Learning a language doesn't happen overnight. It takes a while, so it's important to build a solid foundation of skills, tools, habits, and knowledge that will prepare you for the journey.
By the end of Phase 1, you won't be totally lost when looking at your target language. You'll have an environment and routine that push you toward success.
This phase can seem a bit boring or slow at times, but setting up a strong base allows you to feel sure of your process and make continuous progress in all the other phases. If you already have some experience with your target language but are just starting with the Refold Method, you may move through this phase more quickly than expected.
| Cousin | Similar | Neutral | Distant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 75 | 100 | 150 |
These are rough estimates to set expectations. Your actual time will depend on many factors. If you're somewhere in the ballpark, you're doing fine. Categories of Language Difficulty
The very first thing you do is get your bearings. You'll learn your first 100 words, get familiar with the sounds of the language, and start noticing patterns in real content. Think of it as gearing up for the journey ahead.
Tracking what you do and how much time you spend is directly correlated with success. This sub-phase is about setting up that system and building a consistent daily routine.
The most common 1000 words make up about 70% of any language. You'll start learning those words and practicing real comprehension with native content, using tools and techniques to understand more than you otherwise could.
Before taking the next leap, you need to settle into your routine and build comfort. You'll increase your daily time, introduce a new style of immersion, and solidify everything from the previous sub-phases.