The Rules of Language Aquisition

Input BEFORE Output

Focus on how much you are doing

Motivation, Method, Consistency

Do what works for you

Intensity of exposure

Do things that make the brain more attentive

Listen, understand, copy

Cultural weightlessness (Kaufmann)

Listen/read in bed and on the toilet

Enjoying yourself is not a waste of time

Use real content

When you can't understand, look for patterns or other things you notice

If you're bored, move onto something else (in the target language)

Don't make goals, set habits

Use dictionaries sparingly (they help after you basically know the word)

If it is made for learners, be wary

Learn in context

Gibberish > Words > Phrases > High % Coverage

Audio matched with text (transcripts!) are a great value

Ignore the dissapointment of failure and embrace the value of it

Don't over-analyze. Are you reading and listening every day? That's enough.

A small bit of effortful reading of 50% coverage material will soon blossom to 90%