10 Top Tips for Learning a Language

Have you always wanted to learn a language but keep getting discouraged? These are my best tips for learning a language fast, through speaking, understanding, and writing.

How hard can it be learning a language?

Truth is, really really tough. But it really depends on you and your motivation! If you’re reading this post, you’re probably already pretty motivated to learn. Next step is just to DO IT! I learned Spanish from scratch to where I can speak at a fluent level. I’m working on French and Italian now, but these languages came sooo much easier. Why? Because I had already learned HOW to learn a language, which is definitely the hardest part.

1. Pick a language you’re interested in

The fact is, you’re only going to be motivated to learn a language if you’re actually interested in it. I’ve met people who struggled so much in high school Spanish, but later fell in love with China and can now speak fluent Mandarin. Learning a language is a skill that some people are naturally gifted at, but motivation can make a world of a difference, so choose one that YOU like. Not that your parents picked. Not that you deem the most useful. You’re going to excel the most in the language that you chose for yourself.

2. Watch movies/tv series in your target language

Learning a language consists of 3 parts: Writing, Understanding, and Speaking. You need to develop competency in all three before you can be fully proficient. Watching movies or tv series can help you with your understanding skills, and utilizing subtitles helps you see how the words are written. Even if you leave the subtitles in English, you are still hearing the words and relating them to your own language. Find a show that you find interesting and actually want to see, and binge it like crazy! You’ll feel less guilty about bingeing because it’s educational, right?

3. Go to a language exchange

I love, love, love language exchanges. They are the perfect opportunity to practice with no shame and meet new people.

Language exchanges are normally held at a restaurant or a bar, and focus on 2 target languages that people want to practice. Then, people show up, have a drink, and just talk about anything under the sun in whichever language. For example, an Italian-English exchange will be Italian speakers coming to meet English speakers so they can practice their English, and the English speakers can practice Italian.

It’s a safe environment to practice and a great way to meet people in a new city.

4. Sign up for an intensive course

Intensive courses are hands-down the best way to learn a language because they are total immersion. Basically, you find a school in a country that speaks your target language, and spend 2-3 weeks (or more!) practicing. Normally your courses are everyday, occupying half the day, with fun excursions for experiencing the culture. You stay in a dorm or even sometimes with a host family, so you are literally living and breathing the language. It may sound intense, but you will definitely learn and make friends along the way.

I was supposed to do an intensive course on the beach in Panama. Covid stopped it from happening, but that would be an amazing experience right?

5. Listen and practice with podcasts

Podcasts are another great way to improve your listening and even sometimes speaking skills! There are certain podcasts that actually teach you a language, such as Coffee Break, and others where you can just listen to different topics in your host language. Definitely check these out if you’re more of an auditory learner.

6. Read books in your target language

Reading books will help you with sentence structure and how to write the language yourself. Pick your favorite book and read the translation! Did you know that Harry Potter’s wand in French translates to ‘baguette‘?

7. Do your homework

Sometimes, you just gotta do your homework. Grammar may suck, but they’re needed! Eventually you’ll reach the point where it just feels natural, but you’re not there yet. Find yourself a workbook on your level and do a page a day.

I recommend practicing verb conjugations first because every single sentence has a verb! If you can say every verb in past, present, future, etc. you can at least get half of your sentences understood.

8. Meet language partners

Similar to going to a language exchange, but a bit more one-on-one. There are a ton of people who want to learn a language; you just have to meet them! There are a few apps for this, but you can also find language exchange facebook groups, where people will post what languages they speak and what languages they want to work on. You then meet up, either in person or online, and practice each language for, say, 30 minutes each, so that both of you get the practice you’re looking for. I’m currently in Paris, and this is how I’ve met so many amazing people!

9. Listen to music

Listening to music in your target language can help you learn phrasing and improve your understanding. Start with slower songs, and look up the lyrics until you’re able to sing along yourself. It’s also a great party trick for karaoke night 😉

10. Use your phone

Of course, you can always use apps on your phone for learning languages, such as Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, etc. These are great for practicing five minutes here and there, and can help build your vocabulary.

I also like to change the language on my phone to a language I’m trying to learn. It may be frustrating at first, but soon it becomes second nature and you’ll learn some of the more complicated, technical vocabulary.

Learning a language is tough, but definitely doable with these tips!

What is your best method for learning a language?