This is a list of what I did and what I'd do if I were a complete beginner language learner as an adult.

I used to have an English teaching Instagram page, that (!) I revisited yesterday. I also gave tips on how to learn English. It was a long time ago, but I still agree with my points more or less. The only thing that has changed is the tools I'd use.

Basic vocabulary and foundational grammar—the same approach used in traditional schools.

Language learning is pattern recognition. While grammar rules and vocabulary are important, they can only take/get(?) you so far. There are too many rules and words to memorize, and no one can know them all. Solution: Pattern recognition! How to recognize patterns? It's simple: By getting as much input and creating as much output as possible.

Branches of a language:

I. Input: I'd try to get as much input as possible by reading books and watching movies.

1. Reading: Start with simple children’s books and progress to more complex material.

2. Listening: Movies, podcasts, etc.

II. Output: After the first few weeks I'd try to create output as well. Ideally if it's with RELIABLE FEEDBACK.

What I mean by reliable feedback: It's a person or a tool, that checks if my output is correct and comprehensible.

3. Writing: Post journal entries on Journaly.com where people can correct your writing, or use AI tools like ChatGPT/DeepSeek to refine your writing.

4. Speaking: Speak with/to (?) people. Better if they are native speakers and even better if they can correct your pronunciation and grammar. Use apps like BoldVoice for pronunciation feedback.

Tools that you can use to learn a language:

Movies: Immersive for listening practice and cultural context.

Language Exchange Apps: Apps where you can talk to native speakers (Preply) or people who are learning the language just like you ( Natives are preferable but at the end of the day, you learn a language to communicate with others)

Youtube: E.g: English with Lucy, Smissle, Papa English

Music: Music is a great way to learn because you'll get spaced repetition since you're going to hear the already-learned music on the radio.

Books: Start simple (children’s books) and gradually tackle more complex texts.

Social Media in Your Target Language: Follow accounts, join groups, and engage with posts.

Grammar Checkers: Tools like Deepseek, ChatGPT, and Grammarly can help refine your writing.

Drops: A good way to learn words, if memorizing words is your thing.

Writing: Journal, Stories, whatever you want to write

Standardized tests: I've personally taken a lot of standardized tests myself. Just take it easy and after a few tests, you'll see the patterns in the tests too. Quantity over stressing over [-the] quality in the beginning.

BoldVoice App: For pronunciation feedback.

#Keywords: Spaced Repetition, Pattern recognition, Reliable feedback

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One ongoing struggle I face is addressing subtle, hard-to-detect errors in my language use - Mistakes that are minor enough to go unnoticed but still create gaps in fluency or accuracy. I haven’t yet found a systematic way to identify and correct these flaws.

Example: Prepositions

Edit: I asked AI and this was its answer:

1. Record & Analyze Yourself

How: Use your phone to record yourself speaking or read your writing aloud.

Why: Hearing/seeing your own output creates critical distance. Tiny errors (awkward phrasing, unnatural rhythm, repeated filler words) often jump out after you’ve stepped away.

Pro Tip: Compare your recording to a native speaker’s version of the same text (e.g., a podcast clip or audiobook passage).

2. Ask for Specific Feedback

Don’t just ask, “Is this correct?” Instead:

Ask native speakers: “Does this sound natural?” or “How would you say this?”

Use AI tools: Paste your sentences into ChatGPT/DeepSeek and ask:

“Does this sound natural in [language]? If not, rewrite it the way a native speaker would.”

3. Hunt for Patterns with a “Mistake Journal”

Track recurring small errors (e.g., prepositions, word order, articles).

Example entry:

Mistake: “I’m interested on science.” → Correction: “I’m interested in science.”

Pattern: Confusing “on” and “in” with adjectives.

Review weekly to spot trends.

4. Use Speech-to-Text Apps

Speak in your target language into tools like Google Docs’ voice typing or Otter.ai.

If the app mishears you, it likely means your pronunciation or phrasing is slightly off.

5. Shadow Native Speakers

How: Listen to short audio clips (podcasts, YouTube) and mimic the speaker immediately after they talk.

Focus on:

Intonation (rising/falling pitch)

Linking words (e.g., “wanna” instead of “want to”)

Micro-pauses (how natives chunk sentences)

6. Delayed Imitation

Listen to a sentence → pause 5 seconds → try to repeat it exactly.

This forces your brain to rely on memory, exposing gaps in retention (e.g., forgotten articles, wrong verb endings).

7. Write Daily, Then “Age” It

Write a short journal entry → save it for 24 hours → edit it fresh. You’ll catch subtle errors you missed initially.

Run it through ChatGPT afterward for feedback.

8. Focus on One Thing at a Time

Pick a weekly “micro-skill” to polish, e.g.:

Using contractions naturally (“I’m” vs. “I am”)

Nailing the rhythm of questions vs. statements

Pronouncing silent letters (e.g., the “t” in often)

9. Embrace the “Good Enough” Mindset

Most subtle errors won’t hinder communication. Prioritize fluency over perfection—but revisit them occasionally as you advance.

10. Revisit Old Material

Re-read/write/listen to things you created months ago. You’ll instantly notice mistakes you didn’t back then—proof you’re improving!

Key: These “invisible” flaws fade with time as your brain internalizes patterns. Trust the process—you’re closer to natural fluency than you think! 🌟