week, or depends on how many days I have lessons for that particular language with online tutors. So it makes it just two languages a day. Easy on myself and no stress at all. For my B1/2 french I just read some newspaper which is enough to maintain it. My A2 Spanish and A1 Japanese require much more active study. I am also starting Latin this week 😊
I really appreciate your point of view. I have made a habit of, at minimum, doing my apps(Duolingo, Memrise, etc., every day, so I can at least keep my toes in the pool. And then have days where there is an hour or two of focused learning on any one of my languages. Thanks for sharing.
I guess the ideal situation is learning in an everyday basis but when it’s not possible “no pasa nada”... but at least every two days I would say (to have a considerable progress). Great video buddy
I've learned Russian for 2-4 hours everyday, seven days a week, for three years. I've pursposely taken a full day off three times, and getting back the next day, there was SOOOO much clarity. I feel like I wasted so much time. With language learning, less is more. One hour a day, every other day would have been so much more beneficial. . My life is nearly 100% leisure, so I find it really hard to stay away from the learning, even knowing that its not good for me. Sigh
I tend to try and study my focus language for 40-45 minutes in the morning most days, and cycle through my other languages for 20-25 minutes in the afternoon as I have time (just one language a day). So I did my 45 minutes of Spanish this morning today, and will do about 20 minutes of Esperanto this afternoon, while tomorrow it will be Mandarin.
I started to do Esperanto on Duolingo to pass time but it seemed like I would never have a use for it. What made you decide to learn it? Where resources are you using?
It's interesting because of its history, and if you speak any other Romance or Germanic language it's a breeze to pick up. I've used Duolingo and Teach Yourself Complete Esperanto mostly, and it's all I've really needed
I think I'll implement this when my German reaches my Italian and I start to study both. I'll prioritize German on weekdays and learn Italian on the weekends. Thanks!
@@MegaNordkapp Well, you should let them study whatever they want, though. I don't think it's supportive to tell someone "how about not studying the languages you are learning?"
I don’t want to be “ supportive”, I want to find answers on my questions . And by the way you are telling me what should I ask and what not . Are you supportive in finding answers to my question ? What you are writing is “ how about not asking questions you are asking “.
Definitely do not study all 5 of my languages everyday! Once I get in the mindset of one, I don’t want to switch into another. Max is 1-2 that I study a lot everyday, with possible minimal maintenance for the others. The priority languages just depend on my mood and usually whatever is most relevant to my life at the moment!
Unrelated to the video, but which resources do/did you use for GERMAN? I know you use babbel app, I would really like to know which other resource you use(d) as a beginner on German:) There are tones of resources and i feel my self here and there,everywhere 😖😩
Hey Robin. I love these videos so much. They've become a part of my daily routine. I have two questions if you don't mind. First, when do you think it is appropriate to start reading in a new language? Should it be exhausting at first? Like I have to translate almost everything and it makes enjoying the story impossible. Second, I think it is a great idea to journal or write short stories. I can use a dictionary to correct the vocabulary, but how do I correct the grammar/voicing? I don't know anyone that speaks Persian :( Thanks! If anyone else has found methods that work for them, please share
I start reading from day 1 (on LingQ) and I keep doing that until I’ve reached a large enough passive vocabulary and then focus more on listening and speaking. It’s a pretty simple strategy but easy to keep going since it’s so straightforward. Learning enough passive vocabulary can take 1-2 years. Ps, I should say that you have to start reading very very easy material or it will feel more like flashcards and be incredibly slow moving (and inefficient). I just started the beginning stage for Arabic and I forgot how slow the first steps can be.
Haha Esther I think Armand is referring to a popular book called "Automate The Boring Stuff With Python" about automating all kinds of things as a nice introduction to the Python programming language. It's one of the books on my bookshelf!
I notice that in both your case and your client's case, the plan was to study the same language for a few consecutive days, then switch to another language. Is there any reason you didn't plan on alternating languages or suggest that for your client, such as German on Monday, then Chinese on Tuesday, etc.? Or was it just a convenient way to look at it?
Hey Josh, great to see you! Good question! Yes this was actually the first thing we experimented with when I was helping my client. We found that it was difficult to build up momentum by switching every day. Often, he would be getting really into the story of a book, or would feel that he wanted/needed to continue building momentum the next day, and so it was a little frustrating to feel like he only got one day and then had to switch contexts. We found that this 3/3/1 split was perfect because it allowed him to really accomplish a lot with one language in three days, where the third day could also sometimes serve as a review day, and the system was also flexible with that one free day at the end which allowed him to either have 4 consecutive days of Spanish or 4 consecutive days of French. It honestly just came together so beautifully like that and felt so much more organic.
