5 Ways To Learn a Foreign Language

Tuesday, December 172 min read

It's no longer necessary to pore over pages of dry academic text to learn a new language. Today, there is access to far more efficient and affordable means across a variety of media. Whether keen on picking up a new language for fun, for travel, or for new opportunities, this list of tips will have you well on your way to conversing in a new tongue.

Set Learning Goals

The first step to achieving anything is to set clear, attainable goals. Especially in the beginning, setting learning goals can help push past difficulties. An early goal can be 30 basic German words in the first week. Then set another goal for the following week, and so on. A larger goal could be traveling to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany and using the new skills.

Grab a Study Buddy

Accountability is a key factor in learning new skills. Research has shown that spacing out learning is more effective than random elongated sessions (30 minutes a day for a week is better than 3–4 hours of studying in one day). However, there are some days when studying just doesn't seem like a priority, which is fine … until one day becomes two, and two becomes ten.

It’s times like these when having a study buddy around is helpful. The joint commitment keeps both parties on track and provides a support system. The best part is, a study buddy can be anywhere in the world! Check out an online forum dedicated to language learning to find plenty of potential partners on the same skill level.

Mingle with Native Speakers

Similar to finding a study buddy, native speakers can be found online for conversation partners. Better yet, find out if there’s a local meetup or an active community of native speakers. Put your learning to practice and use the opportunity to listen to how native speakers phrase their words and sentences. First-hand learning is always high reward. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes; it’s all part of the learning process.

Read, Watch, and Play

Admittedly, conversing fluently can take a while. In the meantime, turn to media and entertainment. To learn Spanish, watch Spanish-language TV shows with the subtitles on. Listen to a podcast in a new language, or even pick up a few children’s books. These tales will feature basic language, perfect for beginning learners.

Use Language Apps

Carry your learning with you by downloading any one of the many language teaching apps available. Duolingo, Babbel, and FluentU are three popular options. Make use of translation services like Google Translate as well for easy sourcing of specific words.

Feature photo credit: Jasmina007/ iStock

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