How's my English after all these years? My self-taught learning methods

Honestly, it's been a while since I started my blog on vivaldi.net. I didn't keep that blog going because WordPress's SEO tools felt pretty outdated and didn't give me many ways to customize things, so I decided to build my own with Astro. If you want to check it out, take a look at my article about Astro and the projects section of my portfolio.

Today's topic is about the way I think "learning to learn" actually works for me. Self-directed learning has been an essential part of my life ever since I left school: it has heavily shaped how I learn and how I get things done every day. I really enjoy reading and picking up new things, and I owe that to the stubborn spirit my dad gave me.

Never stop learning

I'm neurodivergent (one of these days I'll specify exactly how), so the way I learn has always been a bit different — and I struggled with that growing up. That's why I had to find a way of studying that didn't make me feel so behind, or like I wasn't actually learning anything at all. Today I want to share what's worked for me and in which areas, because learning humanities, history, and philosophy isn't the same as getting comfortable in hands-on areas like software development or playing a musical instrument. One gets better with practice; the other, by absorbing theory and reinforcing what you know.

Explain and apply

Teaching is the best way to learn and to reinforce what you know. When you do it that way, you'll figure out what really stands out. Try explaining it to someone else so you get instant feedback — chances are, that person will have a question that pushes you to broaden your knowledge.

Spaced repetition

This technique helped me a lot, since it lets me remember what I read and study over the long term. Try using flashcards.

Comprehensible input

How you consume content matters, because this, combined with flashcards, helps you retain and recall words and get by better in everyday situations.

Speak and engage in forums and channels

The most efficient way to put your knowledge into practice is by socializing or immersing yourself in the language. Try joining Reddit or forums you actually like, and learn by chatting with people you don't know. Always be cautious — you can never really tell who's honest and who isn't.

Conclusion

You don't have to follow these steps to the letter. There are other YouTubers who go much deeper into this, like Mr Salas, who have been talking about language learning for years. I'm just sharing tips based on what's worked for me.