How to Establish a Successful Language Learning Routine (+ Examples)
Discover the secret to building a successful language learning routine. As someone who has been through the ups and downs of language learning, I understand why routines can easily fall by the wayside. In this post, I'll explore the common pitfalls that cause people to give up on their language goals, and provide you with 5 key elements that should be part of every effective routine. Plus, I'll share the best language learning resources to help you stay committed, and even give you a peek at my own personal routine. Don't let language learning overwhelm you – read our blog to find out how easy it can be!
Are you one of the many language learners who have attempted to build a language learning routine, but have found yourself falling off the wagon?
If you’re wondering “What’s the secret to learning a language once and for all?”, I’ve got your back.
A lot of language learners struggle because they get trapped in apps or stuck in complicated study plans. Today, let’s dig into where you might be getting stuck and talk through some easy, practical solutions that will help you build an effective language learning routine.
Why do most attempts at building a language learning routine fail?
If you started learning your language full of enthusiasm and excitement and found that it’s not lasted, you are not alone. Getting a consistent language routine up and running can be tricky. Here are some common reasons I’ve seen for running out of steam in your language studies.
Letting Language Learning Apps Run the Show
There's no shortage of language learning apps out there, and I am not here to tell you that you need to throw them all out. Apps are incredibly useful for language learners…but there’s a but!
Be careful with how you’re structuring your routines around these apps. Many of them use gamification and other features to keep you coming back. This is great for keeping a habit going…but it’s the habit of using one app, not of building your new language into your life.
Read more here about how to select a good language learning app
Read more here about how to get the most out of Duolingo
My tip for learning languages with apps is to use them as one of your guides, but make sure you have at least 3 other touch points with your target language every week through your language habit system.
Failing to Set Meaningful Language Goals
Without clear goals, it's easy to lose motivation and direction. And you know…”I want to be fluent” or “I just want to talk to people” are not very clear goals when it comes down to it.
Ask yourself what you want to achieve in a specific time period to make the goal a lot more realistic - this will help you build that sustainable language learning routine. Some fun ideas might include calling your grandma for a chat in her native language, singing a song, or posting your first Instagram post.
Read more about how to set meaningful language learning goals here
Overly High Expectations
One of the biggest problems I see come up again and again for language learners is the belief that you can “become fluent” within a very short time.
It’s absolutely possible for you to improve a LOT in even just a month. But that won’t mean you’re done in language learning. The relaxed conversation stage typically takes a few years. Instead of asking yourself why you’re always falling short, take the long view on this one and, like Bon Jovi, find the fun in being halfway there.
Boring Language Study and Exercises
Your memories of languages at school might be all about boring grammar drills and snoozing through tedious lessons. But hey! Now that you’re in charge of learning, you get to make the rules. In my system for learning languages, the focus is never on hard work. Your brain works better when you’re having fun, so build your new language learning routine with creative ideas, four core skills, and inspiring conversations.
Now we’ve covered some of the reasons your language routine might run out of steam, let’s focus on getting things set up the right way for you!
5 Essential Things Every Language Learning Routine Needs
You’re setting up your language learning routine so you can have long-term success. Here are the 5 key elements that will make life a lot easier for you:
Well-Organised Resources
You’ll be using apps, tools, books, courses, teachers, conversation partners, and probably a whole bunch more as you learn your language. The key is not to stick to the smallest number possible, but to make sure you organise the resources in a super smart way.
No one’s going to be able to tell you exactly which language course or book is the best one for you, because no one’s life and brain are quite like yours! So feel free to give things a try, and allow yourself to cut what doesn’t deliver.
A Balanced Approach to Consistency and Flexibility
You absolutely want to make sure that you can consistently show up in your language learning routine. This might mean scheduling regular study time, booking lessons every week, or simply sticking to a free interpretation of daily contact. While you can’t learn a language just by completing a Duolingo level now and then, it’s still not necessary to become a language robot. 🤖
A Way to Track Your Progress
Once you’re past the exciting first few weeks and months of learning a language, you might start coming into something learners call the intermediate plateau, where it starts to feel like your hard work isn’t paying off as much anymore. This is where “invisible progress” can kill your motivation, so don’t let that happen!
Tracking your progress can be super easy, and it’s the key to success in language learning. The easiest way? Use a journal or help yourself to one of the readymade trackers in my course, the Language Habit System.
Someone to Talk To
If you want to learn a language, it’s because on some level your dream is to communicate more with people. Whether your ultimate goal is travel, career success, living abroad, or just to follow your language passions, my advice to you is to find three types of people:
A practice partner, or someone else to talk to (or sign with or write to)
A mentor, for example a language coach
A few friends or peers who are also learning languages, for example through a language exchange
The more connected you feel to other people while you’re learning languages, the easier you will find it in the long run.
