How to study language when you are busy with school

[Dzi]

I am currently studying in college. But I really, really want to learn Korean language, and I am finding it really hard to dedicate time to language learning because I already have too much to juggle - studies, duties as a dormitory officer, family, friends, dancing, etc. I just wanted to ask: how can I continue learning Korean when I don't have enough time to spare, since from what I read, time spent in exposure to the language is the key to learning?

[linguaholic]

5 hours ago, Dzi said:

I am currently studying in college. But I really, really want to learn Korean language, and I am finding it really hard to dedicate time to language learning because I already have too much to juggle - studies, duties as a dormitory officer, family, friends, dancing, etc. I just wanted to ask: how can I continue learning Korean when I don't have enough time to spare, since from what I read, time spent in exposure to the language is the key to learning?

Well yes, I am pretty sure the time spent plays a crucial role. For instance in listening, it will be easier for your brain to recall vocabulary that you hear often (frequency is the key). So maybe you could listen to some audio (like Pimsleur, etc) while you are doing other things. I often listen to Chinese Pod while cleaning the kitchen or doing some other kind of work. It really helps me to learn and memorize new vocabulary.

[宇崎ちゃん]

One word: agenda.

Instead of doing stuff whenever you feel like doing, just schedule your tasks accordingly.
I'm using Google Calendar myself, I make a schedule like a whole month in advance.

A successful schedule looks like this:

1. Schedule your school and/or work hours first, as you have no control over them yourself.
2. Schedule all your appointments you've already made.
3. Schedule your learning and other activities now.

This really helps me improving my Japanese, learning Russian and working on multiple hobby projects, without interference with work.

[linguaholic]

1 hour ago, ePutonghua said:

Learn Putonghua – Could you put these sentences in order? – www.e-Putonghua.com

B, A, C...However, your post does not have anything to do with the original question of this thread. if you want to introduce your business, please use the appropriate section for it. 

[jonasclick]

On 21.2.2017 at 1:31 AM, Dzi said:

I am currently studying in college. But I really, really want to learn Korean language, and I am finding it really hard to dedicate time to language learning because I already have too much to juggle - studies, duties as a dormitory officer, family, friends, dancing, etc. I just wanted to ask: how can I continue learning Korean when I don't have enough time to spare, since from what I read, time spent in exposure to the language is the key to learning?

I would recommend you to find a text with an audio and do the following steps:

1.) Translate the text (word by word) and write the translation under every word you don't understand "at first sight".

2.) Listen to the text while you're reading the original text and as you arrive to the words you don't understood, switch down to the translation (you've made) and read the words you don't now already in your NL. Do this several times, as long as you're familiar with the new words.

3.) Now you should be able to listen to the audio (without reading) and understand all the words.

4.) This is the point where the "time saver" comes in: Now store your language stuff away and continue listening to the audio. Set the volume of your computer/mobile phone to a very low level so that you just can hear all the words. Now you can do other things (like cooking, cleaning your flat, hiking etc.) and you can train yourself not to concentrate at all on your audio (it's possible, I made it too) what will allow you to do more "advanced" tasks while listening (studying, reading, homework, writing).

The good thing about this method is, that you don't have to practice but instead you delegate the practicing to your brain (this is what happens when listening unconsciously to your text). You will sometimes "detect" a word or two and then return to your task you're concentrating on - this is normal ...

Me myself I learned a lot with this "time saving method" (called the "method of Birkenbihl", by the way) and I'm now even learning complex latin texts with this method - it works like magic...

Greetings, Jonas

[CooperLee]

On 3/2/2017 at 8:45 AM, jonasclick said:

I would recommend you to find a text with an audio and do the following steps:

1.) Translate the text (word by word) and write the translation under every word you don't understand "at first sight".

2.) Listen to the text while you're reading the original text and as you arrive to the words you don't understood, switch down to the translation (you've made) and read the words you don't now already in your NL. Do this several times, as long as you're familiar with the new words.

3.) Now you should be able to listen to the audio (without reading) and understand all the words.

4.) This is the point where the "time saver" comes in: Now store your language stuff away and continue listening to the audio. Set the volume of your computer/mobile phone to a very low level so that you just can hear all the words. Now you can do other things (like cooking, cleaning your flat, hiking etc.) and you can train yourself not to concentrate at all on your audio (it's possible, I made it too) what will allow you to do more "advanced" tasks while listening (studying, reading, homework, writing).

The good thing about this method is, that you don't have to practice but instead you delegate the practicing to your brain (this is what happens when listening unconsciously to your text). You will sometimes "detect" a word or two and then return to your task you're concentrating on - this is normal ...

Me myself I learned a lot with this "time saving method" (called the "method of Birkenbihl", by the way) and I'm now even learning complex latin texts with this method - it works like magic...

Greetings, Jonas

Thanks for this useful tips!

[EstherGibbs]

Very helpful thread. For me, it's also somethimes hard to combine studies and the learning process, but I manage to do it. I try to pay enough attention to both language learning and my studies, but somethimes I lack time. So, I try to be more productive and improve my time management to have time for everything. And sometimes, use some help, especially when I have a lot of writing tasks. I use some assistance of https://papersowl.com/do-my-homework when I feel that I need some help to do my homework, and it saves me a lot of time and effort. I think it's better to use help and get a quality result than do everything in a rush. So, that is how I manage to do everything - time management and quality help.