Tips from a 21st century Polyglot

Polyglot: A person who speaks more than one language

Link to original post here: http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2014/03/12/how-to-learn-a-foreign-language/

note: these just are my rough notes, please read the whole article in the link above

1. Learn the words that are commonly used
Excerpt: you can take advantage of the Pareto principle here, and realize that 20% of the effort you spend on acquiring new vocab could ultimately give you 80% comprehension in a language—for instance, in English just 300 words make up 65% of all written material. We use those words a lot, and that’s the case in every other language as well.

2. Learn the "cognates":
Excerpt: To find common words with the language you are learning, simply search for “[language name] cognates” or “[language name] English loan words” to see words they borrowed from us, and finally “[language name] words in English” to see words we borrowed from them.

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmjePwBQJP0

i.e Arab & English
Jamal & Camel
Ghazal & Gazelle
Zirafah & Giraffe

3. Virtual Immersion: 
-Listen to a radio from that country using your computer or smartphone
-Watch videos on You tube in that language
-Read in that language i.e Read the news or read blogs

Excerpt: Go to that country’s equivalent URL for Amazon or Ebay (amazon.es, amazon.fr, amazon.co.jp, etc.) and buy your favorite TV series dubbed in that language, or get a local equivalent by seeing what’s on the top charts. You may be able to save shipping costs if you can find one locally that includes dubbing in the appropriate language. Various news stations also have plenty of video content online in specific languages, such as France24, Deutsche Welle, CNN Español, and many others.

4. SPEAK with a native via your computer!
-Recommended websites are : italki.com, or maybe even skype
-my language exchange
-interpals

5. Use free (online) resources
-See the list in the article

6. Be positive! Adults can acquire a language!
He quotes a study that was done.

7. Expand vocabulary with mnemonics
-self-formulas to help you remember words
-website listed in his article

8. Embrace (making) mistakes

9. Making "SMART" goals
Excerpt: S.M.A.R.T. goals on the other hand are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant,and Time-bound.
-Getting to know language levels: (known as european common framework)
A is beginner : A1 upper beginner, A2  lower beginner
B is intermediate: B1 upper intermediate, B2 lower intermediate
C is advanced: C1 upper advanced, C2 lower advanced

What is your goal?

10. Jumping from B1 to C2
-Spending time daily to use the language with a native speaker
-This is the hard work zone!
-Sometimes mixed with reading in the language and referring to grammar books in order to speak it better

11. Learning to sound native
-Improving your accent and intonation via (excerpt):Time with a native, a good Youtube video explaining the sounds, and practice for a few hours may be all that you need!
-Listen to and mimic audio from natives

12. Become a polyglot
-But focus on one language at a time