Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann How to pick the right language book for self-study
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Nov 21, 2024 Discover the art of selecting the perfect language textbook for self-study. Learn about the key features that make a textbook effective and the importance of real-life examples. Dive into the critiques of various series available on the market and their suitability for online learning. Uncover tips on navigating digital resources to enhance your language acquisition journey. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned learner, these insights will help you make informed choices in your language learning adventure.
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Starter Books for Language Learning
- Start with a "starter book" like those in the Teach Yourself or Complete series for good value.
- These books offer a solid foundation and are great for revisiting later.
Limited Content in Starter Books
- Starter books contain limited content, around 7,000-10,000 words, plus a few hours of audio.
- Reaching fluency requires significantly more exposure; Steve Kaufmann mentions reading 500,000-1.5 million words and listening for hundreds of hours.
Focus on Patterns and Examples
- Look for textbooks that emphasize patterns with multiple examples, like "53 Models of Russian."
- Avoid textbooks with complex grammatical explanations, drills, and quizzes.
