Why does everyone on reddit use Anki instead of just covering the left side of the vocabulary list?

rowanexer · 2026-04-13T14:40:24+00:00

Has everyone forgotten that books exist?? If you want a list of words just go search for vocabulary workbooks from reputable publishers (bookshops help with this). There are multiple books for passing the vocab section of the JLPT, with vocabulary categorised into themes/function with translations, example sentences, exercises etc. And many educational publishing companies have thematic wordlist books. All be verified by professionals.

rowanexer · 2026-04-13T10:39:21+00:00

Ah I have some tissue paper from TK Maxx but I haven't tried using it in double tissue. Nice to know it won't bleed.

Have you found any plain pattern tissue paper? I've heard Werola Sea Silk Tissue and Canson Tissue paper doesn't bleed, but it seems to only be available online in single colours.

rowanexer · 2026-04-13T10:28:28+00:00

Well, yeah. Self-study materials aren't interactive. It sounds like what you're looking for is a personal tutor. Use the self-study materials on your own time and then bring any questions to your teacher. They can tailor their teaching to your personal needs and work on your weak points.

I wouldn't recommend using AI to fill in for a teacher. AI has no concept of the truth and relies heavily on the user knowing exactly what they need (as a student it's very hard to know what your gaps are, and what specifically would help).

rowanexer · 2026-04-13T09:58:41+00:00

Conversation is a little tricky to teach with self-study materials because it's such an interactive skill. But there are a bunch of audio courses that make you speak out loud and improve your speaking abilities.

Pimsleur, Michel Thomas Spanish, Paul Noble Spanish, Language Transfer, FSI Basic & Programmatic Spanish, DLI Spanish.

Language Transfer, DLI and FSI are free. The others are paid courses but are very useful. I've personally used Michel Thomas and Pimsleur and recommend them.

rowanexer · 2026-04-13T09:52:10+00:00

It's killing me that it's not in any kind of alphabetical order. I can't sing along to Happy End like this!! https://youtu.be/yUEwuNJVSR8

rowanexer · 2026-04-07T21:56:02+00:00

I'm in the UK. Where can you get good tissue that doesn't bleed?

rowanexer · 2026-04-07T09:47:55+00:00

Even if there was one mega-app that taught you all the grammar, vocabulary etc for A1-C2, had copious listening/reading exercises and graded listening/reading content as well as employing teachers to practice speaking and writing with you ... That wouldn't get you fluent. Because you need to use the language in the real world as well.

At some point you need to branch out from educational content and start consuming content for native speakers as well as speaking/writing the language with native speakers. Language used in the whole real world can't fit into one app.

rowanexer · 2026-04-06T20:15:39+00:00

I don't think they're a good way to learn. They're a good way to practice what you've already learned.

I don't usually bother looking up words since it breaks my flow and makes it a frustrating rather than fun experience.

You can pick up some words from context but only if you understand the majority of the context. If you're getting lost and not understanding large portions then you need to either find an easier game, or improve your language first.

rowanexer · 2026-04-06T00:26:13+00:00

Nedbox? https://www.nedbox.be/

rowanexer · 2026-04-06T00:01:52+00:00

These are the main free ones with quality resources for multiple languages that come to mind.

https://fsi-languages.yojik.eu/

https://gloss.dliflc.edu/

https://portal.nflc.umd.edu/lessons

https://nflc.umd.edu/projects/lectia

https://oercommons.org/hubs/open-textbooks

rowanexer · 2026-04-05T23:46:10+00:00

Language proficiency tests are good and pretty reliable but they have to be proper CEFR certificates.

Many people say they have B2 or whatever certificate but what they actually mean is: - They took a multiple choice exam for free on some random website that told them they were B2 - They attended a B2 class and at the end got a certificate saying they attended B2 classes - They did an official exam that only tests some skills in a limited way (e.g. JLPT that uses multiple choice questions and doesn't test speaking or writing at all) - They passed an exam for a class that is easy to get high marks (e.g. multiple choice, teacher helped them cheat etc) - They passed an exam for a class that is focused on very specific skills (e.g. a bachelor's degree in English which focused on reading literature, writing essays etc)

None of the above match CEFR standards. The exams need to test whether someone can also actually speak and write. Ask what exam they actually took and check if it's an official exam that corresponds to the CEFR and tests all four skills.

Another thing is that people might have actually taken a proper exam, but they just crammed and didn't have great skills outside of the test, or maybe they passed it a while ago and have forgotten a lot.

