How to Learn a Foreign Language Fast for Free

There is one thing that always amazes the new round of college freshman - the fact that the years they spent studying a foreign language in high school was essentially worthless. They learned nothing. So, they start fresh in college, where the classes are harder and faster paced, and they are sure they've got it this time. Then, after years of studying in college, they travel to a different land and discover that the years they spent studying the language in college was essentially useless. They hardly get their point across, let alone understand what others are saying.

What is the point of spending years studying a language if in the end you know the amount of a beginner? There has to be a better way to learn. Luckily, with the Internet and all the resources available, it is very possible to learn a language, quite fluently, for free without traveling to that land.

The problem with most formal language class is the insistent mix of conversation, grammar, and vocabulary all mixed together. This method considerably slows a person down. Think of it, for a moment, as someone who is obese. Which would work faster: 1) dieting and dropping the fat pounds, then eating larger amounts and exercising to put on muscle, or 2) trying to lose the fat while simultaneously putting on muscle? The first is the better choice, as dieting requires less food and putting on muscle requires more - you need to start somewhere.

The same principle applies to learning a foreign language fast - the brain needs a foothold, somewhere to get a strong grip and begin the work. This method I'm going to outline works, and it works well. It requires, ideally, one hour minimum of studying per day, a notebook, an Internet connection, and preferably an mp3 player or iPod.

The steps should be followed in order - the steps listed are the way the brain learns best. Trying to do one step before the other will slow the learning process down.

Step 1: Alphabet and Pronunciation