Studying a new language has many benefits. It can help improve memory and concentration, open the door to other cultures, advance one’s career, facilitate travel … and the list goes on.
But it’s no secret that learning a language takes a fair amount of time and energy—something people don’t always have after a long day at work or school.
Even the most motivated can sometimes feel a twinge of laziness. Here are a few ideas to help you progress with your learning, even on days when indolence gets in your way!
Listen
Okay, so a long stay abroad isn’t always an affordable way to immerse yourself in a language. A less expensive solution is to watch content in your desired language on streaming platforms. Many of these platforms have foreign-language content, whether original or translated.
Start by turning on subtitles in your first language. Once you’re more advanced, you’ll be able to turn on subtitles in your target language and eventually remove them completely.
If you want to save money, you can also watch videos online or download an app to stream podcasts. And yes, listening to music counts, too!
Repeat
Shadowing is a well-known technique in language teaching. It involves listening to short audio clips—ideally, ones suited to your level. Once you’ve listened to a clip and think you’ve gotten the gist, you can try to repeat what you’ve heard.
The goal isn’t to keep pace with the voice on the clip, but rather to leave a small delay in which you listen and repeat as you go. During the exercise, focus on your intonation and pronunciation.
Do this for 10 to 15 minutes a day for a few weeks, and you’ll notice a difference!
Chat
Perhaps you’re lucky enough to know somebody who speaks the language you’re learning. If not, you could ask your friends and family whether they have any connections. You might be pleasantly surprised!
If you live in the middle of nowhere or are shy, you can try out language exchange websites or apps and use instant messaging or video calls to practise your skills.
Write
Studies show people have an easier time retaining information when they write it down by hand. There’s even a podcast on Radio-Canada’s Ohdio (in French only) that talks about this finding. When possible, put pen to paper when you’re taking notes.
Another trick is to keep a journal and spend some time writing in it daily. The entries don’t have to be very long, especially in the beginning! If you’re studying a language that has a writing system different from yours, you can start by copying words, then go on to writing a few sentences about your daily activities, and so on.
Read
When learning German, don’t start out by reading Nietzsche in the original; pick up some German children’s books instead. Reading is an excellent way to understand the structure of a language and to learn vocabulary.
Another technique is to reread your notes aloud. That way, you’ll be reviewing your grammar while practising your pronunciation.
That’s it! These strategies will help you move towards your goal. At some point, you’ll have to push yourself a bit harder if you really want to improve, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take it easy from time to time.
Feel free to share your tips below for those days when you need some motivation!
Happy learning!
