Are you struggling to learn a foreign language? If so, you are probably looking for language learning methods and approaches.
What is the most acceptable, most effective way to do it?
It’s all here. Discover the TEN best techniques and strategies to help you immensely in your language acquisition journey!
Languages are the essence of a person’s communication.
Since the tongue is a medium for expressing your mindset with others, it allows you to think and analyze others’ thoughts, opinions, and actions.
It is tough to survive without any language, so value it and study it thoroughly.
Most people would agree on the absolute importance of learning a foreign language in today’s society.
Thanks to the growing number of language jobs, cultural characteristics, moving abroad, and new careers for language learners, having at least one foreign tongue on your resume is a big plus.
It means that you are more valuable to the employer.
You can help with more customers, deal with more business contacts, or help prepare more targeted sales and revenues.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 10 Best Methods and Strategies to Help You Learn a Language
- 1. Set a short-term language learning goal and stick to it!
- 2. Learning a language by using the Pareto Principle — The 80/20 Rule
- 3. Breakdown your learning materials into smaller pieces
- 4. Learn to think in a foreign language
- 5. Don’t forget listening and Speaking
- 6. Incorporate both the natural and systematic language approaches
- 7. Language learning with the Spaced repetition method
- 8. What about Reading and Writing Skills?
- 9. Get married to a Dictionary
- 10. Watch Movies and listen to Music to improve communication skills
- Final thought (Conclusion)
Introduction
Alright! You want to learn a second language but find out you’re too busy to start from somewhere.
I share in your pain! I’ve been there quite a few times.
Homelife and professional commitments are demanding, and the famous 24 hours a day won’t be getting longer.
So, when can we conveniently find the time to sit up and learn an entirely new language?
Fortunately for you, I have some good news.
There are practical, surefire strategies you can adapt to free up time to learn that new language you so crave.
So take a seat and pay apt attention. School is in session, and the topic is “Language Learning Methodology!”
10 Best Methods and Strategies to Help You Learn a Language
There are plenty of Language teaching methodologies and strategies.
Things get a bit more complicated here since different answers to this question have guided the various methods employed in language classrooms.
Here is the list!
1. Set a short-term language learning goal and stick to it!
For successful language learning, choosing a well-defined and short-term deadline is essential.
As per my personal observation, most people fail to learn a language by not setting a goal.
How do we implement that?
Simple! Make a goal based on S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound).
This SMART goal setting brings discipline, structure, and trackability into your language learning goals and objectives.
Specific — Avoid making simple goals like: “Learn Italian in 2025”.
It is too vague. Your goals need to be as precise as possible. Your specific purpose should be like this:
“I will practice 30 minutes of listening at least 5-6 times a week.”
“I will complete Italian irregular verb conjugation in all tenses in 6 months.”
Or I will appear for the Italian proficiency test CELI 1 (A2 Level) in January 2025 by covering the curriculum.
Measurable — Make your goals measurable.
How do you measure your progress in a language?
You want to put a number, quantity, time, date, or anything that makes a goal even more precise and offers noticeable results.
For example, set concise learning goals such as writing three paragraphs around 100 words in a week or fewer verb tense errors in your email writing.
You can start working towards that goal by studying which tenses to use in your essay.
Some might find that setting a time target (study for 60 minutes a day) works better for them than a results target (learn 30 words daily).
Use what works best for you.
Attainable — An unrealistic goal may cause your motivation levels to drop significantly.
Make sure you can achieve your goal within a realistic amount of time.
Thus, create attainable goals. Don’t focus on too many things at once.
Breaking the tasks into small milestones is the key to eventually conquering an achievable study program.
Setting big goals that are too difficult will kill your motivation. Break your goal into smaller goals.
You can measure your progress by completing one small goal at a time.
Your goals may change throughout the year, but keep working towards something attainable.
Challenge yourself by doing something difficult for you, but make sure your goal is achievable.
