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sydneyqamar's review against another edition
5.0
At some point in your language education, you start to feel like you’ve heard all the tips. I felt like that before starting this book. No matter how much you already know about learning languages, you can probably pull at least one gem from Gabriel’s book. And if you don’t know anything about learning languages, you can find many gems!
justin92's review against another edition
Best how-to learn a language book out there. Applies to all languages.
mikkelmiguelon's review against another edition
3.0
Quite repetitive and boring at times. But one great insight: Create your own (digital) flashcards with images you search for yourself. That will significantly aid in memorizing new words.
robinwalter's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
The sections on memorising were helpful, especially the counterproductive impact of overmemorising. His praiase for monoligual dictionaries was also a joy to read.
barareads's review against another edition
4.0
I have to say this first: it’s not 5 stars only because of the fact that most of the resources that are mentioned and described in depth and recommended in this book (and there are A LOT) are unfortunately no longer available or just already too dated to be used in the way the author advises. Gabe got me excited for Lang-8 for a moment but then I was disappointed to learn that it’s not working properly anymore and well it looks painfully old too. I mean, this guy gives a definition of Skype and Wikipedia, come on…
But! That’s the only thing that isn’t great about the book. Well, maybe the really long and numerous descriptions of the flash card making process weren’t that fun but also I’m not making cards at the moment. However, if/when I decide to do that, this is exactly the way I’ll do it!
So, what’s so great? Everything! The techniques, the insights, so so so many fun facts in this book… The authors wittiness though is probably my favorite thing about it. It’s just really entertaining and motivating to read, very funny at times too. I took a lot of screenshots (I mean khem wrote down so many quotes…deep…or funny.. quotes..), I wanted to share so much of what I was reading with my fellow bilingual friend… The thing is, it’s a huge sign of how good this book is that I liked it this much even though!!! IT’S NOT REALLY AIMED AT PEOPLE WHO AREADY SPEAK 2+ LANGUAGES FLUENTLY! And that’s me
But! That’s the only thing that isn’t great about the book. Well, maybe the really long and numerous descriptions of the flash card making process weren’t that fun but also I’m not making cards at the moment. However, if/when I decide to do that, this is exactly the way I’ll do it!
So, what’s so great? Everything! The techniques, the insights, so so so many fun facts in this book… The authors wittiness though is probably my favorite thing about it. It’s just really entertaining and motivating to read, very funny at times too. I took a lot of screenshots (I mean khem wrote down so many quotes…deep…or funny.. quotes..), I wanted to share so much of what I was reading with my fellow bilingual friend… The thing is, it’s a huge sign of how good this book is that I liked it this much even though!!! IT’S NOT REALLY AIMED AT PEOPLE WHO AREADY SPEAK 2+ LANGUAGES FLUENTLY! And that’s me
jaredwill_'s review against another edition
5.0
1.5 years after i began learning French this book still had things to teach me. It also reaffirmed a number of things i was already doing.
If you're interested in learning a new language i highly recommend this.
If you're interested in learning a new language i highly recommend this.
basilkumquat's review against another edition
4.0
A great vault of information breaking down language learning into a structure that you can really dive into. Ultimately the reading was a bit slow, as it is more or less a guide to making flashcards, but I learned a ton through this book!!
artex's review against another edition
5.0
Very helpful book. Lays a foundation of language learning. Do it before any other other apps or approaches. Might be especially helpful for languages, that are difficult for Westerners (e.g. helped me a lot in SRS-advancing Kanzi/Hanzi)
krishnu's review against another edition
5.0
For the last two decade, Ich habe only read English books.
There ! I did it.
I spurted out two words from a language which I had almost nicht exposure to. Surely I am wrong, but I had to type them down because those words sounded in my head as I was typing.
Mr Wyner's writing is compelling. As I was reading the book, I started thinking. "Hmm, I love Netflix's Dark, maybe I should start self-teaching German" And then I started dreaming "I should visit Germany One Day" ..."I should move to Germany one day!" ..."I need to date a German Girl!!"
(starts making eccentric german R sounds ...)
I started making German flashcards by the time I reached chapter 3 of the book.
Surely I could've sped through the book, made some notes, and then published a Medium blog post, and went ahead, but I couldn't help it.
When was the last time a book, made me want to act out?
These are the kind of books that I want to read! Of Goodreads Algorithm, do your magic!!
There ! I did it.
I spurted out two words from a language which I had almost nicht exposure to. Surely I am wrong, but I had to type them down because those words sounded in my head as I was typing.
Mr Wyner's writing is compelling. As I was reading the book, I started thinking. "Hmm, I love Netflix's Dark, maybe I should start self-teaching German" And then I started dreaming "I should visit Germany One Day" ..."I should move to Germany one day!" ..."I need to date a German Girl!!"
(starts making eccentric german R sounds ...)
I started making German flashcards by the time I reached chapter 3 of the book.
Surely I could've sped through the book, made some notes, and then published a Medium blog post, and went ahead, but I couldn't help it.
When was the last time a book, made me want to act out?
These are the kind of books that I want to read! Of Goodreads Algorithm, do your magic!!