How to Learn a Language the Lazy Way

Not your average ‘learn French in 90 days’ article.

Port Royal, South Carolina illustration from Grand voyages (1596) by Theodor de Bry (1528–1598). Original from The New York Public Library. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.

Learning a language is tricky because you always end up thinking there is one special trick you have to do, study grammar points for six hours a day and vocabulary for ten, then spend the next eight hours on speaking practice. A surefire way to learn, all you have to do is: give up on everything else in your life.