Learning a new language is an adventure, a journey of discovery that opens up new worlds and connects you to different cultures. However, the path to fluency can sometimes feel daunting. It’s easy to get lost in translation, feeling overwhelmed by grammar rules and endless vocabulary lists. Instead of aiming for an abstract concept like “fluency” right away, which can take years, the key to successful language learning lies in setting achievable, measurable goals. Think of it like training for a marathon – you wouldn’t start by running 26 miles on your first day. Similarly, when embarking on your language learning journey, focus on tangible, short-term objectives that provide a sense of accomplishment and keep you motivated.
At the very beginning, your goal might be as simple as mastering a new alphabet, learning a specific set of characters, or memorizing basic phrases for introductions. As you progress and achieve these initial milestones, you can set new, more ambitious goals. Perhaps you’ll aim to hold a basic conversation with a native speaker, understand a news article, or watch a short video in your target language without subtitles. Remember, your goals should be personalized and relevant to your needs. Don’t feel pressured to follow a textbook’s curriculum rigidly. If learning colors or professions isn’t immediately useful for you, prioritize learning essential verbs for everyday use or mastering crucial linking words like “so,” “then,” and “but” that are common in conversations. By tailoring your goals, you become better at analyzing your language needs at each stage and pinpointing exactly what you need to learn next to make meaningful progress.
Deciding on your goals is intrinsically linked to choosing the right methods to reach them. Many people spend considerable time debating which language to learn, but often overlook the crucial question of how to learn it effectively. If your previous language learning experience was confined to school, you might not have given much thought to process and technique – your teacher likely dictated the curriculum and learning methods. However, as an independent learner, you are in charge of your learning journey. Therefore, it’s vital to consider your objectives. What do you truly want to achieve by learning this language? Is it to converse with locals during your travels, delve into untranslated literature, or enhance your professional skills? Clarity about your goals will guide you in strategically selecting the most effective learning methods. This concept isn’t new; the field of “language for specific purposes” has long assisted learners who need a language for work or studies to concentrate on the most relevant material. But its principles are equally valuable for all language learners. Be specific about your goals and define what you want to do with your new language, especially at the outset.
Methods are indeed paramount. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to language learning. What works wonders for one person might not resonate with another. If you dread textbook exercises, don’t let that discourage you. If you thrive on listening and speaking, audio-based methods could be your ideal solution. Consider exploring approaches like those pioneered by Michel Thomas and Pimsleur courses, or even free alternatives like Language Transfer by Mihalis Eleftheriou. While some of these programs can be expensive, check your local libraries – they often have them in stock. My personal introduction to the Michel Thomas method, with its distinctive style and intriguing backstory, began when I started learning Italian. My daily 40-minute walk to and from work transformed into an immersive learning experience. I was amazed that a course solely based on listening, thinking, and speaking could impart such an intuitive understanding of Italian verbs and grammar, far exceeding my expectations from traditional learning methods.
While independent learning is powerful, let’s not dismiss the value of expert-led language courses. While attending a physical language school might be challenging currently, numerous institutions offer online alternatives, which can be more affordable and flexible for busy schedules. I myself participated in online basic Arabic lessons with a teacher from Natakallam, a remarkable organization that provides language programs in Arabic, French, Persian, Armenian, Kurdish, and Spanish, taught by refugees. For a similar UK-based organization, explore Chatterbox.
When seeking a language tutor today, Italki stands out as a game-changing platform. This website connects you with professional teachers and experienced conversation partners for online lessons. Italki’s strengths are twofold: it allows you to sample different teachers to find the perfect fit and offers substantial discounts on initial trial sessions. This “speed-dating” approach lets you experiment and either settle with one teacher for consistent lessons or work with multiple tutors to refine various skills. I personally value Italki because it empowers learners to set the lesson agenda. You can concentrate on your specific goals and learn what you need. Whether you want to practice conversational German or master complex Japanese grammar, you can tailor your lessons and benefit from personalized attention at your convenience. Being entirely online, Italki lessons often have more competitive pricing than face-to-face sessions. If paid tuition isn’t feasible, Italki (and apps like Tandem and HelloTalk) can also connect you with language exchange partners who will converse with you in your target language in exchange for conversation in English or another language you speak. Italki is also incredibly diverse, offering tutors for a wide array of global languages, including Spanish, Arabic, and French.
Then come language learning apps. The rise of often-free and surprisingly sophisticated software for language learners, accessible on phones, tablets, and laptops, is perhaps the most significant recent revolution in language learning. You might already know Duolingo, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Explore other prominent apps like Memrise and Babbel, vocabulary builders like Drops, or Anki, favored by polyglots, which uses “spaced repetition” to enhance memorization across various subjects, including languages. You can access pre-made flashcard decks or create your own. For guidance on using Anki, resources are readily available. Certain languages have dedicated apps, such as Chineasy for Mandarin Chinese and Keefak for Lebanese Arabic. For a growing number 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 reflect authentic, everyday language and teach relevant content for real-life situations.
