How to Really Learn French or Spanish Quickly on a Budget

Before we being let's first have a discussion about the realistic expectations of learning a foreign language. You can type, "How long does it take to become fluent in ______?" in Google get hundreds of opinions, but usually there are two problems with the responses you'll find.

The first problem with the average opinions you'll find on language learning is that they are based on becoming 100% fluent. Complete fluency is not realistic unless you have access to a location where that language spoken fluently on a large scale. The amount of study required to become fluent differs from language to language, but there is a great article on how many hours it will take you here. 

The other problem with the language learning is that most of the programs are boring, grueling, tedious, and costly. The average person sets out with excitement and high hopes only to quickly quit because the process becomes too much of a chore. Trust me I've gone through a few hours of Rosetta Stone and it was so boring I wanted to gouge my eyes out.

There are 3 types of people that want to learn a foreign language, and I have a solution for each:

First, if you want to learn a language because you are being relocated to another country and have limited time to do so you should really be looking for professional help. Sign up for local classes, hire a tutor, and dedicate yourself as much a possible until you move. This group of people is probably the smallest group of people that want to learn a new language.

Second, if you want to learn a language because you are travelling on vacation in less than six months try to focus on learning the basics only. The Michel Thomas CD's are great because you can listen in the car and the lessons are useful (how to order food at a restaurant, etc.). 

The last group of people that want to learn a language have no set time limit to do so and can work at their own pace. I think the last group makes up the majority of people and I have the best solution for you if you are in this group.

There are two great language learning programs out there that are free to watch online. French in Action for French and Destino's for Spanish (and there may be more language shows out there if you search). Each series consists of 52 episodes that are about 30 minutes long. These were originally filmed in the late 1980s so they look a little dated but you'll quickly forget about this after watching for a few minutes.

The programs are effective because little or no English is spoken. You learn just like a child learns by matching the foreign words to the objects and actions you see on screen. The best way to use the program is by watching one episode everyday. Once you watch all 52 episodes start over again at episode one. During the first run through you'll miss a lot of what is being said, but after running through the series two or three times you'll understand almost everything.

Another great (and free) resource is Memrise. It is a website you can use to build your vocabulary between watching the TV shows listed above. I think it is much more interesting and effective than a vocabulary program like Rosetta Stone simply because it uses a unique memorization approach that really works. The site was created by a competitive memory champion. 

Don't overlook the educational value of these resources because they are free. Many action fakers buy language programs only to use them once. It was the act of buying something, and not the actual language learning, that was their deep desire. Don't fall into that trap.

Once you've gone through the videos mentioned above and the intro course on Memrise you should understand at least 2,000 foreign words. This should be enough words for you to watch and enjoy TV shows in that foreign language (You'll probably understand 30-40%).

To increase your fluency to a really usable level I would suggest Assimil's "With Ease" courses. The course is very affordable and will help tie everything you've previously learned together. Assimil is almost unheard of here in the U.S. but is very popular among Europeans learning a second language. Out of all the language programs Assimil is my favorite, but , it should not be the first one you work through or you'll be overwhelmed.

Spend 30 minutes a day and work through each program individually in the order I gave above before moving onto the next program. You'll find that by the time you start to get bored with one you'll be finishing it up and starting on the next program. This will keep your interest over the long haul and keep you on the road to fluency.    

Axiom 44: Networking

"The richest people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else looks for work." -Robert Kiyosaki

"Poverty, I realized, wasn't only a lack of financial resources; it was isolation from the kind of people that could help you make more of yourself." -Keith Ferrazzi

Networking is one of the most critical things that everyone should do that somehow doesn't get the priority that it deserves. This world really is about who you know just as much as what you know.

So why don't people put more emphasis on networking if the potential payback is so great?

I believe there are a few misconceptions that put up an internal barrier preventing active, outgoing networking: 

The first misconception is networking appears to be something that only extroverted, smooth-talking sales people can be great at. The truth is that we all meet new people in business each and every week. Just take a little extra time to reach out and remember these people and make sure that you are memorable in their minds as well. Being sincere will go along way and you don't need to put a sales pitch on everyone you meet just to win them over.

The second common misconception is that it requires a good amount of time and resources to become a great networker  The truth is that now with the advent of online sites like LinkedIn networking is free and easy. There are also more traditional networking opportunities in the form of joining industry organizations, attending trade shows, visiting customers or vendors, receiving trade magazines, and so on. Many employers are willing to cover the costs of these traditional networking activities if they see a benefit to the company from it.

The third misconception is that you need to network with really successful people to see results. The truth is that we all started at the bottom. Networking at the bottom will pay off eventually. The man or woman you take the time to help when they are starting out may be indebted to you someday if they become successful down the line. Everyone is trying to move up in this world so don't devalue a connection because of their current experience.

Really successful people have numerous connections across multiple industries. Make today the start of trying to actively build your professional network. If you do this successfully you'll never find yourself without a job, without a client base, without a favor you can call in, and most importantly you'll never find yourself without the resources to bounce back in tough times.  

My Review of Katz's Deli in New York City

Until this year I had been to New York a couple times before but never made it to Katz's Deli. 

"I've been to Carnegie Deli, that's close enough," I thought. 

This trip was going to be different. I was going to go out of my way and head down to the Lower East Side to Katz's to see what all the buzz was about.

I left the touristy glitz of the Theater District and caught the F train down to Houston Street. The neighborhood looked a little sketchy. Still I continued a to walk a couple blocks over to Katz's where I saw a long line around the building. This was a good sign.

In line the I overheard someone saying this place was a tourist trap. After about a 10 minute wait I got inside to what reminded me of organized chaos. I was handed a pink ticket and told to get in one of the six lines to order. The place was packed.

I was a little put off by the crowd, the confusion of the whole process, and the comment that I overheard in line that I was at a tourist trap. I was starting to expect disappointment.

Then I got to the front of the line and ordered a pastrami sandwich on rye. The guy cut me a sample piece and gave it to me. "Holy S**t!, Amazing!"

Then the guy next to me in line said, "I'm from Queens. When I want the good stuff, the really good stuff, this is the only place to come."

And he was right. This sandwich was amazing. Better than any other sandwich I have ever had. It was worth the trek out here. All I could think was that I was glad I didn't cop out and go to Carnegie instead.

So if you're in NYC mark this down as a definite stop for lunch. This place has been around since 1888 and they are still here with a line out the door for a reason!

Katz's Delicatessen - 205 E. Houston Street - katzdeli.com