this post was submitted on 31 Jul 2026
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What is the best way to learn a second language in 2026? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 23 hours ago by leftOverLife@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
17 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I'd like to have books to study out of and maybe some types of slideshows. Something with a clear outline of the path ahead would be nice.

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[–] hydrashok@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago)

I’ve been using Duolingo to learn a language for a few years now, enjoy it, and feel that I continue to progress. I know there are other apps out there as well but I don’t have any experience with them. Duo does have a gamification component to it β€” some of which you can disable, but not all β€” and there is a cost if you choose to subscribe.

For me, though, I’m likely going to need to immerse myself and/or take a few formal classes to get better at conversational speaking as I keep learning. Not many folks around me learning German. The app does help practice conversations and give tips, which is nice, but using a language in real life with another person is more effective for me.

[–] EntheoNaut@lemmy.ml 6 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Immersion.

[–] sunbeam60@feddit.uk 2 points 5 hours ago

This right here. Go live there. Stop trying to get the locals to speak your language.

[–] koncertejo@lemmy.ml 5 points 10 hours ago

Anki for flashcards and a lovely local teacher that I go to once a week (not a university classroom). The real truth is it takes between 1000-4000 hours depending on your language, and the only way to get that is by doing a little bit every day. I'm probably somewhere around 700 hours after three years.

[–] yenahmik@lemmy.world 17 points 22 hours ago (3 children)

Comprehensible input is far and away the best way to learn a language. If the language you want to learn is Spanish, I highly recommend Dreaming Spanish. I believe there is also a French version.

If you want a different language than above, search "Comprehensible Input [target language]" and you should be able to find lists of resources in your target language.

[–] theskyisfalling@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

To jump onto your comment as a current Spanish learner, dreaming Spanish is pretty good. Language Transfer however is, in my opinion, the beat single tool for learning Spanish.

I think it is best coupled with some other methods, like dreaming Spanish, but I have learnt more from Language Transfer than anywhere else.

Obligatory never use Duolingo, it is fucking trash!

[–] yenahmik@lemmy.world 2 points 10 hours ago

I guess it depends on your goals and the timeline you have. I did Dreaming Spanish pretty intensively (1-2hrs a day) for 10 months. My goal was to be able to understand native Spanish speakers and hopefully communicate back to them. I absolutely achieved my goal in that when I went to a place with native speakers I could at least get the gist of what they were saying almost always, even in somewhat complex situations. However, I was basically able to speak on the level of a toddler and had to rely on Google translate to get what I needed to say across.

If you want to speak the language faster, then there are certainly ways to do it that may work better, but you will have to do more translation work that is mentally taxing. In the long run, if your goal is fluency, I believe CI should be prioritized initially and then you can go in and learn grammar rules and such later (much like how you learn your native language through input for the first 5 years of life then you go to school and learn the rules there).

[–] daggermoon@piefed.world 3 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

Thanks for the advice! I want to learn Polish and I didn't even know where to begin.

[–] yenahmik@lemmy.world 3 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

I'm currently trying to learn Hungarian, and was able to find content using this method. I'm sure there are just as many resources for Polish and there are for Hungarian (maybe even more?).

[–] daggermoon@piefed.world 2 points 9 hours ago

Aws is a really good Hungarian post-hardcore band if you're into that. Listening to Polish music is what made me appreciate the language.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQgurXKh42U

[–] ada@piefed.blahaj.zone 6 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

Lengualytics is a really good tool for comprehensible input in any language. Basically it's a collection of comprehensible input videos found and submitted by other users, and ranked according to language, dialect and difficulty level.

[–] yenahmik@lemmy.world 3 points 11 hours ago

Fascinating. I'd never heard of that resource. Unfortunately the language I'm currently trying to learn isn't supported. Looks really useful for the languages offered though.

[–] Godort@lemmy.ca 12 points 22 hours ago

The real answer is rough, because there are no shortcuts.

The best way to do it is the same way you learned your primary language. Learn just enough through study to be able to use a little bit of the language, and then actually start using it.

Talk with people who speak it, and learn to read and write all over again. Sound like a tourist for a couple years as you pick up more and more. Eventually you'll be fluent.

[–] bloogoose@lemmy.zip 10 points 23 hours ago

I've heard watching kid's shows in the language you'd like to learn works pretty well for newbies.

[–] onoki@reddthat.com 7 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago) (1 children)

The best method is the one you can stick to.

What works great for me, is boring to another one. Even if I have the most optimal way of learning, if you abandon that, you won't learn anything.

That said, the availability of podcasts, videos, online courses, AI for checking your output, asking follow-up questions, and having real time conversations, are all tools we could have only dreamed of even 10 years ago. Even if people here dismiss the use of AI, it will get you up to CEFR B2/C1 level easily.

[–] theedqueen@lemmy.world 5 points 19 hours ago

Pretty much this. I couldn’t commit to self-study enough to make any meaningful progress even though I tried really hard. I’m sure other people can just pick up a book and some audio tapes and do well on their own. I ended up doing lessons in iTalki because I need the guidance and live feedback. It’s been great so far although I’ve only been at it for a few weeks. Looking forward to see where I am in a year.

[–] ratrace@lemmy.zip 4 points 23 hours ago

leaving trial by fire