Learning a language: how to start (again)?
Are you looking to start learning a new language? Or are you going back to your language learning journey after a long time? Starting learning a language or picking up learning a language again after a long break might leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure about where or how to start. No matter whether you don’t know anything about the new language yet or are going back to learning a language you used to be fluent in or last learnt at school, here are a few things that might help you take action to get started!
Learning a language: how to start (again)?
Are you looking to start learning a new language? Or are you going back to your language learning journey after a long time?
Starting learning a language or picking up learning a language again after a long break might leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure about where or how to start. Perhaps you don’t know what to focus on, what materials to use, worry you are not as good at the language as you used to be or are discouraged by previous language learning attempts and experiences.
No matter whether you don’t know anything about the new language yet or are going back to learning a language you used to be fluent in or last learnt at school, here are a few things to consider that might help you take action to get started.
1. Why are you learning a language?
First things first: why are you learning the language? As with many commitments that might take up quite a bit of your energy, it is worth clarifying for yourself why you want to (or have to) do this. Identifying your motivation to learn the language will help you get focussed on your language goals and make it easier to determine how to achieve those goals.
For example, you might want to learn the language for work. Perhaps you need to have a certain level in order to apply for a job, to work in that language or meet yearly requirements. Or perhaps you are interested in improving your language skills so that you can expand your current job activities, improve your job prospects, communicate with colleagues, customers or clients, expand business opportunities or understand a business culture. Alternatively, perhaps your employer offered to provide an opportunity to improve your language skills.
Other reasons why you might want to learn a language might include:
- You want to or need to pass an exam or obtain a certificate (such as IELTS or Cambridge, citizenship test (inburgeringscursus), NT2)
- To study (abroad) in this language at a university or other educational institute
- Out of personal interest in the language or to better understand a culture and its people (e.g. to understand the cultural background of literature, film, art, music, traditions, habits)
- For family reasons (to communicate with and better understand your partner, grandchildren or other family members)
- To get in touch with your roots (to learn the language that your ancestors spoke, to research your family tree)
- To be able to integrate into the society you emigrated to (to meet new people, make friends, use public services, understand the culture)
- As a new hobby or to learn a language for fun (as a personal challenge, during a less busy time in your life, to keep you active and to continue learning, because you have time now that you are retired, or (no matter how busy your agenda) just because you love learning other languages!)
- To communicate with friends you made abroad or in your own community
- In order to travel and meet new people (to expand your horizon, get to know another culture or life style, to connect with local residents)
- For research purposes (academic, political, historical) or out of linguistic interest.
No matter what your reason(s) is/are for learning a language (again), it is useful to keep in mind why you are learning it. It will not only help you stay motivated along the way but also help you to get started. Also if you are starting to learn a language again after a long break, it is useful to keep this in mind. Perhaps your motivations changed, and therefore your approach can be different this time. You can now decide what skills to learn and what to focus on (your language goals) and how to learn (how to achieve those goals).
2. What are your language goals?
Knowing why you are learning a language is a good point of reference when deciding what to focus on. For example, if you need to pass a Cambridge FCE exam you might want to concentrate on preparing yourself for the exam and its specific parts and improving your skills specifically needed for the exam, rather than on expanding your Business English vocabulary. So, your language goals will be based on why you want to learn the language.
But also, they will depend on what your current level is, what your interests are and what skills you need in order to improve. For example, when you don’t know any Dutch and want to learn the language to improve your speaking in order to integrate into the Dutch society, it might be more useful to focus first on learning skills for basic social conversations and interactions such as talking about the weather, grocery shopping and asking for directions. Also, it is important to notice that the type of skills you want to learn might vary from very broad to very detailed depending on your needs and interests. In any case, make sure that you make your goals specific enough so that you can work with it, and that you focus on a few goals at the same time.
Sometimes, what you will need to focus on might not always be clear. It is also likely to change during the time that you are learning the language and are making progress. In this case, consider getting individual guidance from a professional language coach in order to find the right approach that best fits your individual needs and interests over a period of time. They can identify what you need to focus on and also help you achieve your goals along the way.
3. How to achieve your language goals?
You have your goals defined and you feel all energetic and motivated to work to achieve these goals. The next step is to determine how you can achieve these goals. Nowadays there are plenty of opportunities to learn a language. But how to take the first steps?
• Decide how language learning can fit into your daily life and routine
Although there are so many ways to learn, there is also only so much time that you have available to spend learning a language on top of all your other daily activities. At the same time, consistent exposure to the language are key to effectively learning a new language. Therefore, determine when and how much time you can devote to this on a consistent basis. Perhaps you work full-time and have time during your lunch break or you can spend an hour two evenings a week on learning? Alternatively, you might have more time and be able to allocate two hours every morning to language learning, or go on a language trip for any number of days or weeks. Try making language learning a habit by incorporating it into your routine, so that you are exposed to the language on a regular basis.
• Use modern technology: language learning has become both flexible and accessible
There is a wide variety of apps and other online tools that help you learn a language and are accessible any time of the day for any duration that fits your timetable, including (no affiliate links):
- Duolingo – a website and an app through which you can take language courses which are divided into different modules, track your progress and also include learning new vocabulary and grammar points.
- Memrise – it focuses on learning new vocabulary, and helps you reviewing new words by repetition and mnemonics.
Apart from specific apps and websites, keep in mind that through technology you are able to access many audio and video materials online that could help you learn. Also, you can use interaction through technology to your advantage by changing your preferred language settings to the language you are learning.
• Make language learning personal
On top of dedicating a specific time per week to language learning, immerse yourself in the language in your personal life. Think of your hobbies and interests and learn words that are interesting to you and that you feel you would use. Learn them through an experience that you would usually do anyway. Perhaps you like cooking and are often trying out new recipes – why not use a recipe in the language you are trying to learn? Also, have a look at the type of topics you need to know the vocabulary of more immediately. For example, if you are moving to a new country, have a look into translations of words that come in handy and that you will actually use when moving (“moving box”, “furniture”, etc.).
• Start interacting and practising
Apart from learning a language by yourself, it is also rewarding, motivating and important to actively use the language and communicate with others – also at the start of your language learning journey. Not only can you put the things you learnt into practice, you might also pick up new words and expressions from others. It is a way to start expressing yourself more naturally and to start feeling at ease with the new language and gain confidence.
The more you practice a language, the more you might start feeling confident and the more fluent you get. Speaking in particular can be a great way of interacting to improve your skills. For example, speaking in a small, 1-2-1 setting might give you a safe and comfortable space to practice the language, make mistakes and develop your confidence (read also: 9 tips to confidently speak a foreign language).
No matter whether you practice with a friend, acquaintance, language tandem partner, a professional language coach, friends from abroad or a pen pal, interaction is key – not only to learn and memorise new words and practice your pronunciation but also to start practising the language in an enjoyable way!
• Get support: sign up for lessons
A more structured approach; a space (whether geographically or time-wise) that is dedicated to language learning without distractions; a coach to explain the language; individual tips and a support network tailored towards your needs and interests; a public announcement of your language learning goals as extra motivation to start (or continue) learning; professional help with practising the language, instant feedback and correction? Taking lessons can be a great and concrete way to start learning (again) and can offer a large range of options!
• Step by step: start simple but start today!
Learning a new language is a process that takes time. This can be overwhelming at first, but keep in mind that Rome was not built in one day. It’s okay to take language learning step by step. Yet, it is important to take that first step! Start with simple and realistic goals, focus on only a few goals at the same time, and enjoy starting today. See what approach works for you, and adjust if needed along the way.