Your goal should have meaning to you; this will keep your interest and give you a sense of satisfaction when you complete it.
Relevant — Decide how you are going to achieve that goal.
Make sure your goal is relevant to your needs. Choose techniques or activities that are relevant to your language learning goal.
For example, enrolling in a foreign language course in your city could be helpful.
Select your classes carefully to align with your objectives and competence level.
Why learn complex Spanish subjunctive tense if your only goal is to know basic phrases?
Additionally, you can focus on areas you are weak in rather than on more persuasive skills.
Time-bound — Every goal needs a target date or deadline within which you want to achieve your small goals.
It essentially means setting yourself a deadline for achieving your goal.
Your foreign tongue will not be perfect in 6 months or one year.
It is one of the prevalent misconceptions about language learning.
Studying a new tongue takes time.
If it intrigues you, you can read — How does it take to learn a language?
Setting aside time for language learning can be daunting with everything else going on in life.
Decide what works best for you.
Some people like working on a goal for 30 minutes daily, while others would like to dedicate 4 hours on the weekend.
Set a date and get to work!
Be S.M.A.R.T. Language Learner in 2020 and Beyond!
Having a goal will help you improve or learn any new language.
While it is okay to have a SMART goal in mind and rely on memory, writing the objective down gives it a stronger sense of purpose and makes it easier to consult and track.
You can also write why they’re valuable to you.
Making a SMART goal, being honest with yourself, and sticking to the plan will help you reach your language-learning dream.
Moreover, practice makes perfect, and learning takes time.
Once you achieve your goal within a specific time frame, it will boost your confidence and motivate you to move on to your next actionable plan confidently.
2. Learning a language by using the Pareto Principle — The 80/20 Rule
What is the Pareto Principle?
The Pareto principle, also known as the 80/20 theory, is a rule that suggests that 20 percent of your activities will account for 80 percent of your results.
Or 80% of our efforts yield only 20% of the results.
Time is of the essence when it comes to language learning, and without creating adequate time, no other language learning techniques will work for you.
The modern world, as it is, is one buzzing hell of chaotic activities.
And from all indications, it will get worse with each passing year.
However, our primary challenge is not a lack of time but the inability to identify and focus on our priorities.
It is at this junction that the Pareto Principle comes into play.
The 80/20 Rule is a simple but efficient strategy. It helps you identify the most essential, high-result-oriented activities while eliminating the unnecessary, low-result-oriented ones.
It will also free up additional time for language learning.
An Italian economist, Vilfredo Pareto, first popularized the principle, and it’s concerned with comparative analysis.
The Pareto principle states that you can analyze and compare all your activities, freeing up vast swaths of previously unavailable time.
See the example below:
- Jot down as many daily, weekly, or monthly recurring tasks as you can remember (work, chores, exercise, play, study, etc.)
- Go through the list and start the job that generates the best, most perceivable rewards. These are the big, resulted-oriented tasks you should prioritize.
- Now, pinpoint which tasks represent the greatest misery or create the most negligible benefit. Cross these tasks off the list and try to remove them from your life.
Another way to look at it is “Word Frequency.”
We all know the importance of vocabulary acquisition when learning a new language is indisputable.
Imagine you’re studying the German language.
How many vocabulary words do you need to gain conversational proficiency in speaking and understanding German?
You can achieve approximately 80% conversational German proficiency with only 2,000 words. To reach 98% proficiency, you need to learn roughly 100,000 words.
Thus, gaining less than 10% of the German words would yield 98% of the desired result.
In fact, By learning the 2000 most frequent words, you will be able to cover 80% of almost any language.
Therefore, as a language learner, an 80/20 analysis tells you to prioritize vocabulary.
The use of frequency lists for language learning is beneficial.
You will enhance the result by applying the Pareto Principle to your language learning activities.
Plus, you have more time to learn, as well.
3. Breakdown your learning materials into smaller pieces
Now that you have enough time to learn your new language.
