In Barry Farber’s book, How to Learn Any Language, Farber provides a list of tools needed to effectively learn any language on our own. Here is a revised and updated list, with the last two being additions of my own:
- Basic Textbook — For grammar — any basic book, textbook, or workbook that includes lessons in grammar
- Dictionary — Two-way, English (or your native language) and the language you wish to learn. This is a tool you will be using often, so it is important that it’s easy to use and has most, if not all of the words you will be looking for.
- Phrase Book — Practical words and phrases — these books for travelers will teach you simple dialogues and how to pronounce accurately
- Newspaper or Magazine — One is all you need — the more authentic, the better
- Student Reader — Sixth-grade level is best — if you can’t find one, no worries, the newspaper will soon be easy enough
- Portable Audio Player — To “inhale a foreign language through your ears”
- Audio Course — Any course will do, but, if you want to buy the best in terms of price to performance ratio, please see the recommended and detailed resource pages for your target language
- Blank Audio — For recording yourself speaking — whether this be cassettes, CDs, or extra space on your computer or MP3 player, Farber said he found it an “extremely helpful” method to aid in learning a language
- Flash Cards — If you can find pre-printed ones in your target language, great
- Blank Flash Cards — Any material will do for creating these (many use index cards)
- Sturdikleers — Plastic packets to protect and hold your flash cards
- Felt Highlighter Pen — For highlighting words you don’t yet understand in your newspaper or magazine articles
- Language Exchange — Reading/writing/speaking practice online with a native speaker of your target language (and learner of yours)
- Travel — To the country that speaks your target language
Within the Recommended section of each language page exists resources that match these needed tools as close as possible. It is also recommended that you purchase (or borrow) a copy of How to Learn Any Language. In the book, Farber includes a chapter entitled The Multiple-Track Attack which details how to use the tools to effectively learn your target language.