Study Variety
As mentioned above, finding fun resources is key to your success in language learning. Allow yourself to explore everything you like, everything you already do in your life, through the lens of your new language. Of course, TV shows are an easy one to try. How can you take it further? Build activities like finding great playlists to celebrating fun national holidays into your routine so you can hit those goals every day.
My Favourite Resources for Sticking to a Language Learning Routine
Now that you know the essential things your language learning routine needs, I wanted to introduce you to a few of the resources I always come back to when learning languages.
Language Learning Podcasts and Audio Courses
When I first start out with a new language, pronunciation is very important to me. That’s why I focus a lot on listening, and making sure I can take notes and understand how each sound is built. With more language progress, podcasts become a great source of stories and perspectives, and they’re available in dozens of languages.
🎧 Here are my podcast recommendations for learning German, learning French, learning Italian, and learning Spanish.
Language Learning Apps
While I don’t let my apps run the show, they can still be a useful tool for staying consistent with learning my new languages. The apps I use vary depending on the languages I learn. When learning Welsh, my go to is Ap Geriaduron, a dictionary app for my phone, and I also enjoy a bit of Memrise.
My Language Study Journal
I find that handwriting and processing my thoughts with pen and paper is an absolute must-have when I’m learning languages. From French to Chinese, and Welsh to Russian, every language I have ever learnt has been documented in a notebook. The benefits? I get to keep everything organised, tracked, and make sense of complex rules in my own way.
Want to find out more about how to use my strategies for yourself? Click here to discover my mini course, Write Your Way to Fluency, for just US $9.
Language Tutors and Exchange Partners
I usually go to italki (affiliate link) or LanguaTalk (affiliate link) to connect with a teacher who will help me bring my new languages to life. Over the long-term, I also set up exchanges with fluent friends, and practice my speaking and listening skills with people I find in my own network as a language coach.
The Language Habit System
I first created the Language Habit System in 2016 and I still use this method for my own language learning routine. This step-by-step guide to setting great language learning goals, tracking the actions that matter, and figuring out where to go next, is the heart of how I stay on track. The 3 key steps are simple: Plan - Track - Review. I highly recommend you check out the Language Habit System for yourself - it’s been tried and loved by hundreds of language learners!
A Real-Life Example of My Own Language Learning Routine
At this point, we’ve got the essential steps in place and you’re on your way to building that successful language learning routine. At this point, I’ve got a few examples to share from my own approach. But remember, your routine will probably look different and that’s okay! This is just for inspiration.
First, I think about what my language learning goals are. If I’m learning multiple languages, it’s important for me to select my priorities before I go about aiming too high and burning out.
I don’t set a dedicated amount of time to study every single day, but I do have a check-in with myself about making “daily contact” with my target language. My focus is also on making sure I keep each core skill in balance (these are covered in this free training), so that means I do not do the same activity every day.
Read my super popular guide to the core skills, Fluency Made Achievable
A few of my key activities in my target languages are
Listening to my favourite radio shows or watching some easy TV (I like Yabla (affiliate link) for this)
Texting my friends or looking up a few tweets in my target language
Reading a few pages in one of my easy reader books
Going to online classes or language exchange sessions
Making notes in my study journal
Sometimes, I get more organised and schedule extra study sessions in advance..but not all the time. My goals are small and tangible right now because that's how I want them. They may be things like "revise yesterday's vocab list" or "make notes for chapter 4". What I'm trying to tell you here is that I do not feel guilty about picking my own language pace and neither should you.
Well, unless you're in formal education and have an exam tomorrow.
You’re on the way to a great language learning routine!
So that’s a lot of great advice for you today! Building your successful routine might not be instant, but it doesn’t have to be a chore either!
If you can build in that balance of consistency and flexibility, great goals, and even better organisation, you’ll be on your way.
Avoid getting trapped in language learning apps and set realistic expectations for your progress. Remember to make your language learning routine fun and engaging, and connect with others who share your passion for language.
By incorporating these elements and using the resources I’ve recommended for you above, I know that you can achieve all your fluency goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you create a language learning routine?
It takes a little bit of self-knowledge, a great study system, and some guidance through great resources and mentors. The key to language learning is to think of it as a habit that you’re building for the long-term, so it’s important to find the methods that work best for you as an individual.
How many hours should I study a language a day?
Great question, and the answer depends on how fast you need to achieve your language learning goals. I have certainly studied languages for many hours a day at different times in my life. Usually this was when I was in full-time education and learning languages was my job. Now that I am learning languages more as a hobby, I don’t have the time to dedicate many hours a day. This means the progress is slower, but it is still progress!
