Here’s the truth: both.

Passive learning - like watching shows or listening to podcasts - trains your brain to recognize language in a natural, immersive way. It builds comprehension, not production.

Active learning - like speaking, writing, or translating - forces recall. It’s how you test what you know.

But most learners rely too much on active tasks: flashcards, quizzes, grammar drills. It burns them out. Meanwhile, passive exposure without engagement can turn into background noise.

The sweet spot? Passive-first, active reinforcement. Watch a short video, then rephrase what you heard. Listen to native dialogue, then mimic a line out loud. Let your brain absorb first, then engage second.

Think of it like working out. Passive learning is like stretching and warming up-getting your brain used to the language’s rhythm and feel. Active learning is lifting weights. You need both, but in the right order.

Apps like Parrot are designed to be passive-first for this exact reason. They don’t burn you out with homework. Instead, they immerse you until speaking starts to feel natural.