Language learning is a long-term goal. It is a marathon, not a sprint. If you are watching this video, I can imagine a few things about you and your character. You are goal driven and brave. You have grit, determination, and foresight. If you are interested in becoming fluent in a foreign language, you must be interested in humanity, in connection, and adventure. Language learners are strong, ambitious, and try to improve themselves and achieve their goals and dreams.
Welcome to your tribe!
Every minute spent with Parley Blue will be as efficient and effective as possible so that you can reach your goal of fluency faster.
Parley Blue is guided by six research-backed fluency principles. Training by these principles will increase your comprehension, improve your pronunciation, and get you to fluency faster.
Principle 1 – Acquire the language, don’t learn it. Don’t study grammar.
Acquisition is a subconscious process, similar to how children acquire their first language. It occurs through natural, communicative exposure to the target language. When we acquire the language, we don’t need to consciously know the grammar rules, but instead correct phrases just sound and feel right.
Principle 2 – Comprehensible input in the form of full sentences from natives is the most important ingredient for acquiring a language.
We acquire language in multi-word chunks. Flooding your ears and brain with thousands of natural, native sentences allows you to learn the chunks that make up language. But the sentence chunks must be comprehensible. Meaning, the listener must have context and a way to decipher what is being said.
Principle 3 – The best input is meaningful, interesting, and customized to the student.
Why? Because when you are interested, you are motivated. An endorphin rush and sense of accomplishment will help you stay consistent on your path to fluency.
Principle 4 – Speak a lot, speak correctly, and speak to communicate.
Mimic native speakers. Be a parrot. By doing so, you’ll limit grammar mistakes, develop a stellar accent, and communicate faster. Speaking to communicate will give you instant feedback from natives.
Principle 5 – Short intense periods of focused deliberate practice are better than longer periods of passive engagement.
Deliberate practice is the difference between endless frustration and consistent progress. Deliberate practice is the science of expertise. It’s the idea that anyone can achieve a level of proficiency in most skills if they employ intense, focused, guided, and repetitive practice.
Principle 6 – Maximize motivation, maximize self-confidence, and minimize anxiety.
When you are serious about getting into shape, you work with a personal trainer. Athletes have coaches and universities have study groups. Having someone in your corner to guide you and encourage you will help you achieve fluency faster. We have your back. We are here for you.
Language learning shouldn’t be a solo endeavor. Don’t do it alone. After all, language is innately social.
Good luck on your journey to awesomeness! And remember,
“The expert in anything was once a beginner.” – Helen Hayes