Inquiry: Tips for Learning a New Language

This week, I decided to focus my inquiry on helpful tips when learning a new language. I am bilingual (French and English) and I am currently learning a third language (Spanish). I find that learning a third language is much easier for bilingual individuals as their mind has developed the required flexibility of transitioning between languages. However, anyone can learn a language with determination and practice!

My first recommendation for learning a new language is enjoyment. This TED talk discusses that to develop fluency in a language, you must enjoy how you are learning it. This video highlights that you can learn a language in a large variety of informal and formal ways as long as you enjoy your chosen method of learning. I find this to be true as if you do not enjoy how you are learning, then you will not be motivated to learn. A key component of learning a language is motivation. Ultimately, motivation and enjoyment go hand-in-hand. Please watch this TED talk for the full explanation:

The second tip that I have for learning a new language is practice (practice, practice, practice!). This is super important as to learn a language you must have exposure in a variety of different ways through practice. Language learning can be seperated into four different components:

• written comprehension (reading)
• written expression (writing)
• oral comprehension (listening)
• oral expression (speaking)

Reading, writing, listening, and speaking must all be practiced to develop fluency in a new language. Many language teaching websites such as Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu, and many others (please follow this link for a complete best rated list 10 Best language learning apps 2022 – Lingualift) incorporate these four language learning components. All these four components of language must be developed simultaneously to ensure fluency. Therefore, you must practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking in order to fully learn a new language.

Another recommendation that I have for learning a new language is relevancy. The language must be relevant to you otherwise you will not enjoy it or have the motivation to practice. Therefore, it is critical to choose a language that you are passionate to learn. This recommendation is super important in a classroom setting as many students may not see the relevancy of the language that they are learning. So, as a language teacher it is important to show students the relevance by incorporating the culture (food, music, movies, books, traditions), finding pen pals, and sharing stories of experiences with the language/where it is spoken. This website provides additional ways to enhance language learning, 5 Ways to Make Language Learning Meaningful – The TEFL Academy Blog The TEFL Academy.

Ultimately, learning a language requires motivation, enjoyment, practice, and relevance. You must be passionate to learn a new language! It can be frustrating, but languages provide so many amazing opportunities in life.

Hasta luego,

Kyra