How to Learn a Language: INPUT (Why most methods don't work)

Points discussed in this video:

1. We improve our language skills only when we acquire language through understanding what is being said (According to Krashen).
2. Your brain is a massive pattern recognition device that can piece out vocabulary and grammar rules IF it gets the meaning.
3. Dictionaries may help you "learn" words, but they do not help you improve your language skills (though it may indirectly help you "acquire" language which would improve your language skill)
4. Input of content in the target language is so important because it rapidly exposes you to a wide variety of vocabulary, grammar and contextual clues for how the language works.
5. NO SUBTITLES IN YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE. You can kiss any language gains goodbye if you use them. Though, subtitles in the target language can even have you learn quicker.
6. Speaking is NOT necessary for acquiring language. (Though it is surely necessary for pronunciation and being able to speak fluidly) As per Krashen "It means talking out loud to yourself in the car in Spanish will NOT help your Spanish ability." However, speaking can indirectly improve your language because you can use it to elicit more speech from speakers of your target language.
7. Use shadowing to improve your listening and pronunciation.

Extra tips:

• RECOMMENDED BOOKS to get started in developing a productive approach to learning a language:
  • Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition by Stephen Krashen
  • Fluent forever by Gabriel Wyner
  • Fluent in 3 months by Benny Lewis
• I don't agree with everything said in these books. For example, Benny Lewis has some great approaches to language, but I don't agree with "Use the Language from Day 1" unless you are entirely comfortable embarrassing yourself in front of strangers. As per Krashen's Input Theory, The affective filter hypothesis states that learners' ability to acquire language is constrained if they are experiencing negative emotions such as fear or embarrassment. I totally agree with this based on my experience and think this is why "classroom language teaching" does not work. You are risking embarrassment every time the teacher calls on you and may be in fear of failing as you study the language.
• Also, I do not think techniques for "memorizing" words are a good use of your time, unless you are taking a language test. If your aim is to learn the language to where you can understand media in that language and have enjoyable conversations, then mnemonics are not helpful. This is because they facilitate "learning" of the language and not "acquisition." For example, if someone says "Do you know what taberu means?" You can access your mnemonic of "I eat on a table [TABEru means eat!]," but if someone says to you "issho ni gohan tabenai?" you probably won't be able to rapidly comprehend this phrase and respond in a natural way.
• The distinction between acquisition and learning is tricky, but very important to keep in mind while you develop methods to acquiring your target language in an efficient manner.

Beginner Vocabulary: Try and find the "Core 100" words of your target language. After you get those down, move on to the next 100 and so on. The "core" is the most commonly used words (make sure the list you get distinguishes between the 100 most commonly used spoken words and written words) Relevant resource: https://fluent-forever.com/the-method/vocabulary/base-vocabulary-list/