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What are the current best ways to learn languages online? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 weeks ago by darthelmet@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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This is a more focused follow up to a question I had the other day about moving to other countries. I'm wondering what the best options are for learning a new language at the moment. I'm vaguely aware of companies like Duo-lingo losing their reputation lately and it's hard to trust the top google results nowadays with all the SEO junk. So does anyone have suggestions for trustworthy/useful sites for learning a new language? If it matters, in particular I'm interested in trying (In roughly this order) Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, or Spanish.

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[–] McMemile@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

You're right, staring blankly at media when you know nothing at all, even children's programming, is a waste of time for languages as foreign as Japanese. That's why it's usually recommended to first go through a basic grammar guide like Yokubi or Tae Kim, and grind some basic vocab through Anki with a deck like Kaishi.

If you don't know the basic alphabets (kana) yet, you can learn to read them as early as right now, it's the first thing any learner should do IMO, and the good news is that it can be done in less than a week's time or even just a few hours. I highly recommend Tofugu's guides for that purpose.

Set up Yomitan, it's a chrome extension to look up words in your browser instantly and can connect with anki to create flashcards, together they're the backbone of my studies. Supports many languages, not just Japanese. Note that it doesn't come with pre-installed dictionaries, you have to look up yomitan dictionaries for the language of your choice.

All ressources linked are free

Btw, Sugoi is a totally useful word in real everyday life too ;)

[–] darthelmet@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Sugoi! This is the kind of thing I was looking for. Thank you.

[–] Quills@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Ooh so much information! I'm saving this to give it proper attention later, thank you very much

(Now, little dummy myself, don't forget to come back here and do exactly what you said you would, please)