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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
funny
informative
reflective
I'm currently majoring in Linguistics and have a decent foundational knowledge in the field. This book is still helpful for me, so I'm positive that it'll be useful for most people. In a time period where we have nearly infinite resources (and an infinite amount of horrible ones) to learn languages, it becomes incredibly hard to know where to start and what will actually be helpful in the process. Wyner cuts a lot of the fat and makes a very straightforward case for his method. Even if you choose not to use his exact methodology, there is likely something you will take away that will improve your learning method of choice.
My main criticism is that I feel as though his app was marketed relatively heavy, but I can understand that and he provides alternatives that functionally do the same thing as his app. He also had quite a lot of advice related to usage of AI, and while I largely found the instances he invokes AI to be worthwhile, I would still lean towards the side of caution when aiming to get information out of LLM's.
My main criticism is that I feel as though his app was marketed relatively heavy, but I can understand that and he provides alternatives that functionally do the same thing as his app. He also had quite a lot of advice related to usage of AI, and while I largely found the instances he invokes AI to be worthwhile, I would still lean towards the side of caution when aiming to get information out of LLM's.
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Much of the book boils down to “use Anki,” but if you’ve never tried to teach yourself a language, this gives you a solid framework
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
I felt like the book was just repeating the same thing over and over again.
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
The main differences from the original work seems to be advice about how to use ChatGPT and such LLM’s for language learning, his update to the 625 words, language learning when you have a bit of money and how best to use tutors/teachers online. I’d have to check with my old copy to see any other significant updates. Either way, this remains one of my favourite books about learning languages. I do think a fair bit of the advice are techniques you pick up naturally while learning a language, but I guess if you want to completely avoid this period of trial and error, it really lays out a great blueprint.
informative
medium-paced