You can reasonably use your time by dividing your language learning materials into smaller parts.
See this example;
• Ten short stories of 100 words each
• A story of 1000 words.
Now, which of these would be easier to memorize? Of course, it’s number one if you guess correctly.
One of the best language learning methods of learning anything is to take in little snippets of information.
Then, we internally organize them sensibly and externally establish what we have understood.
The more you take in additional information, the more your mind will connect, collate, and correlate such details into what you have learned previously.
You can collect small notes through a pocket notebook, smartphone, or whatever suits you.
The critical point is quickly and efficiently capturing the word or any small piece of knowledge.
Convert a list of vital points to Post-it Notes, and you can creatively stick them around your home, office, or bedroom.
4. Learn to think in a foreign language
First-time language learners usually believe they must be fluent to start thinking in a language.
Trust me, that’s not entirely true!
Is it Easy?
Of course not!
Thinking in a target language, especially initially, can be challenging and tricky when learning a foreign language.
Most people acquire a new language by translating.
I see people doing it all the time. It is one of the causes of failure in learning a second language.
Instead of transcribing everything you listen to and thinking of a response in the language you’re learning, you’ll finally be able to communicate effortlessly.
Making your brain believe in your native language, English, or your target language will only slow down the language learning process.
To speak fluently, you must start thinking in the language concerned.
Once you master this excellent, time-tested, and trusted language-learning technique, you’ll surely notice considerable improvements in your foreign language acquisition.
It will surely take time.
Well, it can and will happen if you make a conscious effort to make it happen.
According to research published by the University of Chicago psychologists, by thinking in a target language, you will not only jump-start your skills in that language.
You’ll also make more intelligent and rational decisions.
Imagine yourself learning French.
If you can choose to think, “I am learning French now.” So there is no reason you can’t remember “J’apprends le français maintenant” as soon as you know those five words.
If you don’t know the word “J’apprends” (I am learning), but you know how to say “J’étudie le Français maintenant” (I am studying French now), you can think that.
Alternatively, you can always look up a word or two in the dictionary as you get “stuck.”
Putting your thoughts and mind into your new language forces you to learn, not just vocabulary.
But also phrases, grammar rules, and specific ways to express what you want to say. Often, you learn what others think you should know.
It helps, but your thoughts are unique when you feel like you are learning what YOU need to know in your new language.
Talk to yourself!
Speaking a language is perhaps the best way to learn it; thinking it is just expressing it in your mind.
You’ll discover your most important words, expressions, and sentences if you continually consider them.
It is a great way to study a new language.
You should try to implement this fantastic method of studying languages into your learning routine.
Trust me, it works!
5. Don’t forget listening and Speaking
Learning a new language involves listening, speaking, reading, and writing, all critically important skills.
The speaking and listening parts tend to be more complex and complicated than acquiring reading and writing skills.
Usually, people struggle most with listening and speaking.
The two main reasons are:
- Lack of enough practice when you’re not living in the country where the target language is spoken and
- Love for the language is lost when the primary goal is writing, reading, translating, and consciously studying infinite grammatical rules.
We must remember that we learn a foreign language for practical use and not develop literary mastery.
Unless, of course, your only aim is to become a great writer.
Importance of Speaking and Listening skills in language acquisition
Speaking the language and understanding what another person says is synonymous with knowing that language.
As you continue the language learning journey, you will probably find that speaking and listening are the most essential parts of effective communication.
Improving your listening skills will significantly impact your ability to learn to speak a foreign language beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Any language should be learned like children learn their mother tongues if you want them to be fluent.
As kids, we learned our first and maybe second language by constantly listening, speaking, immersing ourselves in it, and mimicking.
We did not receive any grammar lessons or writing skills from anyone.
This means you must listen (not just read from a book) and speak many foreign words and phrases.
Turn the words into something familiar by associating them with their actual meaning.
The main goal is to develop natural listening and speaking ability.
The bookish knowledge, translation, and reference to the first language should take the backseat.
