3 Essential Elements Language Learning

Photo by Ivan Shilov on Unsplash

Whenever someone tells me they are using a language learning app or YouTube videos to learn a language, I think to myself… is it even possible? I have never met anyone who has gained fluency using a language learning app.

Have you?

Is it useful?

What apps do you use?

What videos do you watch?

Around 10 years ago, I moved to China and enrolled in a Chinese language learning program at Fudan University in Shanghai. After 2 years, I moved to Guangzhou and majored in Chinese as a second language at ZhongShan Univeristy.

I put in a total of 5 years into studying Chinese. This may be why I don't take people seriously when they say they are using a app to study a language.

There are 3 elements that need to be present for a successful language learning experience. In my experience, the university language learning program had the 3 elements.

Teachers

Learning Chinese from teachers who are trained in teaching foreign language students is a huge plus.

Teachers who teach foreign students are also required to learn another language. It is also helpful if the teachers have also learned a language themselves. Sometimes it’s difficult for native speakers to…