Achieve More by Studying Less - the 80/20 Principle in Learning Languages

Have you ever heard about the 80/20 principle? This principle was first discovered by an Italian economist, Vilfredo Pareto, who found out that minority of people have majority of money. There's nothing surprising in this. The surprising fact is that there was a constant proportion - about 20% of the population had 80% of the wealth. This proportion was the same for different data, different countries and so on. In 1950 Joseph Juran, American business consultant, started using this principle in business. Today, this principle is known by every manager. How does this principle work?

Basically, the 80/20 principle means that 20% of efforts will result in 80% of outcomes or 20% of reasons will result in 80% of consequences. This principle works not only in economy or business - it can also be applied in every walk of life. For example, you wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time, or 80% of your happiness is experienced in 20% of your life. So, if this principle works everywhere, you can also apply it in learning languages! How?

If you want to quickly achieve communicative level in a new language you should concentrate only on the key vocabulary and that means 1000 or 2000 most frequently used words. Of course, you will also need to know basic grammar, have some speaking and listening skills but this key vocabulary will help you understand most of texts and dialogues. Why?

Because the 80/20 principle says that 20% of vocabulary is used in 80% of texts and conversations! It's even better - if you learn a few thousand most frequently used words, you should be able to achieve fluency in a new language in 6 months or so!

If you remember only one thing from this article, please remember this sentence: "less is more". The 80/20 principle is often referred as the secret to achieving more with less. Concentrate your efforts on the most important elements of language and you'll be fluent in no time. Isn't it great? Try this on your own!