Embarking on the journey of language learning can feel like setting sail towards a distant horizon. The idea of fluency, often vaguely defined and seemingly years away, can be daunting, even demotivating. However, the key to successful language acquisition lies in shifting focus from this far-off ideal to the immediate, achievable steps you can take today. Imagine starting a fitness journey – you wouldn’t aim for a marathon on your first run. Similarly, language learning thrives on tangible, short-term goals that provide a sense of accomplishment and build momentum.
Instead of fixating on fluency, begin by setting realistic, measurable objectives. At the very outset, this could be as simple as mastering a new alphabet, learning a set of characters, or memorizing basic phrases for self-introduction. As you progress and celebrate these initial victories, you can elevate your goals. Perhaps aiming to hold a brief, simple conversation with a native speaker or understanding a news article becomes your next milestone. Remember, your personal goals don’t need to mirror a textbook’s curriculum. Feel free to prioritize learning essential verbs for daily use or grasping crucial linking words like “so,” “then,” and “but” that are ubiquitous in everyday conversation, even if it means temporarily bypassing topics like colors or professions. As you actively define and pursue your goals, you’ll refine your ability to analyze your own language needs at each stage, accurately identifying what you need to learn next for continuous improvement.
Deciding on your language learning goals is intrinsically linked to determining how you will achieve them. Many aspiring language learners dedicate significant time to choosing which language to learn, sometimes overlooking the crucial aspect of how to learn effectively. If your previous language learning experience was confined to a classroom setting, your learning process was likely structured by a teacher who dictated the curriculum and pace. However, as an independent learner, you take ownership of your learning journey. Reflect on your motivations for learning a new language. Do you envision yourself conversing with locals on your next vacation, or are you drawn to the prospect of reading literature in its original language? Clarity regarding your objectives will guide you in strategically selecting the most effective learning methods. This principle isn’t novel; the field of ‘language for specific purposes’ has long advocated for learners focusing on material directly relevant to their professional or academic needs. This targeted approach is equally beneficial for all language learners. Start with specific goals and define what you want to do with your new language, at least initially.
Methods are indeed paramount. There is no universal formula for language learning; what resonates with one learner may not suit another. If textbooks and written exercises feel tedious, don’t let them become a barrier. If you are more attuned to auditory and verbal learning, consider audio-based methods like those developed by Michel Thomas and Pimsleur. These courses, and free alternatives like Language Transfer by Mihalis Eleftheriou, prioritize listening and speaking. While some can be costly, libraries often carry them. My own introduction to the Michel Thomas method, with its distinctive voice and debated history, occurred when I began learning Italian. My daily 40-minute walk to work transformed into immersive listening sessions one summer. I was amazed that a method solely based on listening, thinking, and speaking could impart a seemingly natural and intuitive understanding of Italian verbs and grammar, exceeding my expectations.
While independent learning offers flexibility, the value of a structured language course led by an experienced teacher should not be underestimated. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional classroom learning, numerous language schools and educational institutions have adapted by offering online courses. These online alternatives can be more affordable and conveniently fit into busy schedules. Over a summer, I participated in online basic Arabic lessons with a teacher from Natakallam, a remarkable organization that provides language learning programs in Arabic, French, Persian, Armenian, Kurdish, and Spanish, delivered by refugees. For a similar initiative in the UK, explore Chatterbox.
For finding language tutors in today’s digital age, Italki stands out as a transformative platform. This website connects learners with professional teachers and conversation partners for online lessons. Italki’s strengths lie in its variety; you can sample different teachers to find the perfect fit and often benefit from substantial discounts on introductory sessions. This allows you to ‘speed-date’ with instructors, choosing to commit to one for ongoing lessons or diversifying with multiple tutors to refine different skills. I personally value Italki’s learner-centric approach, which empowers you to shape lesson agendas. Whether you want to practice conversational German or master complex Japanese grammar, you can tailor lessons to your goals and receive personalized guidance at your convenience. Being entirely online, Italki generally offers more competitive pricing than in-person lessons. However, if paid tuition isn’t feasible, Italki, along with apps like Tandem and HelloTalk, facilitates finding language exchange partners. You can converse in your target language in exchange for helping them with English or another language you speak. Italki also boasts diversity, connecting you with tutors for a wide array of global languages, including Spanish, Arabic, and French.
Then come language learning apps. Perhaps the most significant advancement in recent language learning is the proliferation of often-free, and sometimes remarkably sophisticated, apps accessible on phones, tablets, and laptops. You may already be familiar with Duolingo, but it’s just one of many. Explore other leading apps like Memrise and Babbel, or vocabulary-focused apps such as Drops. Avid polyglots frequently endorse Anki, an app utilizing ‘spaced repetition’ to enhance learning and retention across various subjects, including languages. You can access pre-made flashcard decks or create your own. For guidance on starting with Anki, resources are readily available online. Certain languages have specialized apps, such as the popular Chineasy for Mandarin Chinese, or Keefak for Lebanese Arabic. For an expanding selection of languages, including Arabic (Modern Standard and dialects), Spanish, and Russian, Lingualism has impressed me with its resources. They collaborate with native speakers to create materials that authentically reflect spoken language and teach relevant content for real-life situations.
