Mastering a New Tongue: Effective Steps to Language Acquisition

Learning a language is a complex, time-intensive task that requires dedication, persistence, and hard work. What you might not know is that there are strategies that can help you study more effectively, so that you make the most of your time and energy. An effective study plan will maximize input, output, and review & feedback.

The Building Blocks: Input, Output, and Review & Feedback

These three elements are the building blocks of your language practice, and an effective study plan will maximize all three.

Input: Immersing Yourself in the Language

Since one of the main components of language learning is input, look for ways to expose yourself to as much of the language you’re learning as possible. But this doesn’t mean reading more textbooks (unless your textbook is a fascinating read that you’re excited about).

Newspaper articles, magazines, & blogs: Many of these are freely available online, and once you’ve tried reading them a few times, it’s easy to translate the key parts to check your understanding.
Books: Children’s picture books and books you’ve read before in your native language are easy options for intermediate/advanced beginners. Reading novels, books of history and philosophy from the cultures not only gives you more exposure to the language, I would also include serious study of geography and topics like social science. Knowing about the region can help you understand a lot about how the language developed, and understanding issues related to psychographics can help you fall in love with certain matters of grammar. When you immerse yourself in the culture and its history, you’ll have more things to talk about with native speakers. This point is especially important if you’re introverted or generally shy.
TV shows and movies: Try watching them without subtitles the first time, starting in ~15 minute segments. Another great option is to watch first without any subtitles, then with subtitles in the language you’re learning, and then finally with subtitles in your native language if you need them.
Songs: Music, especially popular songs, can be especially well suited to language practice, since you’re likely to memorize the ones you enjoy. Ask a teacher or native speaker for recommendations if you’re struggling to find good examples. Sing songs in the language you’re learning. You need to get the words into the muscle memory of your mouth and your mind.
Podcasts and audio books: There are a lot of options for all sorts of languages, and as a bonus you’ll often get exposure to local news and cultural topics. Also, consider tweaking some of your media settings to “bump up” your casual language exposure. Slow it down: If you’re listening to a podcast or audio book, try slowing down the speed just a bit: 0.75x is a common option, and the slowed-down audio still doesn’t sound too strange. Combine your senses: In many cases, you can combine types of input to help create a more learning environment: reading and listening to a text at the same time can help you improve your comprehension. For example, for TV shows and movies, turn on subtitles in the same language. It’s also important to immerse yourself in the rhythms of the language.
Get hooked: To make this strategy as effective as possible, find a source that you really enjoy, and commit to experiencing it only in the language you’re learning. Having a go-to program that you love will help keep you motivated.
Sensible Input: There are a number of ways to keep increasing your sensible input. Be sure to bring a picture-based magazine. Learn to ask, “What is that?” and keep pointing at pictures. When you find vocabulary and phrases you want to learn, write them down and memorize them. It’s fun and easy to create your own mnemonic devices on flash cards. You can do this by just reading or by creating your own translations as you go.

Output: Putting Your Knowledge to the Test

Learning a new language involves listening, speaking, reading, writing, sometimes even a new alphabet and writing format. Both writing and speaking are very important for learning a language. Please don’t wait to get started.

Review & Feedback: Learning from Mistakes

Sometimes, the biggest challenge to language learning is overcoming our own fears: fear of making a mistake, of saying the wrong thing, of embarrassing yourself, of not being able to find the right word, and so on. The thing is, you NEED to make those mistakes. One of the key principles of language learning is all about making errors and then learning from them: this is what review & feedback means. Plus, if you’re not willing to make errors, then the amount of language you produce (your output) goes way down. So what do you do? In part, you may need to push yourself to get comfortable with making errors. For example, consider finding a study partner who is at your level of language skill.

Effective Study Strategies

Studying a new language involves learning a LOT of material, so you’ll want to use your study time as effectively as possible.