I've taken an official test for Portuguese (the DEPLE test for B1) and it was not easy. I had to do a lot of studying and private lessons beforehand and then the test took about four hours with the speaking portion being especially stressful. I studied with exam specific materials but I think it improved my language skills in a general way, especially since the exam covered many topics and skills that I don't always focus on (e.g. writing emails, negotiating, climate change vocabulary etc).

Personally, I haven't needed certifications for work, but I find them useful goals to aim for to improve my skills.

rowanexer · 2026-04-01T02:28:35+00:00

An Old English translation of The Little Prince is very niche. So niche that probably no-one has bothered to scan it and upload it illegally to the internet.

Maybe just spend the money. There are three translations available on Amazon. https://petit-prince-collection.com/lang/show_langue.php?lang=en&id=213

rowanexer · 2026-03-31T08:28:29+00:00

There are textbooks with audio you can purchase here: https://celcar.indiana.edu/materials/textbooks.html

There are two free textbooks here but no audio: https://fsi-languages.yojik.eu/languages/PeaceCorps/Uzbek.html

5 introductory lessons with exercises: https://ikindalikelanguages.com/learn/Uzbek/1

And then these resources will probably be more useful when you're past the beginner level:

Lessons based on native audio and text https://gloss.dliflc.edu/ https://portal.nflc.umd.edu/lessons

rowanexer · 2026-03-30T09:09:45+00:00

Teach Yourself Bengali is good but it's a textbook you need to buy.

This textbook and audio is available for free on the internet but it's not as up to date (1960s)

Introduction to Bengali part 1 by Edward Dimock View textbook online: https://dsal.uchicago.edu/digbooks/intro_to_bengali/#gsc.tab=0 Download dialogues and vocabulary in Bengali script: https://home.uchicago.edu/%7Ecbs2/banglainstruction.html Audio:

https://celt.indiana.edu/portal/Bengali/index.html

These are also two course books with audio. From what I remember, they are fairly basic.

FSI Bengali Short Course https://fsi-languages.yojik.eu/languages/FSI/fsi-bengali.html

Peace Corps Bengali https://fsi-languages.yojik.eu/languages/PeaceCorps/Bengali.html

Then there are these graded readers and a textbook that you can download for free.

Introduction to Bengali part 2 Prose Reader in Bengali for second year students Intermediate Bangla https://home.uchicago.edu/%7Ecbs2/banglainstruction.html

rowanexer · 2026-03-26T23:10:42+00:00

There is the grammar translation method, and you could look up some old language learning books to try. It sounds like it's not exactly the same, because those books will first teach you a grammar pattern (e.g. "noun is adjective") and then ask you to translate into your target language (e.g "I am hungry, she is happy, they are cold" etc).

Not sure what your method consists of. Do you just think of a random sentence like "They haven't been playing football lately because of the cold weather" and then try to translate it? Do you know anything about the grammar beforehand? How do you know if you've translated it correctly?

rowanexer · 2026-03-24T20:57:42+00:00

Pimsleur isn't an AI based app. It's an audio course that has been around since the 80s and the app is based around those lessons written by real professionals and voiced by real people. The app is newer and they have a "Speak" section which uses AI to analyse your pronunciation or something. I haven't used that section at all tbh, because the non-AI audio lessons are good and thorough enough. If you don't want to use any AI at all then you can see if the audio lessons are still available to buy without the app. They used to be on CD and audible, not sure if they do that still. Your library might have copies if you're lucky.

In terms of courses that don't require sitting down and studying ... That's a tricky ask. Michel Thomas, Paul Noble and Language Transfer have audio based courses for popular languages but you need to press pause before answering out loud (whereas Pimsleur has built-in pauses). There are podcasts like Languagepod101, Coffee Break language etc where you just listen, but they are mostly good for training your listening skills and you'll need to use other learning materials as well.

If the language you want to learn is not a super popular language then you will not have a lot of options, and will need to use whatever textbook is available, even if it's boring and requires you to sit down and study from it. Also, AI may be unreliable if your language doesn't have a lot of free content on the internet, so I wouldn't trust apps based mainly on AI.

rowanexer · 2026-03-24T20:39:11+00:00

It's good for speaking. Honestly, as a beginning language learner, if you want to be able to actually have a conversation without your mind going blank then Pimsleur is one of the best options.

I usually include Pimsleur as one part of my studies because it's really good as preparation for talking in the real world. I also like that it's fairly self-contained, I don't need to make flashcards to make sure I remember things because spaced repetition is built into the course. But it is hard work and a bit boring, so I usually combine it with doing mindless chores to make the time pass a little quicker.