So, spend time working on your listening and talking. It will bring you great rewards that may surprise you!
How do we implement this language technique?
You must practice the new language with native or fluent speakers while listening to it as it is adequately spoken.
Additionally, you can take advantage of numerous audio and video lessons, podcasts, radio programs, broadcasts, and TV programs.
It is one of the most convenient and accessible ways to boost fluency.
Many foreign languages are spoken very quickly. Thus, you need to make sure you can keep up with the pace and hear it pronounced correctly.
The more you listen to the language, the more your brain will start picking up words from the context and making connections.
Learn the art of listening.
The best way to acquire accurate pronunciation, accents, and intonation of a language is to listen to how a native speaker speaks it.
It is necessary for anyone who wants to be an expert in any language to develop his listening comprehension. Remember, knowing a language means being able to speak it.
Anyone who wants to improve their speaking skills in a second language must prioritize enhancing their listening skills.
Your learning will progress more quickly.
As a result, you will later become more actively involved, verbally and creatively.
6. Incorporate both the natural and systematic language approaches
Don’t think this is complicated or expensive unless you want it to be.
The quickest way to learn a language is by moving to a particular country that speaks the language.
Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to travel abroad.
But can we be like children for a time?
Yes, we can, and should, as another way of acquiring a new language.
Children can learn and understand any language because they respond and immerse themselves in the task when confronted with the challenge of learning a new language.
If we can do the same, we can understand the language naturally.
It is the standard and natural way everyone learns a language.
However, we can also go systematically, which involves teaching in schools, universities, and classrooms under direct instruction.
We all have our preferred mode of learning a language. Still, incorporating both approaches will give you an advantage.
You can learn naturally by investing in a course encouraging immersion or communicating with native individuals.
You can also practice through multimedia files and methodically by registering with a language class, finding a foreign language teacher, and following the guidelines and books.
7. Language learning with the Spaced repetition method
Have you spent hours and hours learning some vocabulary or grammar rules or sounds or phrases, but a few days later, the knowledge was almost gone?
So, here is the solution: Spaced repetition Technique.
Spaced repetition is a scientifically proven technique that incorporates increasing intervals between previously learned and acquired material to retain the maximum information.
In short, frequent repetition helps memory maintain existing knowledge.
A spaced repetition system is a powerful software and a fantastic way to slow down the process of forgetting.
Once you learn something, revising and reviewing the knowledge again at intervals helps you remember a more significant percentage of the material.
It enables you to invest as little time as possible to get the optimum profits from your language learning efforts.
Moreover, It helps you remember many words and phrases.
Repetition works, and saying the words and sentences, even if only in your mind, works better than reading or hearing.
When you make a point of translating your thoughts into your new language, you are always practicing. It is more than just good practice, though.
It is a powerful way to learn a language and start sputtering.
You must practice the previously learned content at increasing intervals to follow the repetitions in language learning.
It can be an hour, then a day, then weekly, then fortnightly, then monthly, then every six months, then yearly.
If you recognize it, you know it very well; otherwise, you must review it more often.
The Anki is a popular SRS. You can also follow the LOCI Method, Link world technique, Mnemonics, and other language learning methods.
8. What about Reading and Writing Skills?
You should be reading and writing a lot.
Due to the rapid development of communication and digitization, you can find plenty of reading material online.
You can read newspapers, blogs, news, and research in your target language.
When you practice speaking, you don’t have the time to rectify your mistakes.
You can’t spend a few minutes on a single sentence because you need the conversation to flow.
Writing and reading are altogether a different ball game.
If you don’t know a particular word or expression, you can instantly look it up to fill in what you’re missing.
Learning the most relevant words is a quick way because you will see where you struggle.
Plus, when learning a language with a pictographic writing system, such as Chinese, Japanese, or Korean.
Visualizing in your mind how a word is written will help immensely.
Writing practice will help you keep track of your progress. It will also help you remember your lessons and build correct memory traces.