Distributed Practice: Spacing Out Your Study Sessions

According to research in educational and cognitive psychology, one of the most effective learning strategies is distributed practice. For example, let’s imagine you have a list of vocabulary words to learn. Today is Sunday, and the vocab quiz is on Friday. If you look at the total time spent studying, all four options are exactly the same. But research suggests that option C is the most effective way to manage your time: instead of studying the vocabulary all at once, you’ve spread out the time into several shorter sessions, and you’ve also increased the amount of time between study sessions.

Memory Enhancement: Techniques and Considerations

Memory is a critical part of any kind of studying, and effective memorization is strongly correlated with success in foreign language classes. But if you’re not “good at” memorizing things, don’t despair! There’s a considerable amount of research on how memory works, as well as a wide range of strategies for improving memory. For example, scientific experiments show that our short-term memory can only hold about 7 pieces of new information at once. So if you’re working on a long list of new vocabulary words, start by breaking it up into smaller chunks, and study one shorter section at a time. Additionally, research also suggests that recall-based study methods are most effective. The best way to start working on your memory is to build on the techniques that you already know work for you. For example, if associating a word with a picture is effective for you, then you should incorporate images into your vocabulary practice.

Protecting Your Memory: Avoiding Common Pitfalls

In addition to figuring out which memorization techniques work best for you, it’s also important to actively protect your memory. For example, experiencing a strong emotion has been shown to sharply decrease the ability to memorize unrelated content.

Information overload: Studying for hours at a time might seem like a great idea, but it’s actually a really ineffective use of time.
Fatigue: The more tired you are, the less effective your memory is.
Multitasking: As you may have noticed, all of these “memory killers” are also things that disrupt focus. Multi-tasking is probably the most common source of distraction. In fact, here’s a great rule of thumb for protecting your memory: if you’re not supposed to do it while driving, then you shouldn’t do it while studying.

Learning to use memory techniques for language learning well is one of the best ways to rapidly accelerate your practice. Use the Memory Palace technique.

Read also: Communication Skills

Vocabulary Acquisition: Prioritizing Words

Want to know a secret? The more vocabulary you know, the more quickly you can grow your language skills. The reason is simple: understanding more words directly translates into more input, producing more words means more output, and more output means more opportunity for feedback. Additionally, when you’re interacting with native speakers, vocabulary is more beneficial to communication than grammar is. Of course, in order to become fully fluent in your new language, eventually you will need strong grammar skills. But once again, this is something that having a strong, well-developed vocabulary will help with.

DISCLAIMER: This does NOT mean that grammar is unimportant. Without grammar, you won’t know how to use your vocabulary, since grammar tells you how to combine words into sentences.

Building Your Word Bank: Collecting and Organizing Vocabulary

A key part of learning a new language involves training your ear. Unlike written language, spoken language doesn’t have the same context clues that help you decipher and separate out words. However, even beginning language learners can benefit from something called conversational shadowing. Basically, this means repeating a conversation word-for-word, even when you don’t know what all of the words mean. This helps you get used to the rhythm and patterns of the language, as well as learn to identify individual words and phrases from longer chunks of spoken language. After you’ve listened to the clip once, shadow the conversation in short sections (think ~20-30 seconds).

Since expanding your vocabulary is so important, identifying new words is a big priority. Basically, you need to collect words: any time you encounter a new word, you want to capture it by recording it in some way. The key point is to capture the word as quickly and easily as possible. Whatever your recording system is (notebook, phone, voice memo, etc), it’s only the first part of the collection process. Next, you’ll need to review each of the words you’ve recorded. This is something you’ll do on a regular basis, so that you can actually use the words you’ve recorded. Depending on how many new words you’re collecting, it might be every day, every few days, or once a week. To make this process as effective as possible, you also want to have some sort of system that helps you record and organize your word collection. If you like paper-based methods, then flashcards can be easily organized in index card boxes, though you might want to include some alphabetical divider tabs to help yourself stay organized. However, digital tools are particularly helpful with this kind of information, and there are tons of apps that can help you organize a large vocabulary collection. Finally, you also want to make sure to use your word collection! Not only do you need to learn new words once you add them, you’ll also need regular review of old words to maintain your vocabulary. This is another place where digital tools shine, since it’s easy to access the entire collection at any time, making it easier to study and review on a regular basis.

