How To: Learn a New Language Article by: Svetina S

 How To: Learn a New Language

Article by: Svetina S

If you’re like me, you’ve tried to learn new languages on Duolingo or by watching YouTube videos- but nothing seems to work. Learning new languages can be a fulfilling challenge as you watch an entirely new world develop right in front of your eyes by expanding your horizons to the culture and people of a new dialect. However, it’s no easy task. Here are some ways to learn new languages and stick with them.

First, ditch Duolingo and those “learn (insert language) in 10 minutes!” videos. Personally, those strategies have never stuck. Next, start writing and speaking the language as soon as you can, especially if you’re an absolute beginner. Try talking about what you’ve been doing recently with your life, your hobbies, facts about your life, etc. This will help you develop the vocabulary that you use the most often. You can write it in English first, translate it, and try to write it or speak it from memory. Start with small phrases. To find the translation, don’t be afraid to use Google Translate. It’s often looked down on in language classes, but it can actually be an extremely useful tool. 

Once you have developed a basic understanding of the language, move on to reading children’s stories in the language, watching videos with captions, listening to songs, and listening to podcasts. This will help you further expand your knowledge of the language by learning words that other people use often. Try to keep a journal, document, or note where you write new vocabulary and their definitions. Go through the words often and see if you can remember the definitions. Cross out or delete words once you are absolutely sure of the definitions. Furthermore, begin to learn the grammar rules and conjugations, and keep a sheet of those as well.

When you believe you have an intermediate understanding of the language, you can move on to more difficult strategies. Try watching videos without captions, singing songs, reading novels, and writing paragraphs. Continue to practice and keep your vocabulary and grammar sheets handy. As you learn more and more, you will eventually develop fluency. Practice makes perfect!