Have you ever dreamed of learning a language, but never had the opportunity? Perhaps your last language-learning experience was a very long time ago, but you’ve always wanted to reignite your love of languages. If so, being aware of some top tips to learn a new language can make it easier for you to pick up and achieve your language-learning goals.
To help you with that, we have developed this blog post with a list of suggestions to guide you on your language-learning journey, whether you’re using Coffee Break resources or other tools. By following these tips, you can make steady progress, stay motivated, and enjoy the process.
1. Find your favourite method
Our first suggestion in this list of tips to learn a new language is to choose the right method. There are thousands of resources available to help you learn a language, from the traditional textbooks and language exchanges to apps and, of course, the Coffee Break series of podcasts.
Sometimes, the sheer number of different resources that are out there can be quite overwhelming, as it’s impossible to try out everything before getting started. While many people prefer taking face-to-face classes, others work better at home using resources which guide their learning in a certain direction.
This allows people to soak up information without having to worry about what to learn next. Once you’ve decided which method works for you, the fun part can start: you’ll need plenty of colourful pens and notebooks to take notes while learning new vocabulary and practising your writing skills.
2. Understand the language-learning lingo
Most people first come across terms like nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs when they’re learning English or their native language as a small child. Although they don’t tend to come up in everyday speech, these terms are at the very foundation of learning a second language.
The second tip to learn a new language is to know your ‘language-learning lingo.’ Even though everyone has heard of these words before, it’s a good idea to have a look over their meanings before tackling a second language:
- Nouns are “things”
- E.g. the table, the wall, or the dog
- Verbs are “doing words”
- E.g. running, jumping or getting dressed
- The infinitive form of these verbs would be ‘to run’, ‘to jump’ or ‘to get dressed’
- Adjectives are “describing words”
- E.g. blue, waving, happy or slanted
- Adverbs describe the way someone does something
- E.g. quickly, angrily, softly or sleepily
- The subject is the person/thing conducting the action of the sentence
- E.g. he, she, Sophie, the team
You’ll come across a lot more technical lingo during your language-learning journey, but this is a very good tip to learn a new language!
3. Keep a vocabulary book
No matter which new language you’re learning, you may feel overwhelmed at some point when confronted with all of the new vocabulary that comes along with it. As it takes time to learn words and even longer to retain them, our third tip to learning a new language is to keep a notebook in which you can record any new words you learn.
To take the traditional route, use a small notebook, fold each page in half lengthways, and write the English on one side and the corresponding word in the language that you’re learning on the other side. If you’re more technologically-minded, you may prefer to use a notes app to keep track of your words.
Additionally, these apps often have a search feature, so you can look up words quickly and easily, making your language learning more efficient. Spending just 5 or 10 minutes of a coffee break or a bus journey recapping words you’ve already learned goes a long way to helping you progress in your language learning!
4. Visual or audial?
Similar to tip number 1, this tip to learn a new language is all about finding the most efficient way to learn based on your personal style of learning. Many people are visual learners, meaning they need to see things written down to retain them.
These people tend to learn vocabulary best by repeatedly writing or typing the words that they’re trying to remember, for example. Visual learners can also benefit from using colours and images or even watching films.
Related topic: Film recommendations for French, German, Italian and Spanish learners
Others are audial learners and can best memorise points and words by saying and hearing the words over and over again or by listening to podcasts, for example. Try out a few different techniques to find out whether you are a visual or an audial learner. When you know what style works best for you, you’ll see your efficiency vastly improve!
5. Get your pronunciation right
The fifth tip to learn a new language is to get your pronunciation right. The alphabet of the language you’re learning may or may not be the same alphabet as English. Even if it is, be aware that the pronunciation of each word could differ from the way in which you would read it if it were a new English word. Some languages, such as Spanish, are pronounced as they’re written, but others, like French, are not.
For example, the French word “chose” is pronounced very differently from the English word “chose”, beginning with a soft “sh” sound rather than a hard “ch” sound that we hear in English. For this reason, it’s important that you hear how the words are spoken when you’re learning them.
And, of course, there are many languages which don’t use alphabets at all: some languages use characters which can prove challenging for a learner. Using listening resources as the base of your learning is also a great tip to learn a new language, as it ensures that you always learn the correct pronunciation.
It’s difficult to ‘un-train’ your ear and start using the correct pronunciation of a word once you’ve learnt it with the wrong pronunciation, so try to get it right from the start.
6. Use a dictionary app
Every language teacher will advise learners to get a dictionary to use during their studies, but lugging around a chunky book is often impractical. At Coffee Break Languages, we believe in language learning anywhere, at any time.
To enable this, our tip to learn a new language is to have a dictionary app on your phone, especially if you live in a country where your language is spoken and often need to find out the meaning of a word very quickly.
Of course, in addition to a dictionary app, it’s a good idea to have an actual dictionary at home. It should also be pointed out that, although translation apps and websites are constantly being developed and updated, they often can’t beat a good old-fashioned dictionary.
7. Build a routine around your learning
Consistency is one of the most important factors in language learning success. While it’s great to fit in practice whenever you can, building a routine makes it much easier to keep improving over time, and it’s one of the most effective tips to learn a new language.
So, our suggestion is to set aside 10-15 minutes a day. Whether it’s reviewing vocabulary, listening to a podcast, or practising pronunciation, consistent short sessions are often more effective than occasional long sessions.
To help maintain this routine, integrate language practice into your daily activities. For example, you can listen to an audio lesson during your commute, review flashcards while you’re having breakfast, or watch a short video lesson before bed. The more you make language learning a natural part of your day, the more progress you’ll see over time.
8. Be patient!
Here comes the serious stuff: learning a language to an advanced level can take a very long time and is not easy. This said, it is possible to make progress quickly, especially in the early stages.
Our final tip to learn a new language here is to constantly keep in mind the reasons for which you’re learning your language and keeping track of the progress you’ve made will help you to stay motivated, so that you can still pick up your notes or vocabulary book during a well-deserved coffee break, or in the evening after a long day’s work.
Speaking positively about your language learning to those around you and using upbeat and cheerful learning resources will also help, as will setting and achieving your goals. Here at Coffee Break Languages, we believe that everyone has the ability to learn a language, so stick at it and be patient!
Get started today!
We hope these top tips for learning a new language have inspired you to get started with another language for the first time and that they will help you to make great progress! There’s no perfect age or time to start learning a language. The best approach is to take the first step and stay committed to your journey.
At Coffee Break Languages, we believe everyone can learn a language. If you’re ready to begin, check out our courses for your chosen language at the Coffee Break Academy and start your language-learning adventure today!
1 thought on “8 tips to learn a new language from scratch”
Good summary of tips! I would like to add one: For studying vocabulary, I like to use a flashcard app / website with built-in SRS (spaced repetition system). There are several out there for free. Great to use on the commute for example, without having to carry your notebook around.