Capture new words. Listen for them in class, seek them out in conversations, find them in your “authentic sources,” etc.
Review your new words.
Record and organize your collection.
Use your words!

If you’re struggling to find new words to collect-or if you feel overwhelmed by the number of words you could collect-then try working “backwards.” Instead of looking for new words in the language you’re learning, think about the gaps in your vocabulary. For example, think about the topics you frequently discuss in your native language. Do you know how to talk about those things in the language you’re learning? If you’re in a foreign language class, you can use the same word collection system to help you learn and review assigned vocabulary. Consider color-coding or tagging words that are class-related if you want to give those words extra attention. Making your own lists of words and phrases to learn is incredibly important. You’ll move along so much faster if you let yourself be informed by word lists, but also always take care to build your own. When learning German, my favorite way to produce my own custom lists was to read interviews with musicians. They use so many interesting words and turns-of-phrase. Likewise in Mandarin, I’ve learned a lot from the hip hop scene. These are compilations of words that are used the most often in any given language. And they definitely can be useful. In some cases, they will accelerate how quickly you can get started learning the language. Because no maker of such lists can know what contexts you’ll find yourself in or what you’re going to want to talk about.

Read also: UCLA's Tongva Steps

Flashcards: A Time-Tested Tool

Flashcards are one of the most common tools that language learners use. There is a good reason for this: they’re easily portable, they’re excellent for learning short pieces of information (like new words), and used correctly they’re a great recall-based study strategy. However, flashcards are not without problems. For example, it’s far too easy to devote excessive time to making elaborately detailed flashcards, and then spend comparatively little time actually using them! The more time you spend making flashcards, the less time you spend using them…but if you don’t make flashcards, then you don’t have any to use. The point behind this paradox is that you want to minimize the time and effort you put into the flashcard set-up process. Similarly, you also want to minimize the volume of information you put on each flashcard. Flashcards should not be pages of notes in a smaller format, especially when using them for vocabulary. Instead, each card should have just enough information on it to test your memory. Instead of containing many details, a good flashcard will serve as a “cue” that triggers your memory.

Another common flashcard issue is that they promote rote memorization, so that information is divorced from context. But in real life, you’ll be using your vocabulary in a wide range of contexts. One example of this is the “translation” phenomenon: instead of learning to associate new words with their meanings, they become associated with the word in your native language. If you’re always translating word-for-word in your head, then it takes much longer to understand and interact. Example: Imagine a beginning student (and native English speaker) learns that the Arabic word for door is “bab” (باب). You can also combine these types to make different hybrid-style flashcards. Once again, don’t try to make elaborate, perfect flashcards-just something that will push you to associate words with meanings, instead of just their translations. Additionally, make sure to practice using both sides of the flashcards as cues. You can also avoid the pitfalls of rote memorization by making sure to practice using the words in context. For example, in addition to testing yourself with each card, follow that up by using the word in a sentence. This is particularly good for words you’ve already learned and are now reviewing. You can also turn this into a game, where you make up “mad-lib” style sentences by randomly drawing cards and combining them. Ultimately, flashcards are just a tool, albeit one that is ideally suited to vocabulary practice. And as with any kind of practice, the more time you put in, better your results will be: flashcards work best when used frequently and consistently. If you want to get the most out of your flashcards, turn using them into a regular habit.