@@RobinMacPhersonFilms I figured it had something to do with momentum, but I wondered what the results were if you tried it the alternating way. Your idea isn't as intuitive but it clearly works great, so I'm gonna put it to use. Thanks a lot for this video, and all of your others for that matter.
how do think the rhythm of the language would be best acquired ? I had this question when I heard how Spanish sounds differently from Spanish speaking country to another
Thanks for the video, especially about the 3 tier system. And you also made me realise that it's still possible to do quite a few things during the week. I'm also a data scientist (with SAS) so if you have any questions, just ask!
@@joshweber988 porque me estoy refiriendo a cantidad (3 idiomas ) Se utiliza ' más que ' en caso de comparaciones, por ejemplo: " soy más fuerte que ella " ...
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
So glad the algorithm brought me to your channel! Amazing content 😊🙌 I'm studying spanish right now and your videos have been so helpful!
Yay I'm so glad that my videos have been helpful to you, Aqilah! Thanks for the encouraging comment and support! 😄 🙌
Good ,I m learning Spanish as well.
I'm so glad to be brought too !
Robin MacPherson you’re very welcome 🌸☺️
I feel you, I really manage to make a time to actually watch all of his videos little by little.
Spanish is the first language I’m currently learning. Once I get to a comfortable B1-B2 level, I’ll start with German. I do book/computer learning 4 times per week, the other 3 days I review my notes and things I learned that weeks and I do graded reading or read online blog/news. I watch 1 RUclips video or podcast everyday. I find limiting new learning to Monday-Friday and review Saturday-Sunday helps not overwhelm me and retain the new learning. And the daily podcast or video gives me input everyday. I figure that when I start with German next year, I’ll still read a book or watch video in Spanish daily. I live in a city with a lot of spanish speakers.
John Tyler at a very comfortable/high b2 with my Spanish now and started learning Japanese a couple months back, I've found the best way to not maintain but slowly still improve my Spanish is read 30 minutes first thing in morning then watch 2episodes of a telenovela in the evening, good luck with your Spanish and German
What about not Indo-European languages ?
I love this guy,. I've bee studying English for almost 2 years, 2 years waiting to LEARN JAPANESE, God damnit.
It's a question of honesty in priorities and honesty in expectations. The only things you HAVE TO DO are sleeping and eating/drinking (otherwise you die), EVERYTHING else is a choice. There is nothing wrong with prioritizing something else than language learning, you just need to be honest about it to be able to better deal with it. Language learning, like every skill in life, takes time. Depending on your goal (proficiency level), you will need a certain amount of time overall. You can compress or stretch out this needed time VOLUME over different time SPANS, but you can't cut off from the volume. I.e. if you need 10 hours (volume) to learn something, you can put those 10 hours into one week (~1.5h/d) or one month (1h every 3 days). You shouldn't stretch out the volume too much because at some point, the frequency is too low for your brain to recognize the learned information as important and it won't build the neuronal connections to store and connect that information. Below three times a week, it starts to become noticeably less effective, and learning only once a week or less is basically a waste of time.
So yes, you don't need to learn/study every day to make progress, just don't expect to get the same results in terms of progress speed as if you did learn/study every day. In the end, your priorities are your choice and the result will be the result of that choice. I agree with the video on trying to do "something" every day. If you only want to prioritize 90 minutes every third day, then at least do 15 minutes of something (i.e. quick revision, listening to target language, watching the news etc.) on those other two days to show your brain that the language is important to your life. If you "can't find" even 15 minutes a day, you don't really want to learn the language and there is no need to lie about it to yourself (or others).
9,000 its about time. You should be at 100,000 you are that good. Congrats.
Thanks Billy!!! Ahhh I can't imagine having 100,000, that would be just amazing. I'm glad you think I can get there 💪🏼
I always find that after a holiday from my otherwise daily practice, I know the language better and make leaps that I've been struggling with
I think that the most important thing is establishing a schedule that allows you to maintain consistency!
Thanks for discussing our conversation in this video Robin. Really interesting to hear your thoughts. I think I’ll reshuffle my daily and weekly goals. Keep up the good work, mate!
