Welcome to the first post in this series where I’ll be documenting my journey into language learning from scratch. I’m not a polyglot (yet), so I’m testing and refining what actually works in real life. This post lays out the core strategies I’m currently using and building into my daily routine.
Step 1: Getting Pronunciation Right from the Start
I’m starting with what most people skip: pronunciation. If I learn a word but pronounce it incorrectly, that error sticks. Worse—when I read, I start hearing it wrong in my head.
So I’m using tools like Fluent Forever to train my ear and mouth. Their flashcards are really good for distinguishing new sounds and getting the muscle memory for speaking right.
The goal here isn’t perfection—it’s building an internal voice that sounds natural from the start.
Step 2: Reading and Writing with Sound in Mind
I do read and write early on, but only once I’m confident that I know how to pronounce what I’m seeing.
Silent reading can be misleading. When we read, we “hear” the words in our head—so I make sure my pronunciation is solid first, then reinforce it by reading out loud.
I also make sure that anything I write, I can say, and anything I say, I can hear and recognize in real speech.
Step 3: Learning the Right Words (and Actually Remembering Them)
Rather than random vocabulary lists, I’m starting with a frequency list—the most commonly used words in the language.
But I don’t just memorize them. I’m combining:
- Mnemonics to make words stick
- Spaced repetition flashcards (SRS) to review them long-term
- Short sentences to see the words in context
And here’s the cool part:
I’m actually building this flashcard system into the Memorise Everything website you’re reading right now.
The goal is to offer personalised, SRS-powered flashcards that adapt to your interests—so you can learn words that matter to you, not just generic vocabulary. Stay tuned for updates as the project grows!
Step 4: Mastering Core Grammar with “Golden Sentences”
To get a feel for how the language works, I’m using a set of simple sentences by Tim Ferriss.
They’re short, easy to tweak, and surprisingly powerful for understanding structure. For example:
The apple is red.
I give John the apple.
She gives it to him.
I want to give it to her.
I will know tomorrow.
I use these as templates and swap out parts to build confidence in forming real sentences—without memorizing abstract grammar rules.
Step 5: Building My Survival Kit for Conversations
Even as a beginner, I want to be able to stay in the target language during conversations.
So I’ve built a small toolkit of ultra-useful phrases like:
- “How do you say ___?”
- “Can you repeat that?”
- “What does ___ mean?”
- “Please say it more slowly.”
They help me keep the conversation going, even when I don’t understand everything. It feels like unlocking a little superpower.
Step 6: Gentle Review Before Sleep
Right before bed, I do some easy review—nothing stressful, just familiar flashcards or audio I’ve already gone over earlier in the day.
It’s quick (just 5–10 minutes), but it makes a real difference. Nighttime review is known to improve memory consolidation, and keeping it light ensures it doesn’t interfere with sleep.
Step 7: Making Input Comprehensible (Using Pokémon!)
I’m experimenting with using native media (like Pokémon episodes) as a learning tool.
Here’s what I do:
- I grab a transcript or subtitle file for an episode.
- I identify the most frequent or useful words.
- I add those words to my flashcard system with mnemonics.
- Then I watch the episode.
It makes the experience way more comprehensible and rewarding. I’m planning to apply the same process to beginner podcasts and YouTube content as I level up.
What’s Next?
I’m still early in the journey, but already seeing big improvements in comprehension and confidence. Most importantly—I’m having fun with it.
Over time, I’ll be sharing more insights, tools, and real progress here. And as the SRS flashcard system on Memorise Everything evolves, I’ll keep you posted on how you can use it too.
If you’re starting a language or curious about how to go from zero to conversational, follow along—and feel free to share your own tips or stories.
This is just the beginning.
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