This practice will make you a more confident speaker and help you start thinking in a foreign language.
You’ll see significant improvements in your language skills in no time.
9. Get married to a Dictionary
Now, this can be somewhat inconvenient, but it’s also critical. As far as language learning is concerned, a dictionary should always be by your side all the time.
It doesn’t have to be huge. A pocket dictionary, a phrasebook, or a mobile device dictionary will do just fine.
When you are on the road and come across a word you don’t understand, bring out your dictionary and look up the term.
Learn to use the dictionary.
Whether writing, reading or merely listening, studying the dictionary will serve you well.
It will help you widen your vocabulary and increase your confidence in choosing the correct words for particular situations.
Why wait a few hours when you can do it in a few seconds?
It will go a long way towards achieving the higher competence of language proficiency tests.
As you link the place to the phrase, it will become more precise and concrete within your mind.
You can also pick random items and locations and look them up to know how to say them in the new language you are learning.
You will be shocked by how effective this is.
Carry a language dictionary or install an app with you to use whenever your thoughts stop flowing.
10. Watch Movies and listen to Music to improve communication skills
Well, If you enjoy watching movies and TV Series and listening to music, why not take advantage and combine it with studying a language?
Language is a culture, and cultures are best displayed in movies.
TV shows and Movies can help you improve your language if done correctly.
Watching videos in the language you are learning will improve your pronunciation and help you harness your syntax and vocabulary.
Ensure you don’t focus too much on the subtitles when watching language videos.
It is because it can easily distract you from experience at play.
Turn off subtitles, and as you continue, you will be surprised how quickly you can pick some words.
There are many websites, such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney, HBO, Amazon Prime, and many more, where you can watch foreign-language movies.
Who doesn’t enjoy listening to good music?
Music stimulates your brain functions to improve your memory capacity, ability to focus, and attention span.
Various studies have shown that listening to music in the target language enhances your listening skills and pronunciation and increases your vocabulary.
You’ll also learn many expressions, varieties, local dialects, and slang.
Watching Movies and Music in foreign languages is relaxing and entertaining. They’ll also enhance your language skills and, of course, your cultural understanding and appreciation.
You can even make a problematic situation fun when you watch in a group because everyone will try to deduce the spoken words.
Final thought (Conclusion)
Creating time is the most critical strategy for learning a new language. The amount of time you dedicate to it will largely determine your success.
Once you have the time, any other method and strategy can work for you. You need to apply proven language learning methods and techniques.
You can apply several language learning methods. These ten are time-tested, tried, and trusted techniques, approaches, and strategies.
Try all of them out and see what works for you! You are surely going to make progress.
Do you have a question or suggestion? Feel free to ask and leave a comment below.
Hi Sir, Good article! many advice to learn a foreign language efficiently. I can add something: learning must be a pleasure and not a constraint.
True!
My English is not so good but I want to do a career in foreign language then what I do?
You can definitely learn a new language without having a good command over the English language. Lower Intermediate level English is fine.
Hello sir I am preparing for jnu entrance exam for foreign language. can you elaborate me how can I start or which book I read and how can I improve my English also.
You can study any book that will cover the syllabus. Also, you have to focus on target region/countries as per chosen cluster for BA entrance. I don’t have any particular book in mind. You can try few books available online or at bookstore.
Hello sir, i am in final year of my graduation from delhi university in b.com honors. I am also pursuing advanced diploma from DU. What are the best institutions to pursue masters in German language. What are the benefits to do masters in German language. Kindly suggest.
Are you doing Advanced Diploma in German? If your German is good enough something like Goethe-Zertifikat B2, you can appear for entrance test for MA in German at JNU or DU.
There are several Universities like BHU, EFLU, Pune University, Visva Bharati, Mumbai University with MA in German program. After master degree, you can make career as translator and interpreter, or any decent job in any MNC or you can also continue for Ph.D. to become Assistant professor in any University.