With tight deadlines nowadays, most people live fast. Every single minute is well-planned so that we can get most of the day.
And how all that work if you want to start learning a foreign language? How can anyone find time to learn a new language?
We have to face the fact that day won’t become longer. Then, we should aim to use all those 24 hours the best possible but also not to be overly worried if something doesn’t go as we’ve planned.
How to learn a new language and to organize your day, in the following lines, we will present you the language strategies.
So, continue reading and find out the top 7 language learning strategies and tips for learning a new language.
Make Language Learning a Priority
If you want a perfect time during the day to start studying the language, then you’ll never learn it.
There is no perfect time. Also, if learning a second language is really that much important you will organize your day to spend at least 15 to 20 minutes learning a language.
No matter how busy you are, repeating some familiar words or practicing a couple of sentences won’t take long, and your brain will thank you for that.
Make language learning a priority and lifetime change. Just like you can organize your day to practice already learned things or some new ones, make it a daily habit, and stick to it. In the beginning, it will be a little strange, difficult even, but once you start and stick to the schedule, every next day will be easier. This way, language learning will become a part of your ordinary day, similar to brushing teeth or reading a book.
Use The Hidden Spare Time to Learn a Language
You probably aren’t even aware, but no matter how busy you are, there are many moments during the day you can use efficiently. Fulfill those moments to practice the language.
For example, use language-learning apps when you’re going back home from work, listen to podcasts when you cook or use flashcard apps to boost your vocabulary while waiting in line.
You could also use your lunch break and practice your speaking skills. Book a lesson with tutors, who are also native speakers, and talk about anything you want. This way, you can practice new words and phrases, fill the gaps in vocabulary and grammar, and stay motivated to continue learning and practicing.
As you see, you can make the most of the time you dedicate to learning a language. Maybe you won’t have the feeling that you are actually studying the language, but your brain, undoubtedly, will know and it will try to memorize as much as possible.
Use The Advantage of Technology
Luckily, we live in a world where technology is an inevitable part of our lives. Why don’t we use this benefit to practice the language?
For example, change the language on your phone and set it to your target language. These words you’ll memorize very quickly because you’ll have to use the device the whole day.
Also, change the language on your browser. It can be challenging to get used to the language, but that’s one of the productive ways to learn words and phrases that are used every day.
Learn Useful Phrases
It’s not that some words are more important than others but learning some of them you won’t use at all is a waste of time.
Therefore, you should learn expressions that you’ll use in conversations. If you, for example, like books, you should make a list of expressions that are used in book-related conversations.
Moreover, learn phrases to introduce yourself and talk about your interests and some basic expressions to explain your feelings.
For a start, you can make a list of topics you usually like to talk about. Make a list of words and phrases under each topic you usually use. This way, you’ll shorten the time you need to improve your vocabulary and you will learn words and phrases that are useful to you as well.
Invite The Language Into Your Daily Life
To invite the language into your daily life means that you have to use the language every day, in every possible way.
Expose yourself to the language.
For example, put a post-it on every object in the house, such as shelves, fridge, bathroom, etc. If you want to relax with a tv, choose to watch movies or tv-shows in the target language. If you are a beginner, use subtitles in English or your native language. Otherwise, watch them with subtitles on your target language or even without them.
It can be challenging at first, but once you call the language to be your ‘roommate,’ your learning progress will be more efficient.
Practice The Language Early in The Morning or Before You Go to Bed
It is scientifically proven that our brain works the best early in the morning or late at night, right before we have to go to bed.
When we wake up our brain is fresh and fully prepared to receive new information. At night, on the other hand, our brain processes all the information it gathered during the way.
So, use this advantage to practice the language.
No matter how busy your day will be, repeating some words and phrases or practicing to make sentences while you brush your teeth is an ideal opportunity to start the day.
At night, before you go to bed, dedicate at least 15 minutes to learn something new in your target language. Whether it is one of the grammar rules, reading a dialogue, or learning 10 new expressions, it is also a perfect moment because, while you sleep, your brain will process that information. When you wake up in the morning, you can successfully repeat what you've learned.
Competing With Others is Healthy And Productive
You can use the advantage of the internet and find a learning partner.
There are many great language forums or groups on social networks where you can find a student with the same proficiency level as you are. You can help each other in many areas, such as practicing your speaking skills, learning new phrases, or even correcting mistakes to one another.
Even better, you can compete. A fun and friendly competitions are healthy, and it pushes you to try harder and be better.
We are all busy people with full schedules. So, how to learn a foreign language on your own?
If you really want to learn a new language efficiently, you can do that with these strategies. Being consistent in learning new things in your target language and repetition is the catch that will lead you to fluency.
After you’ve read these great tips, are you ready to apply them in your learning routine?
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What are the most effective strategies for learning a new language quickly?
Make Language Learning a Priority, Use The Hidden Spare Time to Learn a Language, Use The Advantage of Technology, Learn Useful Phrases, Invite The Language Into Your Daily Life
Can you learn a foreign language by using technology?
uckily, we live in a world where technology is an inevitable part of our lives. Why don’t we use this benefit to practice the language? For example, change the language on your phone and set it to your target language. These words you’ll memorize very quickly because you’ll have to use the device the whole day. Also, change the language on your browser. It can be challenging to get used to the language, but that’s one of the productive ways to learn words and phrases that are used every day.
