Refold Language Learning Explained
Refold is the first complete language learning solution. Whether you’re learning Spanish, Japanese, English, Chinese or anything else. We show you how to learn a language from zero to fluency with a method that adapts to fit your lifestyle, interests, and goals.
The Problems with Language Learning
There are two primary problems with language learning (and especially language learning apps):
The traditional methods don’t work
Motivation won’t take you to fluency
Traditional Language Learning Doesn’t Work
The traditional methods (text books, grammar drills, and things like that) might seem to work well, but only for a few days or weeks. If your goal is to be able to speak at a high level, easily, you need a different approach.
And the core of that approach is “comprehensible input.”
Comprehensible input is any kind of media (TV shows, books, podcasts, etc.) that you can understand, even if you don’t know all the words and grammar involved.
When you read or listen to comprehensible input, your brain builds an instinct for how the language works. If you start with easy comprehensible input and slowly increase the difficulty over time, you will eventually be able to understand native speakers — easily and instinctually.
The issue for new learners is that they can’t find comprehensible input at the right level for them. Instructional materials are too easy, and media for native speakers is too hard.
To solve this problem, Refold shows you how to use tools and techniques to make challenging media more comprehensible and enjoyable. In the beginning you’ll rely on these tools a lot, but eventually you’ll be able to understand difficult content without any support. With Refold you can enjoy media created for native speakers starting from day 1.
Motivation Doesn’t Work
Most people end up relying on motivation to learn a new language. But motivation comes and goes as it pleases.
Our society places a lot of emphasis on motivation, despite its shortcomings.
We know that each and every one of us has the capability to learn a language.
So, a large part of our method is focused on sustainable habits and processes to make sure you get to fluency, no matter what.
How to Learn ANY Language
How do you learn a language, then? If traditional methods and motivation won’t help, what’s the alternative?
Second Language Acquisition
Since the early 80s, second language researchers have discovered one fact, over and over.
Humans learn languages through “input.”
Despite how well you might have done in your language classes growing up, humans are actually excellent at learning languages. Everyone speaks at least one, without even trying. We pick up the patterns of our native languages as children, through observation and interaction. Our brains are pattern matching MACHINES.
All we need is exposure to those patterns. Lots and lots of time and repetition leads to excellent pattern recognition, knowledge, and language fluency.
That’s what comprehensible input is. Time spent understanding the patterns of a language.
How to SPEAK a foreign language
While we usually use the word “speak” a foreign language (at least in English), speaking actually isn’t needed in order to learn. In fact, it’s not very useful while you’re still a beginner.
Speaking (or writing) before you know how the language sounds can stress you out and make your learning painful, which is an important part of being able to learn.
This is counterintuitive, which is why speaking is taught from day 1 in most classrooms around the world. Speaking and writing help you refine your instinct, but only what’s already there.
Focusing on understanding first is much easier and leads to deeper fluency.
What is comprehensible input?
Comprehensible input is any kind of media (TV shows, books, podcasts, etc.) that you can understand, even if you don’t know all the words and grammar involved.
When you read or listen to comprehensible input, your brain builds an instinct for how the language works. If you start with easy comprehensible input and slowly increase the difficulty over time, you will eventually be able to understand native speakers — easily and instinctually.
The issue for new learners is that they can’t find comprehensible input at the right level for them. Instructional materials are too easy, and media for native speakers is too hard.
To solve this problem, Refold shows you how to use tools and techniques to make challenging media more comprehensible and enjoyable. In the beginning you’ll rely on these tools a lot, but eventually you’ll be able to understand difficult content without any support. With Refold, you can enjoy media created for native speakers starting from day 1.
Learning a new language takes a LONG time
Language learning is a long process. It’s not enough to spend ten minutes a day or one day a week learning — you need to make a lifestyle change.
Refold teaches you how to integrate a new language into your life in a fun and sustainable way. For example, we help you convert your entertainment habits to your new language.
The Refold Method Overview
Our method focuses on all the fundamental skills needed for using a language in all aspects. But, we know that language learning isn’t a simple, linear path. Below, you’ll find a very simplified list for learning. Keep in mind that the actual phases are more nuanced (which is covered below).
