As people, we like to simplify things. The simpler they are, the easier it is to get our heads around the core concepts that can affect us. In language learning, there are three key principles that drill all the work involved into a neat and tight package.
Principle 1: Exposure
You have to expose yourself to a large mass of comprehensible input. Yes, that means trying to absorb as much information as possible, whether through classes, self-study language software, books or film.
Note the key word “comprehensible,” though. Scanning 100 Japanese novels isn’t likely to help you learn the language. They must be in a form you can understand, such as what many language learning materials strive to deliver.
Principle 2: Practice
You need to engage in extensive practice. That means using the language, both in spoken and written form. Communicate with fellow learners and native speakers as much as you can. The more practice you get, the more beneficial it will be.
Principle 3: Get To Know The People
Learning a language becomes all that much easier when you understand the people who speak it. See, language is not merely a series of syllables and utterances. It’s a reflection of the culture behind the people that use it. The better you get to know them, the more insights you gain into their way of speaking.