Your vids are amazing i can’t wait for you to grow even more
Thanks so much @Next Lifetime! 😄
Robin, you are a gift to mankind! I am doing your 3-tiered learning system, using your note-taking system. My studies have definitely improved. They help me to focus and study every day. Thanks for all the encouragement you give us!
Thanks so much for the lovely comment, Irene! I'm just so glad that you are getting lots of value from my videos and my book! I really appreciate your support! 🙏🏼
I’m studying three languages. Spanish is most important because I’m retired in Mexico. My mornings are dedicated to a couple hours of Spanish Duolingo, podcasts, grammar, and videos. After lunch, It’s French, using the same types of resources as I do for Spanish, but I spend less time on French. If it ever gets safe to travel again, I will bump it up because I had intended to spend a few months in France this summer and am still looking forward to doing that. Then, after an early dinner, I switch to Italian for about an hour. I actually used to know more Italian than I do now, but life got in the way and I forgot a lot, so this is really a lot of review right now. After my trip to France, I will spend more time on Italian and less on French. I know it seems like a lot but it is really 4-5 hours a day, which is nothing during this “lockdown” time. It keeps me from getting bored. But if something comes up that I need or want to do, I don’t stress over missing my language study. There’s always tomorrow.
Mmm, I stick to the everyday-style, for my main TL, anyway. I try to get in two hours every day, or at least one. It's not a biggie if I miss a day, though. I also feel like there is some retention benefit when you take a break from something and then come back and refresh the information.
This is great and whilst I agree that it's OK to spread one's activities throughout the week, I actually find it easier to build a daily routine. I also have a lot of things to do during the day but I have quite a disciplined (and fun) routine. I am currently learning Scottish Gaelic and German, as well as being a musician, a martial artist and have a strong interest in spirituality and history. I start each day with a short workout and after breakfast I spend 30 minutes (or more) on German. Then I have a few hours to work on music and other things. In the late afternoon I have a martial arts workout and after dinner I spend some time on Gaelic. In the evenings I work on perfecting my guitar skills. It seems like a lot but because of my structured routine, everything flows quite easily. I even have time to get a couple of movies in each day ;)
I study the same three languages as your client. French I study daily, and Japanese Spanish 3-4 days a week, or depends on how many days I have lessons for that particular language with online tutors. So it makes it just two languages a day. Easy on myself and no stress at all. For my B1/2 french I just read some newspaper which is enough to maintain it. My A2 Spanish and A1 Japanese require much more active study. I am also starting Latin this week 😊
I really appreciate your point of view. I have made a habit of, at minimum, doing my apps(Duolingo, Memrise, etc., every day, so I can at least keep my toes in the pool. And then have days where there is an hour or two of focused learning on any one of my languages. Thanks for sharing.
I guess the ideal situation is learning in an everyday basis but when it’s not possible “no pasa nada”... but at least every two days I would say (to have a considerable progress). Great video buddy
I've learned Russian for 2-4 hours everyday, seven days a week, for three years. I've pursposely taken a full day off three times, and getting back the next day, there was SOOOO much clarity. I feel like I wasted so much time. With language learning, less is more. One hour a day, every other day would have been so much more beneficial.
.
My life is nearly 100% leisure, so I find it really hard to stay away from the learning, even knowing that its not good for me. Sigh
I tend to try and study my focus language for 40-45 minutes in the morning most days, and cycle through my other languages for 20-25 minutes in the afternoon as I have time (just one language a day). So I did my 45 minutes of Spanish this morning today, and will do about 20 minutes of Esperanto this afternoon, while tomorrow it will be Mandarin.
I started to do Esperanto on Duolingo to pass time but it seemed like I would never have a use for it. What made you decide to learn it? Where resources are you using?
It's interesting because of its history, and if you speak any other Romance or Germanic language it's a breeze to pick up. I've used Duolingo and Teach Yourself Complete Esperanto mostly, and it's all I've really needed
I think I'll implement this when my German reaches my Italian and I start to study both. I'll prioritize German on weekdays and learn Italian on the weekends. Thanks!
What about not Indo-European languages ?
@@MegaNordkapp Well, you should let them study whatever they want, though. I don't think it's supportive to tell someone "how about not studying the languages you are learning?"
I don’t want to be “ supportive”, I want to find answers on my questions . And by the way you are telling me what should I ask and what not . Are you supportive in finding answers to my question ? What you are writing is “ how about not asking questions you are asking “.