Small sets, many reps: To improve memorization when practicing new words, create sets of 7 flashcards or less and practice each set several times before moving on to the next one.
Increase portability: Make sure you take full advantage of the portable nature of flashcards. If you’re using paper, then consider using a binder ring and hole punch to keep small sets together. You might also use smaller cards: since you’ll be making simple cards (minimalism!), you could probably cut a regular 3”x5” index card into halves (or even quarters) and still have more than enough room! Even if you use full-sized paper cards, you increase portability by being selective in the number you take with you. Remember, you want to space out your sets and reps, so it isn’t necessary to carry all your cards with you all the time.
Wasted’ time: Since flashcards are so portable, they’re a great way to turn “wasted” time into useful time. How much time do you spend riding the bus? How about stuck in line at the grocery store, or waiting for an appointment at Campus Health?
Create a routine: Habits are powerful. Once you’ve established a behavior pattern, you find yourself doing it without thinking about it. So think about how you can create a daily routine for using your flashcards. Finding and using “wasted” time is a good start, especially if you have a daily bus commute. What about taking 5 minutes every morning to do vocabulary review while you drink your coffee? Or making it your first “after-dinner to do” once you’ve finished eating?
Periodic review: Once you’ve learned new words, you’re not done with those flashcards-instead, use them to keep your vocabulary strong. Each week, randomly select a few words to review.

Cultivating the Right Mindset

Learning a new language is a lot of work, but that’s not what motivated you to start studying it in the first place, right? Here’s the thing: whenever you can do something that connects you back with the reasons that motiv…

Setting Achievable Goals

Set a micro‑goal (e.g. Once you complete that simple goal, you set another goal. But to give you some examples, I played in a band at the time. A2 was passed quite easily. But it was crafting my own missions that got me fluent. For example, I took a phonology course for that when I first started learning German. Goals are important. Let’s say your goal is to learn 50 new words by the end of the week. Great! That’s perfectly realistic. For example, let’s say you’ve developed a Memory Palace strategy and you’ve spent some time gathering the words you want to memorize. This is a little system that drives you towards completing the goal. You might think even something as tight as this set of steps will take a long time. But nothing could be further from the truth. Have you learned only one word so far? No problem. Or do you have only a few hundred words? The principle is the same. Use a journal to set your goals.

Time Management and Consistency

People think you have to spend five to six hours a day while learning a language. This just isn’t true. That said, if you’re strategic about it, you can learn a lot in 15-30 minutes a day. Then, the next morning, you can memorize the new vocabulary you’ve gathered from the day before. Also, vary the routine. It’s also important to schedule breaks. The trick is making sure you don’t take off too long and then struggle to get back on the horse. Make sure your language learning sessions with speaking partners are booked in advance. If you still struggle with developing a personal schedule for language learning, give mind mapping for project planning and scheduling a try.

Embrace Mistakes and Mindfulness

A lot of people get hung up on little things when learning languages. Develop the ability to laugh at yourself. If you struggle with self criticism, learn these Two Easily Remembered Questions That Silence Negative Thoughts. And rest assured, the kind of mindfulness that I’m suggesting you adopt has been formally studied for foreign language learners. Another part of mindfulness involves how you manage your teachers and speaking partners. When I submit writing to language teachers, I ask them to please point out just three errors. But if you meet people who can’t help you or make the journey too serious and destroy all the fun, find someone else. First, just accept that some risk is involved. This circles back to mindset, particularly managing your expectations. Personally, I treat it all as research and don’t get emotionally involved. In fact, I allow myself to be open to revisiting any resource I’ve purchased again in the future, because we as humans can be tremendously fickle. It might not be that the book or course is bad.

Choosing the Right Resources

A subset of choosing the best materials for learning a language is to limit the amount of sources. There is an overwhelming amount of language learning material to choose from. Instead, I suggest you take a tip I’ve benefited from. By sticking to limits like these, we give ourselves ample opportunity to experience the levels of processing effect while not overwhelming ourselves with materials. Again, whether you use rote or mnemonics, you might find you acquire materials that simply don’t work. But overall, you can limit this problem in the first place my limiting how many language learning guides you bring into your learning life in the first place. That way, time will erase any mistakes and the materials you learn from will pay off soon. When I was learning Chinese, for example, I followed my own advice. Need a source for good language learning teachers online?