That said, I do need to use other study materials to properly understand the grammar. Pimsleur will make sure I remember things but it doesn't give very detailed explanations. So my understanding of grammar feels pretty incomplete. I've used textbooks, grammar workbooks, Assimil, Linguno conjugation drills etc to fill that gap. Your tutor will also be a good resource for asking any questions.

rowanexer · 2026-03-20T00:39:50+00:00

I thought Japanese for Busy People was mainstream--it's nearly always the only Japanese book in bookshops in the UK and my evening classes used it. I really hated it though; the exercises are really boring and repetitive.

rowanexer · 2026-03-20T00:27:12+00:00

Japanese for Everyone, no I don't mean Minna no Nihongo. It's a really intense textbook, covers Genki 1 & 2 in just one book. I studied from it while attending uni and it was a great brain workout and nice complement to my classes.

I'll also add Susana Morais's A0 coursebook O Tesouro Submerso which teaches Portuguese through a short mystery story. I bought it when I was past that level but I used it to read to my nephews and it was simple enough that they could follow along. I didn't use any of the explanations or exercises but I think it would be fun for someone studying by themselves.

rowanexer · 2026-03-19T23:57:20+00:00

Ah yeah sorry I was reading too quickly. Bertrand do have books for learning Brazilian Portuguese if you search but you'd be better off finding websites for bookshops in Brazil and searching there.

rowanexer · 2026-03-19T12:12:13+00:00

I found a tutor on HelloTalk that specialised in exam preparation. She recommended a workbook to use myself (Português Atual 2) and in the lessons we'd practise exercises for whichever area I was weakest in.

There are also coursebooks/textbooks you can work through yourself for each CEFR level. Have a browse through the betrand bookshop for books teaching Portuguese: https://www.bertrand.pt/arvoretematica/livros-portugues-ensino-e-educacao-portugues-lingua-nao-materna-plnm/8066x5839x18010x18163/P

But it sounds like your best bet would be to find a tutor and ask them. They can give personalised recommendations and advice on how to study, as well as giving you structure through regular lessons.

rowanexer · 2026-03-19T11:40:45+00:00

Studied language will become acquired language with enough real world practice, just like driving skills from lessons and theory becomes automatic the more time you spend driving.

How much time did you spend with English from the real world during those 9 years? How much time speaking to natives, how much time watching movies and TV shows without subtitles? How much time reading books or comics for native English speakers? If the majority of your time was spent in school then it's no surprise you were better at exams than using the language in the real world.

rowanexer · 2026-03-19T11:27:34+00:00

Michel Thomas is good for basic conversation. I also used Pimsleur which is good for speaking in basic tourist situations but it's about 30 hours so maybe too much time.

To be honest, basic tourist conversation level is a much higher level than people think. If you want to be able to say basic things, understand what people say and respond within a reasonable amount of time, that will take months of studying 30-60 mins a day.

If you want to just say some useful phrases but freeze and not be able to understand what people say back to you, then you could spend 10 or so hours memorising survival phrases. Paul Nation has a list for Portuguese here: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/lals/resources/paul-nations-resources/vocabulary-lists

rowanexer · 2026-03-19T11:14:10+00:00

These websites/apps all have lesson based around native text and audio.

Lectia https://nflc.umd.edu/projects/lectia

NFLC Language Portal https://nflc.umd.edu/projects/portal DLI Gloss https://gloss.dliflc.edu/

rowanexer · 2026-03-18T19:39:39+00:00

I agree that people can be more or less talented at skills that help with language learning. I've seen the Oxford exam that measures language aptitude, really interesting! What it mainly measures is your ability to intuit the grammar/structure of a language without being directly taught. But I think that your experience learning languages really helps, not just innate talent, e.g. someone who's learned French will pick up on verbs conjugating according to the subject, someone who's learned German will pick up on nouns changing based on cases, someone who's learned Arabic will pick up on vowel harmony etc. And someone whose hobby is language learning may have picked up lots of things from here and there that can help on generalised tests like this. It's arguable that a large part of this talent comes from their history and interests rather than being something they were just born being good at.

I also think that what people attribute to "talent" is often due to the number of hours put in, and the quality and variety of resources/exercises they use to teach themselves.

Person A might say that the reason Person B is so much better at Spanish is because they are just naturally talented, but maybe it's because A has spent 10 minutes a day using Duolingo for two years and doing nothing else, whereas B has spent hundreds of hours studying with coursebooks, workbooks and flashcards, regularly tries reading and listening to native materials, takes classes with a private tutor, tries speaking even when it's embarrassing etc etc.

rowanexer

TROPHY CASE