The Nekolingo Journal

Learn the language,
not just the words.

Field notes, study methods, and honest advice for anyone starting a new language — grounded in how people really speak.

All posts Getting started Listening Memory Method

Method

How to start reading in your target language before you feel ready

Waiting until you're “good enough” to read is backwards. Here's how comprehensible input works, why you don't need to understand every word, and how to start reading messily today.

Jun 16, 2026 6 min read

Method

Why the 1,000 most common words get you to 90% comprehension

A tiny set of words carries almost every conversation. Here's the science of Zipf's law — and why learning words in frequency order is the fastest path to understanding real speech.

Jun 9, 2026 6 min read