We are truly in a golden age of readily accessible, often free, language learning resources. Lexilogos is an essential website compiling links to courses, dictionaries, and resources in over 100 languages. You’ll find everything from a free MP3 course in modern Icelandic created by a University of Leeds colleague to Gujarati learning materials from the University of Pennsylvania and a beginner’s Yoruba course from the University of Georgia. My own Norwegian learning began with the professionally designed and free “Norwegian on the Web” course from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. If this abundance feels overwhelming and you need help structuring your learning and establishing effective language learning habits, the Open University offers a free course packed with expert advice on How To Learn A Language, a perfect starting point for any new language learner.
Beyond formal online materials, YouTube and podcasts are invaluable for goal-oriented learners. If you’re strategically planning your language progress and identify what you need to learn next, YouTube creators often have videos to match your needs. When I struggle with grammar rules, I’m as likely to search YouTube as consult a grammar book. While not all online videos are high-quality, many teachers and language schools now create video content addressing learner questions and common challenges. When I started learning Arabic script, YouTube videos from ArabicPod101 were incredibly helpful, and I learned basic vocabulary and conversational phrases from Maha, an Arabic teacher whose Modern Standard Arabic and Palestinian dialect lessons have a dedicated following.
Podcasts are fantastic learning resources for all levels. Series like “News in Slow German” (available in other languages) help build listening comprehension without the pressure of full speed speech. Advanced learners can use podcasts and radio programs in their target language to hone their listening skills. If you can navigate the occasional rivalries within the content creator community, language learning podcasts and YouTube videos can offer valuable advice and strategies from experienced polyglots, even if some claims should be taken with a grain of salt.
As you achieve your goals and expand your language knowledge, it’s time to seek out content that will further your improvement. Language learning experts often highlight the importance of “comprehensible input.” Essentially, this means consistently exposing yourself to language that’s slightly above your current level – close enough to what you understand 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 online resources, from simplified news articles (like those offered by Al Jazeera for learners in some languages) to books in your target language as you progress. I find it easier to learn from material where I have some prior content knowledge, so I might choose a popular history book or a documentary on a topic I’m interested in. The Penguin Parallel Text series allows you to read short stories in various languages with facing-page translations. Language YouTuber Olly Richards has also created a series of simple short stories for beginners in languages like Turkish, Korean, and Brazilian Portuguese.
While passively watching 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 has a wealth of international content, though finding it can be surprisingly tricky. Tips for discovering and utilizing programming in other languages are readily available online. I often recommend reality TV in the target language – the heightened emotions and predictable structures make it easier to follow. 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 also helps you break down the sound stream into recognizable words and phrases. The key is to find content that genuinely interests you – something you’re eager to read or listen to and that challenges you without being completely incomprehensible. There are also cultural benefits to this approach. Without language learning, I might never have discovered the Dutch TV show “Hier Zijn de Van Rossems,” where three siblings visit cities and critique architecture, or the Norwegian program “71 Grader Nord: Norges Tøffeste Kjendis,” which is exactly as outlandish as it sounds.
As you advance in your language learning, motivation becomes crucial. Intermediate learners often encounter a plateau, a frustrating stage after the initial rapid progress, where gains appear smaller, less immediately rewarding, and harder to perceive. Fluency is a marathon, not a sprint, and periodically reviewing your progress and methods will help maintain focus and motivation. This is where setting targeted, achievable goals truly pays off. You’re more likely to feel a sense of progress if you’re consistently reaching and updating your goals. While plateauing can be particularly challenging for independent learners, remember that by this stage, you’ve developed the valuable skill of self-assessment, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and pinpointing what you need to focus on next. If you’re still struggling, consider a Zoom session with a teacher to assess your performance and get targeted feedback. Following a fixed curriculum can sometimes hinder this type of focused work, but with the resources mentioned and guidance from a teacher or tutor, independent learners can efficiently improve in specific areas.
As you improve, integrate your new language into your daily life. Everyone has their preferred techniques. Personally, I talk to myself – a lot. When learning or reactivating a language, I narrate my actions in that language, like providing a voiceover for my life’s movie. This keeps my language “muscles” active and reveals gaps in my vocabulary or areas needing more focus. It works, even if it earns odd looks. If the person who stared at me muttering in Italian in an airport bathroom mirror is reading this, mi dispiace. Another effective technique combining practice and motivation is keeping a diary or notebook in your new language. Documenting your day’s events helps practice different verb tenses and provides 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 helpful feedback from other speakers.
Language learning is a lifelong journey. If approached correctly, it becomes less about grammar drills and vocabulary lists and more about engaging with literature, ideas, travel, conversations, and multilingual friendships. With the right goals and sustained motivation, the initial “slog” of language learning can transform into the joy of living in and through another language.
