Hi, I'm Sergey Shan, a co-founder and CPO at Lilata (https://lilata.com). I run a language learning business and speak three languages fluently. Here is my language learning advice. No matter what your learning goal is, you'll need to know basic vocabulary. The most efficient way to memorize the first 500-1000 most common words is by using word-learning apps with spaced repetition, like Memrise or Anki. Make sure the app includes examples showing how those words are used in sentences. Add basic grammar in small steps to help you put the words you learn together. Free courses on YouTube are a great place to start. Don't stress about perfection - being 80% correct 80% of the time is good enough at the beginning. Once you've got the basics, focus on listening. It helps you absorb vocabulary in context and learn natural speaking patterns. Start with simplified podcasts or videos for learners, then move to native content as you improve. Try to find material you actually enjoy. Use subtitles or transcripts when needed. Speaking is the most challenging language skill to master. Start slow, talk about simple topics, and find a language exchange partner or tutor to practice with. Don't worry about mistakes or your accent - as long as you're understood, you're doing fine. You'll build confidence and get better over time. That said, the biggest challenge in language learning isn't the technical skills - it's keeping your motivation high. To stay on track, set short-term, achievable goals, like learning 100 new words or understanding a 5-minute podcast without a translator. Focus most of your learning time on activities you genuinely like - watching shows, reading interesting articles, or chatting with people online. You need to interact with the language a lot to acquire it, and that's much easier when you enjoy the process.
One effective technique for improving your fluency is to read your favorite book in the language you are trying to learn. Since you already know the subject, it will be easier for you to understand the text. Also, take time to write down the dialogue. This will make you more familiar with the target language and vocabulary as it spoken every day, which will prepare you further for everyday conversations.