25+ tips to learn a language the right way

There is no better time in the history of the world to learn a language! It’s not as hard as you might think. Here’s some super practical tips to learn a language that will have you speaking in no time. Check it out!

I’m 43 years old and I am currently learning Italian (my fourth language). My native language is English (obviously) and I learned French when I lived there as a Latter-day Saint missionary in 2003. Then, about 15 years later, I decided to learned Spanish. Once I felt pretty comfortable in Spanish, I decided to start learning Italian. I have learned a lot of really helpful tips during my language-learning journey. So, I thought I would pass these along to you. Let’s get started!

How to start learning as a newbie

• What is your why?: If you don’t have a strong desire to learn a language, your motivation will sizzle and you’ll stop trying.
• Set goals NOW: What are you going to do every day to learn your language? Write it down. Decide when you want to be speaking conversationally and work toward that goal every day.
• Plan a trip: If you’re going to spend all this time learning a language, make sure you visit a country that speaks that language!
• Learn the fundamentals: Every language has different rules. Some languages use informal and formal, subjunctive, feminine and masculine, etc. Get an overall understanding of how your language works before you dive in.
• YouTube is your friend: There are TONS of videos online that can help you understand the basics of the language you are about to learn.
• Avoid Duolingo: Duolingo and other similar free language-learning apps are designed to keep you on the app instead of actually learning a language. I have lots of friends who have more than a 500-day streak and still don’t speak the language. If you can’t speak the language after 500 days, there is a problem.
• Consider Pimsleur: This program uses the same method we all used when we learned our native language, by listening. I tried Pimsleur when I started learning Italian. I listened to it it everyday on my walks and it gave me a really awesome base to the language.

Listen to your language

• Listen, listen, listen every day: At first you won’t understand anything, but don’t get discouraged. The more you listen, the more your brain will start recognizing words and phrases.
• Duolingo podcast: Even though I don’t recommend the app for learning, Duolingo actually has an awesome podcast if you are learning Spanish or French. They tell more than 300+ stories that alternate between English and Spanish (or French). That way you don’t feel completely lost.
• Daily tasks: Keep a podcast playing throughout your home while doing daily tasks such as cooking, showering, folding the laundry or cleaning. It helps tune your ear to this new language.
• Google translate: When you hear a new word while you are listening, look it up. You’ll remember it later.
• Other podcasts: There are soooo many different language-learning podcasts out there in so many languages. Try them all.
• Movies: Try watching a movie or a cartoon in your language with subtitles in the same language. It’s amazing how much you learn from watching just one movie.

Speak your language

• Speak, speak, speak: I learned French with a small pocket dictionary and that’s it. How did I do that? I spoke French with people on the street every single day for 18 months. As an LDS missionary, we call it S.Y.L. (Speak Your Language).
• Talk to yourself: This sounds weird, but this is a great way to get comfortable speaking before you actually start talking to someone in your language. Try it in the car, in the shower and before you go to bed.
• Sign up for italki: This is an online learning platform that connects students with native language teachers for one-on-one lessons. I have had more than 75 online lessons with teachers from all over the world. All of the teachers are super patient and will accept you at any level that you are at. This is a must!
• Be brave: Speaking your language is the HARDEST part. It’s scary and intimidating. Take a deep breath and do your best.
• Memorize one key phrase: Learn how to say, “I am learning ___________, can you help me?” Every time you say this, people LOVE helping you learn your language. It opens so many doors.
• Find a friend who speaks your language: If this is possible where you live, this will make the biggest difference. Find someone who speaks your language who you can talk to on a regular basis. I have a friend from Chili and we speak in Spanish all of the time together. We go to lunch and other activities and my Spanish has improved by leaps and bounds.

Read your language

• Children’s books: Find some children’s books on Amazon and start reading. These basic books are incredibly helpful.
• Apps: Language-learning apps such as JumpSpeak, Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, Babbel, etc are great for learning concepts and vocabulary. But they should not be the only way you learn a language.
• Websites in your language: Go online and find different websites in the language you are learning and start reading.
• Cell phone: Change the default language on your smartphone to the language that you’re learning.

Write your language

• Language journal: Start a language journal in which you only write in the language that you are learning. Write about your day, your thoughts, basically anything you want.
• Objects around the house: Write down the names of various objects around your house on small pieces of paper and tape them around your house. Every little bit helps.
• PenPal: Make friends with a native speaker and write him or her letters to practice writing.

I hope all of these tips to learn a language help you on your language-learning journey. Just remember that this is a marathon and not a sprint. Don’t expect to be speaking your new language in one, two or even six months. But with consistent effort, you will be speaking your new language before you know it. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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