How do I write a self study plan?
Start by getting clear on your goals, then break those down into specific actions that you want to take so that you can reach those goals. You should allow some space to organise your resources, track your progress, and also review how you are getting on.
Want all of this ready to go in easy worksheets? Then get the Language Habit System. You’ll love it.
Can Duolingo make you fluent?
If you only ever practiced your languages with Duolingo, you would become very good at Duolingo. To become flexible enough to understand real conversations and speak with people, I recommend building a more robust study routine.
Can you learn 2 languages at once?
Yes! You can learn even more languages at the same time, and it can be a lot of fun to do this! Make sure that you match your time and energy to the language learning goals. Here are more tips for learning multiple languages at the same time.
What is the most effective way to learn a language?
Personally, I like learning independently because it allows me to make time for my target language and go at the pace that is right for me. Of course I also buy course books and hire tutors, but I like to be in charge of my learning. It is the best way to bring in my love for the language that I am learning, and to enjoy the process.
The Best Ways to Memorize Vocabulary in a Foreign Language
When it comes to language learning, vocabulary is a different kind of monster. Instead of jumping out to scare you (like grammar), it hides until you figure out the right trick to help you learn. The most frustrating part is that what works for someone else might not work as well for you.
But if that’s the case, what can you do to find a method that truly helps you memorize new vocabulary in a foreign language? In this article, I’m sharing my best language learning tips and ideas…plus a brand new FREEBIE so click through to find out more.
Do any of these describe your relationship with vocabulary?
* I keep forgetting new words.
* I don’t like using lists, flashcards, etc.
* I feel like I’m not making progress because I don’t know enough words.
When it comes to language learning, vocabulary is a different kind of monster. Instead of jumping out to scare you (like grammar), it hides until you figure out the right trick to help you learn. The most frustrating part is that what works for someone else might not work as well for you.
But if that’s the case, what can you do to find a method that truly helps you learn new vocabulary?
Why are you learning?
All language learners have a reason for why they’re learning a language in the first place, usually requirement and/or enjoyment.
But what’s your motivation for learning a particular set of vocabulary words?
Maybe you’re still working on the basics or using a list of words to learn from a textbook or an app. Either way, it’s not the most exciting material. In some cases, it might not even seem useful.
One of the benefits of learning as an adult is that you can choose exactly what you want to learn next. You can focus on vocab for more interesting topics or ignore words you’ll probably never use. Even if you’re having trouble learning essentials like numbers or directions, you can put them in a context that’s important to you.
Give Your Vocab Meaning Any Way You Can
You might not care about a list of numbers in a textbook. But you do want to know how to say dates and times, and knowing numbers can also save you money.
A snapshot from my old life, representing my university on the road in Kazan.
Back when I was a regular business traveller, I spent a good amount of time in Kazakhstan and Russia. These are not places where a regular taxi will give you the best deal. Most people just stand at the side of the road, flag down a car, and haggle for the cost of a ride.
I’m a people person and ever curious about everyone’s cars, so for me this sounded like heaven! The only problem was that I spoke no Russian at all.
After several half-bungled negotiations ("Holiday Inn...Ulitsa Shevchenko! Hundred Tenge??") and some support from local colleagues, I picked up the expression “tri sti” for 300.
From then on, every single ride in Kazakhstan AND Russia had to cost me 300 of whatever their local currency was. I simply couldn’t agree on a different amount! 😄In Kazakhstan this may have been driving a bargain...in Russia I was more like their best paying customer, every single time.
After a few months of this, I did start picking up Russian and the motivation to learn numbers was top of my list.
What’s your motivation to learn these words?
How can you see yourself using them? Most textbooks will at least give some sample dialogues, but it’s just WAY cooler to say your own birthday in your new language.
In addition to making note of your motivation, it helps to understand learning vocabulary as a process or a system that includes three stages:
1. Growing vocabulary (figuring out what words you need or want to learn, selecting your sources, and taking good notes)
1. Memorizing vocabulary (strategies to make your words stickier so you don’t forget them easily)
1. Revising or reviewing vocabulary (using new words or testing yourself regularly so that they become anchored in your long-term memory)
Not sure what you should learn?
Before you even start trying to memorize new words, you have to figure out which ones you should try to learn. Once you’ve covered basics like greetings, colors, directions, etc., it’s easy to feel a little unsure about where to go next.
There are a few different options you can choose to start feeling more in-control of your vocabulary learning:
Download My Topic List for Beginners
Using a list that is already created can save you quite a bit of time when you're busy. It's perfect for you right at the start of learning a new language.
