5 Tips to Learn a Language

However, we’re not all in a position to up and leave for any length of time and the good news is, you don’t have to. You can integrate new language into your daily routine in a way that suits you and your lifestyle. As a self-taught, trilingual English language teacher, I can recommend some tips for self-learning to start you off.

1. Set an intention for learning. Will you be using your second language at work? Have you always wanted to read your favourite book in its original language? Would you like to communicate more easily with a foreign friend? Or are you learning for the sake of creativity and enjoyment? Whatever it is, think about what you intend to achieve. 

2. Set a time frame for learning. Each day of practice is an achievement and it’s important to recognise this through a proper schedule. Don’t think ahead, rather focus on grasping new language one day at a time. In the past, as a language student, I would draw out a weekly timetable and for each day I would write two or three bullet points sketching out what I wanted to accomplish and how long I would spend on each task. Of course, I didn’t stick religiously to the plan, but it gave me an idea of where to start and when to stop.

3. Practice a little, frequently. Language learning is not an activity to cram or overdo. New language will take up a lot of space in your brain and mastering it requires bursts of focus and energy. You’ll be glad to know that it’s more efficient to commit to the task for no longer than 20-30 minutes a day, time so easily wasted on less productive activities throughout the day. So, during the brief, but essential, time you choose to set aside for language learning, dedicate yourself entirely to this and make it count.

4. Find a way to learn that’s suitable and good for you. If you’re not a reader, don’t choose reading as your principal means of learning, as this will only be counter-productive. Opt for listening to the radio or podcasts that really interest you or watching snippets of films or tv programmes. When I was first teaching myself Italian, I would give myself the task of translating whatever popped into my head – mostly simple thoughts such as “I’m hungry right now”, “what time is it?” or “I have to call the dentist”. And if I didn’t already know, I’d find out how to say it in the new language and repeat it a few times to myself until it stuck with me. Learning new language that is relevant to you and your routine makes the process smoother, quicker and more enjoyable.

Find a good language book to start you off. Although I wouldn’t advise you to start with 20 minutes of grammar a day, you can’t ignore it completely, especially if you’re starting the new language from scratch. Just 10 minutes a day studying grammar essentials will boost the other activities you choose to do and create a basis and structure for learning: think of it like the foundation layer you need to support your new home.