We are indeed in a golden era of readily available, free language learning content. Lexilogos is an indispensable website providing links to courses, dictionaries, and resources for over 100 languages. Here, you can find links to everything from a free MP3 course in modern Icelandic created by a colleague at the University of Leeds, to learning materials for Gujarati from the University of Pennsylvania, or a beginner’s Yoruba course from the University of Georgia. My own Norwegian language journey began with the professionally designed and entirely free Norwegian on the Web course offered by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. If this abundance of resources feels overwhelming and you seek more structured guidance in your learning and habit formation, the Open University offers a free course packed with expert advice on language learning, an ideal starting point for any new language learner.
Beyond formal online resources, YouTube and podcasts are invaluable for goal-oriented learners. If you are strategically planning your language progress and can pinpoint what you need to learn next, YouTube content creators often have videos addressing your specific needs. When grappling with a grammar rule in a language I’m learning, I’m just as likely to consult YouTube as a grammar textbook. While not all online videos are high-quality, many educators and language schools are now creating video content to address common learner queries and challenges. As I started learning Arabic, YouTube videos from ArabicPod101 aided me in learning the script, and Maha, an Arabic teacher whose Modern Standard Arabic and Palestinian dialect lessons have a dedicated following, helped me acquire basic vocabulary and conversational expressions.
Podcasts are excellent learning tools for all levels. Series like News in Slow German (and similar programs in other languages) can improve listening comprehension without the pressure of full-speed speech. More advanced learners can utilize podcasts and radio programs in the target language to hone their listening skills. While navigating the sometimes competitive world of language learning content creators, exploring language learning podcasts and YouTube channels can provide valuable advice and strategies from experienced polyglots, even if some claims warrant a degree of skepticism.
As you achieve your goals and expand your language knowledge, seek out content that fosters further growth. Language learning experts often emphasize the importance of ‘comprehensible input’ (as explained by Stephen Krashen in interviews). Essentially, this involves consistently exposing yourself to language slightly beyond your current level. This input should be close enough to your existing knowledge base that your brain can bridge the gaps and elevate your language proficiency. Services like LingQ aim to provide graded reading materials tailored to your level. Once you’ve grasped the basics, you can often utilize readily available online content, such as simplified news articles (some languages offer sites like Al Jazeera Learning with learner-focused content) or, as your skills advance, books in your target language. I find it easier to learn from material where I have some background knowledge, so I might choose a popular history book or a documentary on a topic I’m interested in. The Penguin Parallel Text series offers short stories in various languages with facing-page translations, and language YouTuber Olly Richards has created a series of simplified short stories for beginners in languages like Turkish, Korean, and Brazilian Portuguese.
While simply playing a foreign film won’t magically transform your language skills, there are ways to maximize the learning potential of foreign-language TV shows and movies. Netflix offers a wealth of content in other languages, although finding it can be inexplicably challenging. Tips for discovering and utilizing foreign language programming on Netflix are available online. I often recommend reality TV in the target language; the heightened emotions and predictable structures make comprehension easier. I can attest that my limited Swedish didn’t significantly detract from my enjoyment of the Swedish version of Come Dine With Me. Using subtitles in the target language can also aid in dissecting the flow of speech into recognizable words and phrases. The crucial element is to select content that captivates you, something you genuinely want to read or listen to, and that is challenging yet comprehensible. There are also cultural benefits to this approach. Language learning led me to discover the Dutch TV show Hier Zijn de Van Rossems, where three elderly siblings tour cities and critique architecture, and the Norwegian program 71 Grader Nord: Norges Tøffeste Kjendis, which is exactly what it sounds like.
As you progress, maintaining motivation becomes critical. Intermediate learners often encounter a plateau – a frustrating phase after the initial rapid progress, where gains become less pronounced, less immediately rewarding, and harder to perceive. The journey to fluency is long, and periodically reviewing your progress and methods can help sustain focus and motivation. This is where setting targeted, achievable goals becomes invaluable; consistently reaching and updating your goals fosters a sense of ongoing progress. While plateauing can be particularly challenging for independent learners, by this stage, you’ve honed the skill of self-assessment, enabling you to pinpoint knowledge gaps and determine your next learning steps – a valuable skill in itself. If navigating this phase proves difficult, a session with a teacher can provide an external assessment and guidance on areas for improvement. Following a structured curriculum can sometimes hinder this targeted approach, but with the resources mentioned and the support of a teacher or tutor, independent learners can efficiently address specific areas needing development.
As you advance, consider integrating your new language into your daily life. Personal techniques vary. I, for instance, talk to myself – frequently and extensively. When learning or reactivating a language, I narrate my actions aloud in that language, as if providing a voiceover for my life’s movie. This keeps my language skills active and highlights areas where my vocabulary is lacking or where I need to focus my learning. This technique is effective, even if it occasionally draws curious glances. If the man who observed me muttering to myself in an Italian airport bathroom is reading this, mi dispiace. Another effective technique combining practice and motivation is journaling in your new language. Documenting daily events provides practice with verb tenses and creates a tangible record of your progress over time. If you are more extroverted, recording videos of yourself speaking the target language can be beneficial for accountability and for receiving constructive feedback from other speakers.
Language learning is a continuous journey without a definitive endpoint. When approached effectively, it becomes a lifelong pursuit. The initial “grind” of grammar drills and vocabulary lists will eventually give way to engaging with literature and ideas in your new language, and to the joys of travel, conversation, and cross-cultural friendships. With well-defined goals and sustained motivation, the effort of language learning transforms into the rewarding experience of living the language.