Additional Practice and Immersion Techniques

These activities can be broken down into what I like to call The Big 5 Of Language Learning. It’s the holistic combination of all them that matters in the end.

Pronunciation Perfection

Pronunciation has always been my biggest struggle when learning languages. It could be genetics. In brief, this technique is the audio version of using flash cards. Using recording software like Audacity, you record a native speaker speaking a word or phrase. Next, you record yourself speaking it on a separate track. Since a good audio recorder will let you see the sound waves, you can try to make your voice match certain characteristics visually. The time investment on this technique is admittedly intense. Another way to memorize pronunciation is to learn the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). The “i” is a symbol that indicates a long “e” vowel sound. Why a coffee cup? The other way to remember pronunciation is to simply speak and listen as much as possible. It’s also useful to learn the International Phonetic Alphabet.

Speaking Practice

Talk to yourself as you’re walking down the street. Tell other people about the phrases you’ve learned and repeat them.

Reading Widely

Once you can read the language of the alphabet you’re dealing with, there are effective ways to combine listening and reading.

Writing Practice

You can also get great writing practice at the same time you speak, by repeating what you put on the page verbally either before or after putting it down on paper.

Cultural Immersion

Reading novels, books of history and philosophy from the cultures not only gives you more exposure to the language. I would also include serious study of geography and topics like social science. Knowing about the region can help you understand a lot about how the language developed, and understanding issues related to psychographics can help you fall in love with certain matters of grammar. When you immerse yourself in the culture and its history, you’ll have more things to talk about with native speakers. This point is especially important if you’re introverted or generally shy.

Navigating Common Misconceptions

Monolingual Focus

It’s best to focus on one language at a time, however. Many languages have words that are the same or very similar. In Spanish, for example, you’ll find thousands of words that are very close in sound and meaning to their English equivalents. However, there are also a number of false cognates that mean very different things. It’s normal to want to be a polyglot, or someone who speaks 3-5 languages well. And then you can do cool things like what my friend Benny Lewis calls “laddering.” This technique is when you pick a textbook or course in a language you’ve already learned to start covering the next one. One exception to this suggestion that some people find useful is to spend some time learning Esperanto. The reasoning here suggests that Esperanto is especially suited to helping learners understand more about how different languages work. Frankly, I’m not convinced you have to become a grammarian or linguist in order to become fluent in a language. But if you’re still stuck, it might be worth looking into Esperanto for these reasons. Or, you could look at a root language to see if it helps wake up your brain. For example, a small amount of time learning Latin can open up Spanish or Italian for you to an incredible degree. However, at the end of the day, the old saying that the hunter who chases two rabbits rarely catches either stands up here. Split focus usually slows progress.

The Myth of Travel as a Necessity

I’ve been lucky and was able to spend years of my life in Germany. But I didn’t have the luxury of living in China when I first started learning the language. And it was absolutely not necessary. In fact, after less than 3 months of studying the language, my time in the country was so distracting, I didn’t have time to study it at all. Instead, use the tips on this page to create proper goals and the effective systems that will place you in the company of your target language each and every day. Then, when you do get to travel, you can relax and focus on speaking and understanding much more around you. Often those rules are useful in language learning classes. Not at all. In fact, sometimes traveling to learn a language can be a distraction.

The Illusion of Childhood Advantage

A lot of people think that kids have some special advantage when it comes to learning a language. You really just need to bring everything you know about being a mature and responsible adult to the process of learning a language.

The Role of Formal Instruction

Strictly speaking, taking a course isn’t necessary. If you take a course, make sure the teacher uses the target language primarily. As a rule of thumb, I like to give new speaking partners 2-3 sessions before deciding if they are a fit or not. With all of these learning activities, you need to use your judgment. If you go for something too advanced, you’ll just get frustrated. By the same token, if you don’t challenge yourself, you’ll quickly get bored. Get out of your comfort zone.

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