Acquiring a small number of useful words may seem like a quick way to start learning a language, but in my experience, it’s not enough. While key words like “I”, “you”, “he”, “she”, “where”, “when”, “why”, etc. are essential, simply knowing them isn’t sufficient. It takes time to remember and use them effectively, especially in different contexts.
To truly grasp a language, exposure to a variety of contexts is crucial. While lists of commonly used words can be helpful, it’s essential to encounter them frequently in different settings to become comfortable with them.
There’s no specific number of words required to speak a language fluently. A broad vocabulary, including high and low frequency words, is necessary to understand basic conversations. Native speakers have a vast vocabulary, and conversing comfortably often requires knowing tens of thousands of words.
Engaging with tutors can be beneficial once you have a good grasp of around 3000 words, as it helps improve speaking skills. Setting goals, like producing videos in a new language, can motivate you to practice speaking earlier.
Immersion in interesting content, rather than focusing solely on high frequency words, is my preferred method of language learning. By gradually absorbing words and familiarizing myself with the language, I can eventually communicate with native speakers.
Speaking activates the vocabulary learned from engaging content, and continuous exposure to the language is key to improving conversational skills over time.
If I possess a vast passive vocabulary, I may notice that certain words I have never actively used before suddenly come to mind and flow out of my mouth when I require them. It is unfortunate that many other words that I am familiar with passively still elude my grasp. However, with time, more and more of these words transition into my active vocabulary. In the meantime, having knowledge of these words, even passively, allows me to engage in meaningful conversations. I just need to persist in my efforts.
This is the approach I am currently taking with Arabic and Persian languages. I am enjoying the process of learning and gaining insights into the Middle East, and when the time is right, I will resume speaking. Based on past experiences, I am confident that even though I have not actively spoken these languages in a while, my conversational skills will have significantly improved through my learning activities. This is because my comprehension will have increased, and my vocabulary will have expanded. These are the primary objectives I have set for myself, and I know that with enough practice, my ability to communicate effectively in these languages will naturally follow.
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