Top 12 Tips & Strategies for Learning a New Language Fast

Learning a new language can be an enriching experience. It can help with successful communication with people from foreign countries, increases understanding of different cultures and traditions, and trains the brain, improving observation skills and allowing for different perspectives. There are several upsides to expanding one's linguistic horizons. To get the most out of your efforts when learning a new language, here are 12 tips to help you along the way.

Choose a Word of the Day

Incorporating new vocabulary into your daily life is a great way to commit words to memory. Picking one or two new words each morning and using them throughout the day can help you become more comfortable with a language. Learning the 100 most common words and making sentences with them is crucial to becoming more comfortable.

Begin with the 100 Common Words

It's important to remember that not all vocabulary is equally useful; some words give a better return on investment than others. For example, a person living in Buenos Aires studied Spanish with the help of a language app for months but still could not follow basic conversations. This is because they had not focused on the most common words and phrases in everyday conversation.

Mastering basic vocabulary is essential when learning a new language, as it will help you understand 50% of all spoken communication. Knowing the most common 100 words in a language can also help you build confidence when speaking or writing. Additionally, focus on relevant vocabulary that pertains to your life and interests to use it more effectively in conversations and other contexts.

Focus On What’s Relevant

Your approach to language learning should focus on what is most relevant and essential to you. If you are learning for a specific purpose, such as an upcoming trip, then learning the essential common phrases to help you communicate and navigate the country would be beneficial. You should also focus on vocabulary related to your interests to stay motivated and engaged.

Language experts like John-Erik Jordan, author of Babbel, suggest breaking down your target language into manageable chunks by focusing on what is most relevant or interesting to you. This will help you focus on the most pressing knowledge gaps and fill them in over time. Additionally, he recommends immersing yourself in the culture by watching movies and listening to music.

Watching Dubbed Shows and Movies

Rewatch programs and movies from your childhood (Transformers anyone?) dubbed in the language you want to learn and have English subtitles. Additionally, watch children’s shows in that language. It will help you remember and understand simple words and help you learn the basics of the language faster. Also, turn your phone, games, and subtitles to that language - the more contact you have with the language, the more accustomed you will become to it.

Listen to Music in Your Target Language

Listening to music is an excellent way to learn a new language. Not only does it provide an entertaining way to practice your listening skills, but it can also help you become familiar with the pronunciation and intonation of the language. Additionally, songs often contain words or phrases not typically used in everyday conversation, which can help you expand your vocabulary.

When listening to music in your target language, paying attention to the lyrics and trying to understand them is crucial. This will help you familiarize yourself with the language and its grammar rules. It can also be helpful to look up the lyrics of songs so that you can read along as you listen. This will help you become more comfortable with the language and make remembering new words and basic phrases easier.

Learn Cognates in Your New Language

Cognates are handy language-learning hacks that help you learn a new language quickly and effectively. Cognates are words in another language that look similar to words in your native language, making them easier to remember and recognize. For example, many English words ending in '-tion' have counterparts in other Roman languages, such as Spanish or French. You can find examples of English words borrowed from non-Roman languages by googling "English loan words in" This makes it easier for English speakers to learn a new language's basics without starting from scratch.

Pace Yourself: One Step at a Time

Having a study plan is essential. Pacing yourself is equally so. Taking short bursts of language study several times is more effective than trying to learn the language in one marathon session. People don't need to spend 5-6 hours a day learning a language; 10-15 minutes of daily practice, broken up into activities such as memorizing vocabulary and reading/listening to stories or news articles, can be just as effective. Consistency and focus are more important than the amount of time spent practicing.

In addition to studying, exposing yourself to listening and reading in the language is also important. Talking to a native speaker and listening to recordings might help you break up your study schedule and keep you from becoming bored or overwhelmed. It is also important to schedule breaks to rest your brain, but don't take off too long, or you may lose momentum. Finally, book speaking partner sessions in advance so that.

Track Your Progress

Tracking your progress is an integral part of learning a new language. It's a great way to inspire yourself and progress toward your objectives. Documenting your experiences with photographs and captions in the new language is a great way to celebrate small victories. This will help keep you motivated and remind you how far you have come. Additionally, measuring your progress can be beneficial for increasing motivation. This could be through tracking the number of words learned or by taking tests at regular intervals.

On low-motivation days, it's important not to worry about progress too much and focus on completing the language learning session. Celebrating the smallest of accomplishments can serve as a powerful source of motivation. Tracking your progress is a great way to structure learning and combat motivation loss, so take advantage of this tool as you learn a new language

Make Mistakes and Learn from Them

Making mistakes is an inevitable part of learning a new language, but it's vital to remember that it's a natural part of learning and developing. Children are particularly adept at learning languages quickly because they don't fear making mistakes. They understand that mistakes are part of the journey and use them to learn more about the language. You must focus on the positives and ignore criticism when learning a new language. Mistakes will happen, but it's essential to take them in stride and use them as an opportunity to learn more about the language you're trying to master. Despite setbacks or mistakes, you can progress in your language acquisition with patience and dedication.

Always Carry a Notebook

Carrying a notebook is essential when trying to improve your new language skills. It lets you keep track of all the new words and real-world phrases you learn. Writing down anything you don't understand can help with comprehension and make remembering what you have learned easier.

In addition to using your notebook to study, you can also use it as a diary to write in the new language and English. This will help you become more comfortable with the language by writing about your thoughts or experiences related to learning it. Keeping a diary can also be beneficial for tracking your progress and helping you stay motivated while learning a foreign language.

Use an App

Using an app to help study popular languages is a fantastic option, as many provide interactive lessons and pronunciation guides. Duolingo is often regarded as the best language learning apps. The app uses gamification to keep users engaged and encourages them to keep learning. It provides special courses, podcasts, story-learning features, and a beginner-friendly user interface to help users improve their language skills. With Duolingo, you can learn new phrases or brush up on old vocabulary without spending any money, as the app is free.

Another great app is Rosetta Stone. This award-winning app helps users learn grammar, sentence structure, and conversation without memorization. It is more challenging and professional than other language-learning software.

Attend Language Courses and Meetup Groups

Joining a course with other language learners is also beneficial as it allows you to practice and keep the language fresh in your mind. Having a language learning buddy is also helpful as it can help you stay on track and provide honest feedback. It's important to avoid relying solely on yourself as the human mind can distort our impressions of our progress.