Language Transfer is an incredible project by Mihalis Eleftheriou to teach not only languages but a method of learning.

First off, the free courses are excellent. The recordings are available on the web, but the content is also available through Apple and Android apps.

I’ve personally only completed the German course, but I intend to complete the Spanish and French courses as well.

I think these courses exhibit a few important aspects of learning that make them so effective.

  • Student interaction and a call / response methodology to engage students.
  • Pausing for reflection and forming connections. In fact it’s emphasized to facilitate active recall of the material.
  • Repetition. Returning to previous content at appropriate intervals to improve recall.

Miahlis’s method makes it clear that’s okay to slow down and simply think deeply about what you’re learning and not be in such a hurry to get everything right away.

I’ve found that when I pause and reflect more often just like Mihalis recommends, my knowledge sticks around longer, it’s richer, and learning a language starts to feel less like a race and more like a walk in the park.