@@MegaNordkappI see what you mean - but I think you should let them choose.
@@MegaNordkapp Sorry for the misunderstanding!
Definitely do not study all 5 of my languages everyday! Once I get in the mindset of one, I don’t want to switch into another. Max is 1-2 that I study a lot everyday, with possible minimal maintenance for the others. The priority languages just depend on my mood and usually whatever is most relevant to my life at the moment!
Unrelated to the video, but which resources do/did you use for GERMAN? I know you use babbel app, I would really like to know which other resource you use(d) as a beginner on German:) There are tones of resources and i feel my self here and there,everywhere 😖😩
You know what doesn’t help you study a language?
Watching RUclips videos about learning a language.
Hey Robin. I love these videos so much. They've become a part of my daily routine. I have two questions if you don't mind.
First, when do you think it is appropriate to start reading in a new language? Should it be exhausting at first? Like I have to translate almost everything and it makes enjoying the story impossible.
Second, I think it is a great idea to journal or write short stories. I can use a dictionary to correct the vocabulary, but how do I correct the grammar/voicing? I don't know anyone that speaks Persian :(
Thanks! If anyone else has found methods that work for them, please share
You can connect to people who speak persian at sites like lingQ or Italki
I start reading from day 1 (on LingQ) and I keep doing that until I’ve reached a large enough passive vocabulary and then focus more on listening and speaking. It’s a pretty simple strategy but easy to keep going since it’s so straightforward. Learning enough passive vocabulary can take 1-2 years.
Ps, I should say that you have to start reading very very easy material or it will feel more like flashcards and be incredibly slow moving (and inefficient). I just started the beginning stage for Arabic and I forgot how slow the first steps can be.
What graded reader for Mandarin are you reading?
What language would you recommend for automating the boring stuff?
I don’t understand this question
Python! 😄
Haha Esther I think Armand is referring to a popular book called "Automate The Boring Stuff With Python" about automating all kinds of things as a nice introduction to the Python programming language. It's one of the books on my bookshelf!
@@RobinMacPhersonFilms You nailed it.
I notice that in both your case and your client's case, the plan was to study the same language for a few consecutive days, then switch to another language. Is there any reason you didn't plan on alternating languages or suggest that for your client, such as German on Monday, then Chinese on Tuesday, etc.? Or was it just a convenient way to look at it?
Hey Josh, great to see you! Good question! Yes this was actually the first thing we experimented with when I was helping my client. We found that it was difficult to build up momentum by switching every day. Often, he would be getting really into the story of a book, or would feel that he wanted/needed to continue building momentum the next day, and so it was a little frustrating to feel like he only got one day and then had to switch contexts.
We found that this 3/3/1 split was perfect because it allowed him to really accomplish a lot with one language in three days, where the third day could also sometimes serve as a review day, and the system was also flexible with that one free day at the end which allowed him to either have 4 consecutive days of Spanish or 4 consecutive days of French. It honestly just came together so beautifully like that and felt so much more organic.
@@RobinMacPhersonFilms I figured it had something to do with momentum, but I wondered what the results were if you tried it the alternating way. Your idea isn't as intuitive but it clearly works great, so I'm gonna put it to use. Thanks a lot for this video, and all of your others for that matter.
Jon Snow?
A sugestion : how can better learn japanese? I can 6 languages.stepping on arabic japanese and mandarin
Do you operate Rosettastone?
how do think the rhythm of the language would be best acquired ? I had this question when I heard how Spanish sounds differently from Spanish speaking country to another
Thanks for the video, especially about the 3 tier system.
And you also made me realise that it's still possible to do quite a few things during the week.
I'm also a data scientist (with SAS) so if you have any questions, just ask!
I like your videos.
What's your full time job?
Rude in most languages
Hola ! En realidad es difícil encontrar el tiempo, sobre todo cuando estudias mas de 3 idiomas . Happy weekend!
@@joshweber988 saludos es " más de" soy nativa en el idioma... Igual gracias por leerme😉
@@alobo_78 ¿Por que usas "más de" en esta ocasión?
@@joshweber988 porque me estoy refiriendo a cantidad (3 idiomas ) Se utiliza ' más que ' en caso de comparaciones, por ejemplo: " soy más fuerte que ella " ...
@@alobo_78 Ahhhh. Gracias por la corrección. Me arrepiento.
@@joshweber988 no te arrepientas, no es necesario. La idea es aprender y para eso es el feedback 😉
Where is coffee?