Here in the United States, there is a lot of fear around learning a new language. Some think that it’s just too hard to hold two languages in one brain, while others who are stuck in the rat race of life tell themselves that they just don’t have the time.
Learning a second language can be life-changing, and putting it off until you think you are more ready or have more time is only delaying the time you get to enjoy using it. There are new people to meet and experiences to have in countries around the world or right here in the States, and getting there doesn’t have to be scary.
If you have a desire to learn and know a second language, here are a few steps to help you pick up that textbook or download that app and get started!
- Find a language learning tool that works for you
There are so many ways to learn a language today. Old-school learning through textbooks in the library may be more your speed, but language-learning apps are gaining in popularity and may be the easier way to go. Babbel, Duolingo, and others have games and quizzes that are interactive and fun, and, while Rosetta Stone is probably the most recognized name out there, it’s not as recommended due to the idea behind their process being very outdated and, most of the time, frustrating.
Take inventory of how you have best learned in the past whether that be through visuals or auditory mediums. Sometimes, you get what you pay for. Do you want to pay for what you’re getting? If so, what’s your budget? Do you research, and try a few different resources to figure out what works best for you.
- Prioritize learning a new language
When you make something a priority, you make time for it. Set reminders or keep a calendar somewhere that you are sure to see to keep yourself accountable. You can also turn on notifications for most apps that remind you of your goals.
Making time may mean that something else in your life needs to take a backseat one night per week or that you need to adjust your schedule. Whatever you decide, making your study time a priority is the only way to learn a language and retain what you’ve learned.
- Make a daily commitment
Learning a second language takes time, but more than that, consistency. If you work for two hours a day and choose not to pick it back up again for three weeks, you are setting yourself up for failure – or at least, having to relearn everything from those last two hours. By not being consistent, it’s almost a guarantee that you won’t retain much if anything at all.
Try scheduling thirty minutes to an hour of learning every day. Give yourself some grace when necessary, but hold yourself to it as best you can. Even if you can only spare 5 minutes one day, something is always better than nothing.
- Find the right time of day for you to study
Some people tend to retain more when they practice in the morning; others at night. While both have equal merit, every person is different and may benefit from different study environments.
Some studies suggest that when you practice near bedtime, your mind thinks over the idea while you sleep, allowing learning to take place even when you’re dreaming. Others claim bright light and a good night’s sleep are the best conditions for learning. Decide what works for you and stick to it for the highest levels of retention.
- Make it fun
Too much pressure leads to burn out, and ultimately, giving up completely. Mix things up when you are beginning to feel this way. This may mean putting down the textbook and downloading an app with games or watching a show in the language you are learning.
You can find a native speaker who makes interesting videos on youtube. Call up a friend and have them quiz you or come up with a game with funny rewards or punishments. Break up the mundane with a bit of spontaneity to keep you on the right track.
- Use what you’ve learned soon after you learn it
The saying “use it or lose it” is never more true when it comes to learning a second language. Join an organization that focuses on learning the language you are interested in or who have members who speak it while doing something completely unrelated.
Find friends who are native speakers or perhaps individuals who are just 10 steps ahead of you. While the former is the preferred and more accurate option, having friends in the same boat gives you the accountability to keep that promise to yourself to become bilingual, and usually makes this happen more quickly than going at it alone.
- Take restful breaks
There is no need to pressure yourself to have perfect prononucation or to learn every word in a new vocabulary list right away. Stepping away from the laptop for 10 minutes to an hour and doing something to rest, and not distract, allows for your brain to be ready when you return to studying.
Restful breaks are different and more beneficial than distraction alone. Scrolling through social media will not allow your mind to come back truly rested, but may very well send it spiraling. Choose a walk or a healthy snack over another screen any day.
- Buy books or audiobooks
Learning new words from a vocabulary list is a great start, but as you start learning the language more in-depth, reading a book or listening to an audiobook can help you build a solid foundation for the language. Find a book that you previously read in your native language, so you can better use context clues for words or phrases you don’t yet know.
Also, many audiobooks allow you to change the speed at which the book is read to you. You can go back and listen to a sentence again when you didn’t quite get it the first time. All of these are great options to develop a well-rounded concept of a second language.
- Plan a trip to a country that speaks the language
Sometimes, simply chasing a goal with no outcome except the end goal itself isn’t enough to get our minds to work for us. We need a reason. Just knowing that you have a reason to learn a new language – such as not making a fool of yourself in a foreign country – can have a tremendous impact on focus and retention.
Invest, not only in the language, but in the people who speak it as well by doing a bit of research and embracing both. When you get to know the people behind a language, it can be more of a draw to learn to communicate with them. Having a trip where you can meet and speak with them after months of studying is just a bonus.
Sources
“When Is the Best Time to Study: Morning, Noon or Night?: PSB Academy.” When Is the Best Time to Study: Morning, Noon or Night? | PSB Academy, 17 Jan. 2020, https://www.psb-academy.edu.sg/blog/best-time-to-study.
Randolph, Kathryn Knight. “Energizing Study Break Ideas & What to Avoid.” Fastweb, 11 Jan. 2022, https://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/energizing-study-break-ideas-what-to-avoid.