Effective Strategies for Learning a New Language
As an American ESL teacher living in Germany, I know first-hand how difficult it can be to learn a new language.
No matter if you are an advanced learner or a novice, every learner struggles at some point during the language learning process. And one of the best ways to learn overcome these struggles is through immersion.
Don’t just learn a language, live it.
Too many of my students separate their ‘study time’ from their normal routines, only focusing on their language skills for a small timeslot during the day. Now, I am not discouraging this method. But if you truly want to improve you language skills quickly you have to integrate that language into your every day life.
In this article I will give you a few tips and some helpful immersion strategies that will help you on your way to communicating in your target language.
Language Immersion
Labeling
When I first moved to Germany I knew absolutely no German. Zilch. What did I do? I labeled everything in my house with sticky notes. I didn’t realize how helpful this would be! This is perfect for tactile (hands on) and visual learners.
To step up your game, say the word out loud every time you use the labeled object. As your vocabulary range broadens, start constructing those words into simple sentences.
The goal is to train your brain to start thinking in your target language.
Radio/Podcasts/Audio books
Auditory language learning (listening) is one of the best methods to not only keep yourself engaged, but it is also a great way to passively absorb information. Do you need to clean the house? Set up a personalized playlist on Spotify and let the music blast!
Make sure to include some Podcasts and TEDtalks along with your songs to keep you inspired.
TV/Films/Video Games
When it comes to learning a language through television there are a few ways you can go about it. They both have their advantages and disadvantages.
- Watch a Film/TV series in the original language.
Watching a film in its original language is the best way to get a grasp of its flow and rhythm.
It’s okay if you can’t understand everything that is being said. Simply listening to the words and the intonation of how they are pronounced will improve your understanding of the language’s structure.
But be warned when it comes to using subtitles. These translations are not always 1 to 1. As you become accustomed to speaking two languages you will notice that many things can not be translated literally but rather contextually.
For example, in English you would say have a party. Where as in German, you would “Party machen,” literally—make Party.
- Watch a familiar favorite and play the dubbed version.
With this method it is helpful to watch the films and TV series that you know by heart. Even though you don’t understand the words being spoken, you will still be able to follow the context, and piece in new vocabulary words as you go.
Netflix
Computer and Device Default Language
Another helpful immersion tool is to change your computer’s and cellphone’s operating system language. Now, proceed with caution. I cannot express to you the absolute terror I felt when I switched my laptop to German, and quickly realized how far in over my head I was. So, I would only suggest this method for more advanced students.
Youtube
For all of you audio, visual learners out there. This is going to be your best bet. At least it was with me! My saving grace was watching “German with Jenny” on Youtube.
I find it best to subscribe to a channel that teaches a mixture of grammatical structures, and fun, relatable every day topics. However, any type of channel with native speakers will do the trick. Turn on those subtitles and the available transcripts and off you go.
Social Media
Are you relatively active on social media? Well, if you are then you might as well load it with something that helps you grow and learn. I, myself, participate in many language learning groups.
Its always helpful to follow hashtags on platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram such as:
#languagelearning #language #languages #english #languagestudy #learning #polyglot #learnenglish #languagelover #vocabulary #studygram #languageschool #french #spanish #education #learn #learnfrench #learnlanguages #german #ol #learnspanish #ais #foreignlanguage #bilingual #languageexchange #englishlanguage #englishteacher
Drills Repeat
See it. Say it. Repeat it. Using flashcards are a simple and effective way of using all three methods of learning.
I recommend both image-based, where a photo is printed on the front and the vocabulary term is on the back. And also, word-based, where you write a vocabulary word in your native tongue on one side, and the translated text on the other.
Literature
An oldie but a goodie. You can’t go wrong with good ol’ fashioned reading. Just make sure you find the topic interesting. Magazines, news articles, short stories. Your favorite children’s book.
Buy a copy in your native language and the new language. Then translate it word for word. I did this with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Yes, I admit it was time consuming. But it also helped me tremendously.
Workbooks
Using language workbooks is another tried and true method that you could use to learn more about grammar and structure. Just make sure you know your proficiency level before you buy your materials.
When it comes to language learning there are lots of scales that are used to evaluate your competency. Depending on where you live or work will affect what scale you should use.
United States
For Americans, the most common scales are the Interagency Language Roundtable scale (ILR.) It’s a five-tier system that is broken down as follows:
S-1: elementary proficiency
S-2: limited working proficiency
S-3: professional working proficiency
S-4: full professional proficiency
S-5: native or bilingual proficiency
Europe
For those who live and work in Europe, the most common scales are Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR.) This a six point scale that is divided into six subcategories.
| A1: Beginner |
| A2: Elementary |
| B1: Intermediate |
| B2: Upper intermediate |
| C1: Advanced |
| C2: Proficiency |
Speaking with a Native Speaker
Now this is the jackpot, folks. Holding a conversation with a native speaker is going to catapult your progress. And you can even do it without leaving the comfort of your home.
First, I would recommend an online language exchange. There are some great websites such as LingoGlobe and Speaky that offer a platform for people who wish to learn a new language in exchange for teaching their own.
But if you are interested in a more personalized exchange where a native teacher can give a structured lesson, Lingoda is my favorite online language resource. They offer fully qualified native teachers for private and group lessons, and you can learn online anytime.
Don’t Give Up
In my experience I have found that we as learners are a lot harder on ourselves than the people around us. If we do not learn as quickly or as ‘easily’ as we think we should, we become quickly discouraged.
So, what is most important during the language learning process is not motivation or skill, but determination. Make sure to take breaks when necessary, keep yourself inspired, and of course–have fun!