So, you want to learn Russian fast? There’s no hiding it, getting really good at Russian is a big undertaking that takes a lot of time: maybe 300 hours study for a basic, functional “working knowledge” at the “lower intermediate” level (sometimes called “B1”). It also takes a shedload of commitment. But here’s the thing! If you’re motivated, you can achieve specific goals … [Read more...]
Great inspirational quotes for language learners
In this, the 200th post on Howtogetfluent, I thought I’d step back a bit and share some inspirational quotes for language learners from language fans past and present. Since 2014, I’ve been sharing language learning information and tips, my own learner ups and downs and the stories of others, all to encourage you on your language learning journey. Or, at least, to warn you … [Read more...]
German future tense (Futur I): top dos and don’ts
Das Futur I is the German future tense. You’ll usually first meet die Zukunft, as it’s also known, as you move into the intermediate or B1 level. But how do you form the Futur I correctly and where does it go in the sentence? In this post, you’ll discover all you need to know about the German future tense including common pitfalls you need to avoid to get it … [Read more...]
Japanese update: November to February
I started learning Japanese at the beginning of 2019. The language fascinatingly different from any language I've studied before. I visited Japan for the first time in October 2019. The trip was wonderful, a source of yet more inspiration to continue with the language. It's several months since my last progress report and here's an update on how it's been going, my methods, … [Read more...]
Learn the Russian alphabet in an afternoon: three tricks
Non-Russian learners imagine it must be difficult to learn the Russian alphabet. Actual Russian learners know that it's easily done….and that the real challenges of the language lie elsewhere. In this post, you'll find three great tricks to help you learn the Russian alphabet in as little as an afternoon and we'll apply them together to each letter. If you’re going to … [Read more...]