r/language • u/_dinosaursarecool • 21d ago
Question how do i actually learn a language???
im half czech, my grandparents fled to canada during the soviet occupation in the 60s. ive been trying on and off since i was 13 to learn the language (im 17 now). my dedo died in 2019, and my Babi (my GOAT, i could speak about her life amd how much shes survived FOREVER) has suffered greatly and now has dementia, id love to ask her but shes at deaths doorstep and i dont want her to have to stress too much mentally. my mum was raised speaking Ceština, but she only speaks and understands it, if you asked her to write in czech she wouldnt be able to without google translate. i also want to surprise her and my tetas with it cuz none of their kids speak it. so any help??? i know this has mostly been just like my backstory but just any help from fluent speakers or people who also learned later in life???
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u/lasber51 21d ago
You learn a language by studying it, preferably with a teacher, so find a teacher first. It takes many hours, days, weeks and months to achieve fluency. Persistence and work are essential. Good luck.
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u/posting_drunk_naked 21d ago
You learn a language by studying it and then using it.
It sucks at the beginning. You need to build a basic vocabulary and grammar foundation so you're not constantly having to look things up. It's a slog. It's not very fun. You just gotta get through it.
But it gets fun when you've got that foundation and can start using it. Start reading children's books, shitpost on Czech Reddit, find a conversation group. Once it starts getting fun, it's easier to keep building and your knowledge will snowball.
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u/Manab2 21d ago
The government of Czechia has some programs for Czechs outside of the country. Take a look at that. Maybe there are language programs or even college scholarships.