Fluency: Integrate Language Learning Daily
Use is the best way to learn a fluency in language by learn it daily.
Has learning a new language failed you?
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
You may have spent months or years learning grammar yet still struggled to communicate. You may have even decided not to learn a new language.
You’re not alone. We typically use ineffective methods to learn a new language, which is tough. As a language instructor, my students sometimes think they must know every grammar rule and phrase.
The drama of language learning.
However, remembering grammar rules is not the greatest approach to learn a language. The easiest approach to learn a language is to use it consistently. Grammar and vocabulary are necessary. However, learning through speech or target language materials.
Pimsleur’s language classes are perfect for this because they progress gradually and emphasize real-world communication. There are numerous ways to surround yourself with constant stimulus to learn a language daily.
Here are some of my favorite simple and efficient ways to incorporate language study into your daily routine.
8 Simple and Effective Ways to Learn Language Daily
- Change Phone Language
How long do you use your phone daily? RescueTime believes that people spend 3 hours and 15 minutes a day on smartphones, with the top 20% spending almost 4 hours and 30 minutes. Surprised?
How to Change Phone Language
Smartphones can help you learn anything, especially a new language. Photo by Neil Soni on Unsplash
Why not learn a language during that time?
Set your device’s language to the language you want to study. This simple motion will teach you tons of language quickly and easily. If you’re learning Portuguese, consider checking your phone every day and seeing “Segunda-feira” instead of Monday or “Amanda está ligando” instead of “Amanda is calling”. Your phone will immerse you.
How to change language on Apple and Android devices.
- Add an app to your morning routine
Literally thousands of apps increase language and vocabulary.
They include dictionary apps, word-learning games, and language-learning apps. Some offer daily reminders at specified times to study. Of course, the Android and iOS Pimsleur app is our favorite.
Language Learning Tips for Daily Routine
The Pimsleur app lets you learn anytime, anywhere. Photo: Pimsleur
Pimsleur emphasizes conversational language learning. It’s better than matching words and images on a screen (like other applications). It will teach you to speak. Guaranteed!
Find one or two that work for you in the App Store on your device. Consider learning Italian or French while drinking coffee or eating a croissant in the morning.
- Read Your Target Language News
Many individuals read the news. Internet connectivity makes it easy to follow news in any language you desire to learn. You may even obtain a new perspective.
The Google News app keeps you informed and improves your reading skills.
The Google News app provides global publications and reports.
Try these country-specific news sites:
Learn Japanese by reading Asahi Shimbun.
For Portuguese, try O Globo.
To study Spanish, visit El País or BBC Mundo.
Italian? Visit la Repubblica.
Dong-a Ilbo (동아일보) is suitable for Korean.
German learners can try Der Spiegel
- A Little Culture?
Engaging with a country’s culture makes language learning fun.
Make your music playlist more international. Find artists who sing in your language or listen to regional hits. These new bands and musicians can be heard in traffic, the doctor’s waiting room, the gym, the park, or anywhere else. Learning is exciting and constant.
When feasible, read up the lyrics of songs you’re listening to help increase your vocabulary (and possibly get into karaoke).
A playlist like Around the World in 80 Songs can get you going. Check out our Latin music guide.
Follow YouTube channels in the language you want to learn. A daily video on your favorite topic (fashion, sports, movies, etc.) might improve your listening abilities.
- Value Your Netflix Subscription
Immersion language learning doesn’t require a three-month trip to Europe. Watching movies and TV shows is a great learning method.
Why? They offer street-style cultural immersion and authentic discussion. Netflix has dozens of multilingual alternatives.
Here are the top 10 Netflix Spanish or Brazilian TV programs. Find a Japanese TV show.
This Chrome extension allows you watch your favorite movies with two subtitles at once so you can visually correlate translations with conversation. Excellent for expanding vocabulary.
Movies can help you learn, reduce tension, and give you something to chat about at the bar.
- Make the Most of Your Ride
Why not study throughout your commute instead of playing candy crush or thinking about your ex? Any time, even five minutes or an hour, helps learn a language, especially if constant.
Learn a language during your commute to save time. Unsplash photo by Rathish Gandhi
While driving, listen to a podcast in your target language. Find one on TuneIn or check out this article for 10 great podcasts to help you along.
Try reading or writing instead of driving. Find articles, read books, journal, or talk with a native using a chat app. Your commute may be your best language practice.
- Talk to yourself.
Every household has a self-talker. You may be that person. Allow me to explain.
When I first learned Portuguese, I practiced basic dialogues in the shower. Playing both sides of the conversation:
Hello, may I purchase a bus ticket?
“That will cost 5 reais.”
“Can I pay by card?”
and so on. It may feel strange at first, but it’s a terrific opportunity to practice speaking without a partner and identify vocabulary gaps.
My Brazilian friend who is studying English records herself. She started talking about odd topics alone for several minutes. As time goes on, she may listen to herself and notice her progress.
Your smartphone probably has a voice-recording app. Take notes and record extended monologues with it. It may be awkward at first, but it will improve your speaking skills.
- Let Your Fingers Speak
Keep a journal?
You can now keep a journal on a password-protected app instead of a padlocked notepad. There are thousands of IOs and Android apps like Day One that let you capture voice notes, videos, and photographs.
Diaries can be therapy since you can vent and practice writing. You can use diaries to travel across time and examine how things have changed, even your language.
Make Language Learning a Habit
Learning a language doesn’t require an hour at the library performing grammar exercises. Simply making language practice a daily habit will boost your success.
Every day, practicing a bit while eating breakfast, on the way to work, or in the shower will help you make actual progress in language learning.
Learn Languages Store
Vashi,
Email: services@learnlanguages.store