Here are the general phases of the Refold Method:
- Establish a foundation with the basics of the language
- Build on that foundation by developing reading fluency
- Develop listening fluency to be able to understand with only your ears
- Practice your speaking ability to become comfortable using the language
- Focus on your mistakes through writing practice
- Solidify all your abilities and become a fluent user of the language
Phase 1: Foundation
Goal: Learn to understand 2000 words in context
In phase 1, you’re focused on the absolute basics of the language — the common words and patterns. You want to turn it from gibberish to familiar gibberish.
How to achieve the goal:
- Build basic reading and listening comprehension by reading media with matching audio (e.g. audiobooks with accompanying text, TV shows with subtitles, graded readers or textbook dialogues with audio, and podcasts with transcripts).
- Use vocabulary flashcards to learn the most frequent words.
- Spend a little time reading about common grammar patterns.
Phase 2: Reading (+ Listening)
Goal: Learn to understand 5000 words in context
In phase 2, your goal is to understand the language in common scenarios, when given time to think. When you slowly watch a scene of two natives chatting with subtitles, you can follow along and understand their meaning.
How to achieve the goal:
- Read a lot of media, with accompanying audio.
- Use vocabulary flashcards to learn common words from your reading material.
- Spend a little time each day reading about intermediate grammar patterns.
Phase 3: Listening
Goal: Be able to easily and quickly understand everyday conversation with listening
In phase 3, you’ll be focusing on taking your decent, slow understanding and converting it to speedy comprehension.
You’ll be practicing with audio only to train your ear to hear the language as it is. This phase also can take a while, but is when the language starts to be “effortlessly fun.” Meaning that you could spend hours enjoying things without too much brain juice.
How to achieve the goal:
- Listen to a lot of media at your level.
- Do focused listening exercises.
- Practice your pronunciation (most pronunciation activities are secretly listening exercises).
Phase 4: Speaking
Goal: Become comfortable speaking the language
In phase 4, you’re going to focus on being comfortable speaking. This might sound odd, but when you start, you will feel clumsy and awkward. This happens because you’ll have a language instinct and be able to tell where your problems are. You’ll make plenty of errors, but you’ll improve rapidly and feel… not terrible. Your speaking will be impressive to natives, they’ll say “Wait, this is only your 3rd conversation ever?”
But, just as a reminder, there’s more to all these stages. In this phase, you’ll also start writing and continue doing reading and listening. But speaking comfort is the main focus.
How to achieve the goal:
- Speak a lot with native speakers.
- Speak on your own to build confidence.
- Continue doing pronunciation drills.
- Continue listening to a lot of media.
Phase 5: Writing
Goal: Learn to produce correct and natural language
In phase 5, you’ll be focusing on all those mistakes you made in phase 4. Now that you don’t feel ridiculous, you can take the time to improve them and sound more like an adult rather than a weirdly large and smart 6-year-old.
You’ll be focusing on slower output, so more writing, to analyze the language and learn where your biggest mistakes are.
How to achieve the goal:
- Practice writing and get corrections from native speakers.
- Continue having conversations but focus on your mistakes.
- Review your most frequent mistakes.
- Continue with all your favorite input activities.
Phase 6: Fluency
Goal: Be able to easily use the language in many contexts
Once you’re comfortable and mostly correct, it’s time to let that all sink in and become a fluent user of the language. Phase 6 is different for everyone, but it’s more or less time spent getting used to your new abilities.
You’ll be spending time doing things in the language, exploring new topics, and continuing to learn.
How to achieve the goal:
- Continue doing everything from phases 2-6.
- Focus on improving the skills that are lagging behind the others.
- Push yourself out of your comfort zone to become a well-rounded user of the language.
Phase 7+: Beyond
Goal: Expand your abilities
Congratulations! You’re a fluent user of the language, and you’re on your own to explore new topics, make new friends, and continue to practice your abilities.
Potential activities:
- Start a blog in the language
- Start a YouTube channel in the language
- Write essays or articles
- Make materials for other learners
- Have fun with the language
- Learn a dialect or regional accent of the language
- Study for (and pass) the C2 exam (or equivalent test)
- Anything activity from a previous stage, but with harder materials
Learners love Refold
I’m waking up and saying “Sweet, I get to do Japanese today!” instead of saying “Ugh, I have to do Japanese today”.
I was able to sit down with my coach and figure out an exact plan that worked for my schedule.
Without a doubt, I feel absolutely confident in my ability to achieve my Japanese goals through the process of Refold coaching.
I definitely found coaching made Japanese study a lot more accessible for me.
I now feel confident I can spend my time wisely and enjoyably, and still make improvements on my learning.
