Fluent Forever

The ultimate rapid language-learning guide! For those who’ve despaired of ever learning a foreign language, here, finally, is a book that will make the words stick. At thirty years old, Gabriel Wyner speaks six languages fluently. He didn’t learn them in school -- who does? -- rather, he learned them in the past few years, working on his own and practicing on the subway, using simple techniques and free online resources. In Fluent Forever Wyner reveals what he’s discovered. The greatest challenge to learning a foreign language is the challenge of memory; there are just too many words and too many rules. For every new word we learn, we seem to forget two old ones, and as a result, fluency can seem out of reach. Fluent Forever tackles this challenge head-on. With empathy for the language-challenged and abundant humor, Wyner deconstructs the learning process, revealing how to build a foreign language in your mind from the ground up. Starting with pronunciation, you’ll learn how to rewire your ears and turn foreign sounds into familiar sounds. You'll retrain your tongue to produce those sounds accurately, using tricks from opera singers and actors. Next, you'll begin to tackle words, and connect sounds and spellings to imagery, rather than translations, which will enable you to think in a foreign language . And with the help of sophisticated spaced-repetition techniques, you'll be able to memorize hundreds of words a month in minutes every day. Soon, you'll gain the ability to learn grammar and more difficult abstract words-- without the tedious drills and exercises of language classes and grammar books. This is brain hacking at its most exciting, taking what we know about neuroscience and linguistics and using it to create the most efficient and enjoyable way to learn a foreign language in the spare minutes of your day.

"This is a fun way for anyone to discover the secrets of language instruction presented in a conversational, stress-free way — no matter how little time you have."
--The Chicago Tribune

“A brilliant and thoroughly modern guide to learning new languages. Fluent Forever won't teach you French, or German, or any other language -- but it will teach you how to learn whatever language you do want to learn, and to learn it faster, and more efficiently.  If you want a new language to stick, start here.”
--Gary Marcus, cognitive psychologist and author of the New York Times bestseller Guitar Zero
 
“Aspiring polyglots of the world, take note: this book will help you pick up any new language in record time. If you’re looking for a practical, brain-friendly, field-tested approach to language learning, search no more: you’ve found your guide.”
--Josh Kaufman, bestselling author of The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything…Fast!
 
“Never before have I seen a language-learning method -- or method for learning anything! -- that synchs up so perfectly with our current scientific understanding of how memory works. I now understand why my past attempts to learn other languages (Spanish, German, Latin) have left me with little more than a smattering of near-random vocabulary words, and I'm inspired to try again. Fluent Forever promises a fun, personalized learning regimen that is sure to wire a new tongue into your brain with speed and simplicity. And Wyner’s sharp wit will keep you entertained along the way! I've never been so excited to challenge my mind.”
--Karen Schrock Simring, contributing editor at Scientific American Mind magazine
 
“Fluent Forever more than meets the daunting challenge of learning a new language by giving the reader a solid game plan based on how people actually learn and memorize information. From the first chapter, I couldn't wait to get started using Wyner's techniques and tons of resources. His writing is engaging, smart, and conversational, making learning a real joy. If you've ever wanted to become fluent in another language, do yourself a favor and start reading Fluent Forever now.”
--Melanie Pinola, Contributor Writer for LIfehacker.com and author of LinkedIn in 30 Minutes
 
"Fluent Forever is the book I wish I had had during my numerous failed attempts at learning different languages. It’s a refreshingly fun and engaging guide that shows you how to language-hack your brain.  Wyner’s done all the hard work so that the reader can actually enjoy the process of becoming fluent in a language quickly!"
--Nelson Dellis, 2011 and 2012 USA Memory Champion
 
“This is the book I'd use next time I want to learn a new language. It employs an intelligent mix of the latest methods for learning a language on your own using the web, apps, and voice training tips in an accelerated time frame.
--Kevin Kelly, Senior Maverick for Wired Magazine and author of What Technology Wants
 
"I know what you're thinking: But learning a new language is soooo hard! The solution? Stop being a whiner and start reading Wyner.  This book is a winner!  Guaranteed to rewire your brain in as many languages as you'd like."
--Joel Saltzman, author of Shake That Brain!: How to Create Winning Solutions and Have Fun While You're at It
 
“An excellent book…Wyner writes in an engaging and accessible way, weaving in his personal language journey. His method, proven by his own achievements, is clear: focus on pronunciation, avoid translation, and use spaced repetition extensively.  And he offers lots of specific techniques to make sure you’ll never forget what you’ve learned.  I'd recommend this book to anyone who is serious -- not just aspiring but really serious -- about becoming fluent in a foreign language.”
--Kevin Chen, Co-Founder, italki.com
 
“Mash up the DNA of Steve Jobs and Aristotle, add training in engineering and opera, and you get Gabriel Wyner, whose ingeniously elegant system helps us knuckleheads learn not just foreign languages but, well, everything. Autodidacts rejoice!”
--Jay Heinrichs, author of Thank You for Arguing *and *Word Hero
 
“Americans refuse to realize that all languages are foreign -- yes, including English. It's time we learned how to speak like the rest of the world: in more ways than one. This book is a hilarious toolbox that helps you get a head start. Pick a foreign language (yes, including English) and voilà: el futuro es tuyo. High-five to Gabriel Wyner!”
--Ilan Stavans, author of Dictionary Days: A Defining Passion 

Autorentext

Gabriel Wyner graduated summa cum laude at USC, where he won the school’s Renaissance Award.  His essay on language learning for Lifehacker.com was one of the site’s most read in 2012.

Klappentext

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • For anyone who wants to learn a foreign language, this is the method that will finally make the words stick.

"A brilliant and thoroughly modern guide to learning new languages."-Gary Marcus, cognitive psychologist and author of the New York Times bestseller Guitar Zero

At thirty years old, Gabriel Wyner speaks six languages fluently. He didn't learn them in school-who does? Rather, he learned them in the past few years, working on his own and practicing on the subway, using simple techniques and free online resources-and here he wants to show others what he's discovered.

Starting with pronunciation, you'll learn how to rewire your ears and turn foreign sounds into familiar sounds. You'll retrain your tongue to produce those sounds accurately, using tricks from opera singers and act…