Achieving your aim of learning a new language might be a challenge, even if you’re enthusiastic and motivated to do so. To a significant extent, this is due to the fact that the process of “successfully learning a language” does not look the same for everyone and neither should it!
The difficulty of learning a new language is compounded by the necessity of breaking it down into a plethora of smaller, more doable tasks before any real progress can be seen. If you’re just starting off and aren’t sure where to begin, here are a few good initial actions to take.
Any language you choose to learn (or have chosen to learn) will be easier if you create the proper foundations for it. Before you even begin your vocabulary drills, make sure to follow these five simple procedures.
5 Easy Steps to Getting Started Learning a Language
You must be able to articulate your aims and reasons clearly.
Many first-time learners overlook the significance of being crystal clear about their goals and the reasons behind their choices. To learn a new language isn’t apparent, is it? There is something about claiming that you can speak three languages that is appealing.
It’s not as simple as it seems, though! People study languages for a variety of reasons, and the motivations behind your decision to take the time to learn a language can have an impact on your level of fluency. As a result, many people give up on learning a new language because they believe they will never achieve “perfect fluency,” which is an unrealistic goal.
A learning plateau is unavoidable, but you may avoid it by being crystal clear about your reasons and goals from the beginning of your trip. It’s not enough to say you’d want to “learn Spanish,” though. Is there any way to tell when you’ve arrived? In order to be effective, a goal needs to be specific and doable in the short term. You should be able to take small, manageable actions toward achieving your goal.
Reflect on the strategies that have previously assisted you in learning new things.
By the way, this applies to more than simply language learning. What has worked well in the past for you? Do you like to immerse yourself in a book, or do you prefer to learn by doing? Is there a particular time of day when you’re most productive? Do you do better in class if you have a classmate? Do you enjoy using flashcards, or do you prefer to watch movies on YouTube?
All of these considerations are vital to keeping in mind when deciding how to begin learning a new language. The concept of “learning styles,” at least in the sense that one individual can be an aural learner and another a visual learner, has been discredited.
Start thinking about the unique ways you sometimes gain from reading in these distinct learning styles since it may be quite valuable to use them for different sorts of content (versus listening, versus watching, and so on).
When it comes to studying a language, you have several possibilities. Do you have the time and money to attend an in-person language lesson, and have you had success in similar settings before? It’s up to you whether or not you can afford to hire a private instructor. If you like to study in a hands-on, real-world context, what are your options?
The versatility of using an app like Babbel, where you can additionally augment your learning with games, podcasts, and online language sessions, is something you might like.
Your learning plan should be adapted to your particular personality, requirements, and lifestyle, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Organize your toolbox.
Your tools will be in order now that you have a clear idea of how you intend to approach your objective. If you’re going to take lessons, you’ll need to download any applications you want to use, acquire the necessary books and materials, set up your language-learning diary, identify social media profiles to follow, and organize podcasts, movies, and other media you may use to complement your learning.
It’s great to use a range of approaches, but don’t go overboard with supplies. Aim for three to five distinct tools at first before gradually increasing the number.
We’ve compiled a list of useful websites for those who want to study a new language from the beginning.
Formulate a lesson strategy.
Since you’ve already completed the first phase, you should have a good idea of the numerous knowledge and skillsets you’ll need to acquire. (“knowledge blocks” include concepts such as conjugations, subjunctive mood, etc.)
Don’t worry if you’re a complete novice to language study and have no concept of what this entails. App-based learning typically means that the road map is already written out for you, and self-directed learning nearly always means that you will start with a few very basic components initially.
The best place to begin learning a language is with rudimentary skills such as learning the alphabet, fundamental pronunciation, and phonetics. The majority of a language’s vocabulary is made up of about 100 basic terms that are used often in daily discourse.
If you’re learning for a career or a restaurant experience, focus on vocabulary sets that are related to what you’re really going to be talking about (such as business language or culinary terminology).
The fifth step is to design a timetable that works best for you.
The most important factor in your performance is likely to be how well you manage your time. It doesn’t matter how excited you are to get started if you can’t form a habit that lasts.
In the long run, it’s better to study for 15 minutes a day rather than four hours a week (and then quit up because you’re exhausted) since you’ll get more done. One of the most important pieces of advice we’ve ever gathered from learning experts is to take tiny steps toward your objectives on a regular basis. Fortunately, it’s a rather simple task. A typical day includes between 10 and 15 minutes of downtime.
Determine what your “trigger” or “window of opportunity” will be at the beginning. As an example, you could listen to a podcast while standing in line at the supermarket, drill flashcards while waiting for your kids to get out of school, or do a lesson on your phone after your morning coffee every day.
Your study time should be tied to an activity that you currently undertake on a regular basis, so that you may have some flexibility in your schedule.
Make sure your timetable has some diversity built-in. The term “treats” and “rewards” are used interchangeably here. For example, on Sundays, you may meet with your study partner through Zoom, while on Friday nights, you might go to the movies or eat at a restaurant to immerse yourself in the culture of your target language. This may be the kind of encouragement you need to keep going over the long haul.
