Refold

Philosophy behind the Refold Method

We believe you should learn to understand a new language before you try to speak it.

Speaking before you can understand is difficult. You lack both the intuition for the language’s grammar and the vocabulary to properly express yourself.

Speaking after you can already understand is much easier. In the process of learning to understand the language, you build a natural instinct for how it’s supposed to sound, just like you did for your native language. Things will just "sound right" or "sound wrong” to your ears.

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.

The Refold Method Overview

1. Establish a foundation in reading and listening.
2. Build on that foundation by developing reading fluency.
3. Develop listening fluency by learning to hear what you already know
4. Convert your understanding of the language into speaking and writing fluency.

Phase 2: Reading Fluency

Goal:

Develop reading fluency

How to achieve the goal:

• Read a lot of media, with or without audio.
• Use vocabulary flashcards to learn common words from your reading material.
• Spend a little time each day reading about intermediate grammar patterns.

Requirements to continue to Phase 3:

• Learn and understand 5,000 words in context.
• Become comfortable reading everyday conversation (TV subtitles, book dialogues, podcast transcripts).

Phase 4: Speaking and Writing Fluency

Goal:

Develop speaking and writing fluency

How to achieve the goal:

• Speak a lot with native speakers.
• Practice writing and have a native speaker correct your mistakes.
• Continue doing pronunciation drills.
• Continue listening to a lot of media.

Requirement to finish Phase 4.

Become very comfortable speaking and writing in casual conversation.