Show HN: I wrote a book on language learning and released it free

29 points by jamager ↗ HN
As hard as I tried, I didn't find a modern language learning book that's either very academic, or like "master a language with my super-magic great method in 3 months".

So I dug into the academic research, tried many techniques myself, saw what worked, wrote a book for learners of any language and any level, and made it free without ads.

Today, finally, a 2 years-long project ends. I hope it helps anyone.

Book's here: https://thehardway.guide/

Cheers

9 comments

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btw, if you like, I'd appreciate if you help me share it, just for the sake of seeing one's work being useful!
Thanks, this is really cool. I can't wait to read more.
yw, I hope you like it... any feedback is of course welcome
Congrats on finishing this. I love the domain name!
interesting, at 100 pages i can skim it. i tried learning spanish, and lost some motivation after getting overwhelmed lol.

the comprehensive input thing caught my eye though. i never dug into it much. reddit spanish subs really hype dreamingspanish, idk it seems to good to be true, like with no effort except listening and I can learn? curious about some opinions about it.

With no effort no, that's why the domain name ;)

The great inside (for me) of the comprehensive input theory is the idea of trying extensive reading first: focus on the message, don't look up words, avoid interruptions, be ok not understanding everything, keep at it for a good while.

Then you can do a "second pass" with a stronger focus on language and new words to really drive it home, but the first extensive pass is important, and yes, a bit more effortless (if you find the right resources, and depending on level and language).

The original theory made more controversial claims that have been heavily criticized and they go a bit against the experience of many learners, name that you can only learn when you read and listen.

yeah that makes sense, i think that youtube channel i mentioned and communtity beleive that you can learn only from listening/watching. idk I found my self leaning on the spanish I learned in highschool that wasn't fun or easy
I am old and teaching myself Spanish. I am starting with the Fluent Forever 625 list of words with an anki deck and then I will worry about other aspects of the language. A native speaker audio saying the word and then an image of what the word is on the other side is pretty ideal.