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Language Journey

Exploring the world through languages. From native fluency to beginner curiosity, here's my ongoing journey of linguistic discovery and cultural connection.

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English

English

Native

My native language used daily for work, communication, and media consumption.

Proficiency100%
21 years
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French

Français

B2

I started in middle school, passed B2 exam senior year. I can handle conversations and read texts.

Proficiency67%
9 years

Current Goals

Reach C1 level
Advance speaking skills
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Spanish

Español

B1

I'm currently living in Argentina, learning rapidly. I can hold conversations, read literature, and work professionally.

Proficiency50%
7 months

Current Goals

Reach C1 level
Expand verb tense knowledge
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Ukrainian

Українська

A2

I have Ukrainian family background, known since childhood. I'm familiar at intuitive level, need advancement.

Proficiency33%
17 years

Current Goals

Learn noun tenses and more vocab
Read more
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Russian

Русский

A2

I have Ukrainian family background, known since childhood. My Ukrainian knowledge aids learning, I'm familiar with vocabulary.

Proficiency33%
3 months

Current Goals

Learn more vocab and verbs
Read more
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Portuguese

Português

A1

I love traveling to Brazil and the Brazilian Portuguese accent. My Spanish similarity provides learning advantage.

Proficiency17%
2 months

Current Goals

Aim for B1 by end of year
Learn most common verbs in past/present/future

Learning Strategy

Core Principles

  • Integrate target language wherever possible
  • Make friends who are native speakers and talk to them in your target language
  • Enjoy it - find joy in the process. If you're not enjoying it, you're doing something wrong
  • Don't set aside much time - it's a long-term game requiring consistent exposure, not countless hours
  • Start speaking as soon as you can - go to meetups, use HelloTalk, Chatroulette, Discord servers
  • Don't worry about grammar, just gain input. You'll learn grammar over time
  • Don't let 'I'm bad at languages' be a self-fulfilling prophecy

Comprehensible Input

  • Mostly understandable: language you mostly understand, even with a few new words
  • Grasp the gist: follow meaning through context, gradually absorbing new elements
  • Just above your level: challenging but achievable, like lifting weights slightly above current strength
  • Aim for 85-90% comprehension

LLM Strategies

  • Generate comprehensible input at your level
  • Create content that interests you - don't force yourself to read things you don't want to
  • Ask unlimited questions - LLMs are infinitely patient
  • Get feedback on your writing with good prompts
  • Create news summaries and translations
  • Use NotebookLM and Gemini to make podcasts
  • Switch your phone language to target language
  • Create cloze tests, articles with new vocab, quizzes, grammar games
  • Correct phrasing to sound more natural, fix grammar, suggest vocabulary
  • Roleplay scenarios you'd be in for context practice
  • Write daily journals and receive corrections
  • Make your daily LLM use in your target language

Language Learning Resources

Steve Kaufmann

Steve Kaufmann's language philosophy is pragmatic and smart. He describes how to not fall into the modern-day pitfalls of language learning and how to integrate your target language into your life.

Visit Channel

Future Language Goals

Short-term (6 months)

  • Reach B2/C1 level in Spanish
  • Master Cyrillic alphabet (Ukrainian/Russian)
  • Basic conversation skills in Portuguese

Long-term (1-2 years)

  • Reach C1 level in Ukrainian and Russian
  • Reach B2 level in Portuguese
  • Begin learning an Asian language (likely Vietnamese)

Get in Touch

Looking for language exchange partners or want to discuss learning strategies? I'm always interested in connecting with fellow language learners.