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Language Librarian

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Welcome to our comprehensive language learning guides! Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to improve your existing language skills, we’ve designed these guides to help you navigate your learning journey efficiently.

How to Use This Guide

Our guides are structured to make your language learning journey as smooth as possible. Here’s how to get the most out of them:

  • Start with the learning efficiently section to understand the core principles of effective language acquisition. This foundation will help you make better decisions about your learning approach.

  • Navigate to your chosen language. Each section has guides for each level of proficiency that provide a clear roadmap of what to expect and how to progress. We recommend reading through the guide at your current level, but also the level before and the level after to identify any gaps in your past learning and to give you a view of what lies at the horizon.

  • Review the recommended resources provided in each guide. The guides only have 1-2 recommendations for category in the interest of keeping it short, selected based on what works for most learners. However, you can also explore our more comprehensive recommedned resources pagefor each language for more options and detailed comparisons that will allow you to select what works best for you based on your learning style, priorities, and budget.

  • Using these materials, create your own personalized learning schedule. Remember, consistency is more important than intensity.

  • Most importantly, stick to your plan. Language learning is a marathon, not a sprint.

Who These Guides Are For

These guides are specifically designed for:

  • Adult Learners: Our approach is tailored for adult learning patterns and cognitive processes. The methods and resources we recommend leverage adults’ analytical abilities and capacity for structured learning. Note that these guides are not suitable for children, who typically learn languages through different mechanisms.

  • English Speakers: Currently, our guides are optimized for English speakers learning a new language. We’re working on expanding to support other native languages soon, so stay tuned for updates.

  • Self-Directed Learners: These guides are particularly valuable for those studying independently. If you’re already enrolled in an intensive language course, these materials can serve as supplementary resources, but your course curriculum should be your primary guide.

  • All Experience Levels: Whether you’re starting from zero or have been casually learning through apps and videos, these guides will help structure your learning journey. We’ve included entry points for both complete beginners and those looking to systematize their existing knowledge.

How We Created These Guides

Our methodology combines multiple perspectives to ensure you get the most effective and practical advice:

  • Academic Foundation: We’ve synthesized key findings from second language acquisition research, cognitive psychology, and educational studies. This ensures our recommendations are grounded in proven learning principles.

  • Real-World Experience: Beyond academic research, we’ve gathered insights from language learning communities, forums, and individual learners’ experiences. Our goal has been to survey what actual students have said about their jouneys - what worked, what didn’t, and what they wished they knew before they started. Our goal is to give advice that works in real-world situations, not just in theory.

  • Resource Accessibility: We prioritize free resources whenever possible, recommending paid options only when they offer significant value that free alternatives can’t match.

  • Balancing Direction with Flexibility: Our guides strike a careful balance between structure and flexibility. While we provide clear pathways and recommendations, we also leave room for personalization based on your learning style, schedule, and preferences.

Remember, these guides are meant to serve as a roadmap, not a rigid prescription. Feel free to adapt the recommendations to fit your specific needs and circumstances while keeping the core principles intact.