#language community

Writing

Script: about, history and development, impact of writing tools in its evolution

Alphabet: multibhashi, wikipedia, wikibooks, edzym

Reading

Textbook: intensive course (archive.org), ncert school books, ap scert school books, ts scert school books, hindi-telugu praimaru, grammar (written in telugu)

Prose: kids’ stories, stories, collected manuscripts, parikini, soundaryalahari, barrister parvateesam, history, translated quran,

Poetry: kinnerasani patalu, movie songs book, maha prasthanam, tyagaraja kirtanalu

Blog/Misc: chandamama kathalu magazine, kavithalu, saaranga magazine, hasam magazine, bharati magazine, swathi weekly, sakshi news

Dictionaries: andhrabharati, tel-eng by sankaranarayana, eng-tel by venkatacharyulu, tel-eng by percival, tel-sans, hin-tel.

Vocabulary

MyLanguages

MeaningInHindi

1000MostCommonWords

proverbs: sametalu (written in telugu)

Grammar

malik’s absolutely goated guide

praveen ragi

vakyam (written in telugu)

Apps

Mango

Multibhashi (android)

HelloTalk

Dasubhashitam (android)

Learn Spoken Telugu From English (android)

Websites

Languages Home

Goethe-Verlag

LearningTelugu

Learn 101

Desi Bantu

YouTube - Native

Telugu teachers: telugu vanam, teach me telugu, pr learning hub,

Beginner level/Kids content: koo koo tv, jum jum tv, paa paa tv, horror planet

General: permit room, sumakka, chai bisket, naa anveshana, my vilage show, ragadi, chitra alochana, thyview, mahathalli, vikramaditya, yevarra meerantha, aye jude, dhethadi, chari not sorry

YouTube - Learners

Mexico: Christina

USA: Kari, Isaac Richards, Manasa (Danya), Omar Crockett

Italy: Franchesca /Telugutalian

Denmark: BigAReact

Poland: Zbigsbujji Chetlur

Sweden: Karl Svanberg

Online Keyboards

lexilogos

typingbaba

branah

Some time ago I received a message from someone who was highly demotivated and was thinking about giving up on language learning, although they were still attached to it ✉️

Out of my answer, I created this post with tips that helped me a lot while I was having a hard time with Japanese. I hope you'll find it helpful too 🥰

Reflection

Ask yourself if you really care about learning this language by writing down a list of pros and cons. Of course, you have to be extremely honest with yourself!

Bonus points if you have a planner you can take a look at to visualize the progress you made with time

Change your routine

It happened so many times that I was on the verge of giving up on a language, so during these moments of burnout, I usually take my current language-learning routine and change it!

I suggest taking some time away from textbooks to focus more on passive learning through native content

Change your mindset

Do not rely on comparison with other learners of the same target language, you should only compare to your past self

Do some people take language learning too serious or not serious enough?

I've seen comments where language learners criticize others for being "too hardcore", "too obsessive" or "too serious". At the same time there are "serious" language learners who criticize others for being "not efficient", "lazy" or "not serious enough", because they prefer to learn at their own pace, take breaks or like to learn several languages instead of focusing on one language to reach a native-like level as fast as possible.

People also argue a lot about whose achievements are more impressive: The one who learned several languages to a level at where they can use the language comfortably (not perfect but they can use their language skills the way they want). Or the one who reached a native-like level in one language within a few years (especially if it's a language that is considered (from a westeners perspective) as very difficult and exotic, like Japanese, Chinese, Korean, ... ).

Does it really matter, if others are impressed? 

Sometimes I have the impression, that some people learn a language to impress. Maybe it's not their only motivation, but it seems like the "coolness factor" is important to them. They treat language learning like a sport or competition. This may be the reason why many people criticize some "serious language learners" for being "arrogant" and for "looking down on others".

On the other hand, some "serious language learners" make fun of casual language learners who like to learn several languages. Because they speak one or two of them fluently (good but not native-level), for example, but the level of the other languages is not very high. In their opinion, it's pointless to do something without becoming really good in a short amount of time. They don't want to learn a language for 10 years until they reach a high level — they want to be really good as fast as possible. Dabbling in different languages seems to be a waste of time in their opinion. 

So, who is right? Which path is better? 

Comparing casual joggers with marathon runners

When I see how fiercely both sides defend their way of learning and criticize each other for being too serious or not serious enough, I think that they are not aware that everyone has different goals and a different personality. Not everyone can learn a language "hardcore" without burning out. But what is too hardcore for one person may be ok for another person. 

There are people who like to work hard and feel great if they make fast progress. They would hate it to learn a language casually because they would feel like they are wasting their time. They want to make progress. They want to compete. This is what drives them forward. This is not necessarily a negative thing, as long as it doesn't turn into obsessive and unhealthy behavior. It's just how they are. 

People who treat language learning more like a hobby and not like a sport, on the other hand, have other goals and priorities than the "serious learners". Maybe they are interested in many languages and cultures. They may be completely satisfied to reach a level at where they can communicate with their friends or neighbors who are native speakers of their target languages. They are not afraid to make mistakes. There's no necessity to speak exactly like a native. They don't want to impress. Or they watch movies in their target languages once or twice a week — just for fun, not to reach the next level. They just want to have a good time. That's also absolutely fine!

Comparing the learning style of people with different goals is like comparing someone who jogs for fun with someone who is training for a marathon. One person just wants to feel good, the other person wants to win. Both goals are valid. If you want to win a marathon, it doesn't make sense to do what the casual jogger does (and vice versa), of course.

In my opinion, it doesn't matter which path you choose, as long as you are satisfied and spend your time in a way you really enjoy. There's nothing wrong with being ambitious and working towards your goal, as long as it doesn't turn into obsessive and unhealthy behavior. It's also okay, if you learn different languages just for fun without reaching a high level. You don't have to impress anyone. If you feel good and enjoy what you are doing, you do it right.

This is the second time I tried Matcha and despite all my effort, it tastes terrible! I'm trying to decrease my coffee consumption so I'm hunting for new drinks. Matcha has lots of health benefits so I've been trying to like it: No luck.