My vocabulary checklist for beginners is different from most lists because it gives you topics and skills. This is more useful than just a list of words, and it will help you create a solid foundation without getting bored.
Create your own list of words
What do you want to talk about in your target language?
Consider your interests and hobbies as well as things you’d usually talk to your friends or coworkers about. Consider both individual words and expressions.
One great way to go about this is to choose a topic and do a mind map or create a quick list of every word or expression you can think of that relates to your topic. Then, edit your list and translate the words into your target language.
If you want to add on more vocab to your list, try searching social media with your translated words as well.
Learn more vocabulary from what you enjoy
You can also choose to create a list based on the things you watch, read, and listen to in your target language.
Here are a two great apps that help you understand and find resources in your target language:
Lingq for books, articles, videos, and podcasts with transcripts
Yabla for native videos designed to work for language learners
Learn more about Yabla with this full review
Pay attention when you listen or read something in your target language. Is there a word that keeps coming up when you listen to songs or watch your favourite tv series? Put it on your list. Do you have a book you’d like to read in your target language? Go through and write down all the words you don’t know to start learning them.
Most importantly, remember that you should always have a solid system for compiling new words and expressions.
Switch up your language learning methods
Even if you’ve got a great list of words to learn, it doesn’t help if you can’t remember them. This is especially true for abstract vocabulary. You can’t see the word for "brave", so how are you supposed to remember it in another language?
Luckily, there are 4 different methods that can help you learn both the simple words and the more difficult ones.
The Post-it Method
For words like "coffee" and “door”, it’s easy to write the word in your target language onto a post-it note and stick it on the actual object.
But what do you do for those abstract words?
You can still write them on post-its, but you’ll have to get a little creative on where you place them. Think of quirky places that have some sort of connection to the idea. For instance, you might decide to put a post-it with the translation for "awake" on your coffee cup.
As a bonus, the added creativity involved in connecting the abstract concept to the object will help you remember even more as you have to spend time contemplating the word.
The Language Play Method
In addition to associating abstract words with an object, you can also use the linguistic characteristics of the word you’re trying to remember. Link the word you’re trying to learn with similar sounds or spellings or take the time to look into where it came from.
Quick tip: Google the word you’re learning and "etymology" together, and you’ll find out more about its history.
You can use rhyme or look at the cognates of a word, or the parts of a word that borrow or share origins with another language you already know.
Chunks of Language
In this method, also called "chunking", the idea is to study chunks of language rather than individual words. That might mean choosing to learn short sentences or phrases, such as “I’m so hungry” or “Where is the bathroom?”
This can be even more helpful if you’re trying to learn abstract words because you can connect those words to a sentence you might actually use or remember.
Examples of the concept in music and art
Have you ever learned a new word only to suddenly see or hear it everywhere you go? If so, it probably made you more likely to remember the word later on.
Seeking out examples in music, movies, or even advertisements can help reinforce words that might otherwise slip your mind.
Final Tips to Keep in Mind
Don’t beat yourself up for forgetting something.
The leading scientific theory is that humans tend to halve their memory of newly learned knowledge in a matter of days or weeks unless they consciously review the learned material. This is known as the forgetting curve.
In other words, you simply can’t expect to remember everything all the time. Even native speakers forget words in their native language from time to time.
By the way, if you're interested in my best tips for learning grammar (and why memorizing is NOT among them), don't miss this blog article full of grammar boosts.
Remember to continue reviewing and revising your vocab list.
You might find that some words still give you trouble, so you need to make use of a few different methods if you want to learn them. If there are words that you find difficult to remember, it is okay to also decide that some of the words on your list might not be as important as you thought.
True fact: If a word is important enough, it will make sure that you remember it!
Make sure to apply what you’re learning.
You should always make a conscious effort to use a few new words outside of dedicated study sessions. This might mean actively using new words in conversation, using your vocabulary list to search social media or find new hashtags to follow, or looking for news articles about related topics.
Above all, don’t worry about your level when you’re trying to learn vocab. As long as you’ve got a handle on the basics using new words in sentences and questions, you can learn any vocabulary words you want. After all, you never stop learning new words.
Make a Living Online With These 13 Online Language Teaching Tools
Have you thought about teaching languages online before?
f you’re ready to set up your own online language teaching business, here are the tools that we think you absolutely need to start your business.
If the start of the 2020s has taught the world anything besides the importance of vaccinations, it has to be how fantastic it is to learn online.
But have you thought about teaching languages online before?
There are lots of great reasons to teach languages online:
🛋 It’s super convenient to teach from your home or office..
🚙 …and adventure is open to you because you can teach languages online when you’re on the road
💰 You can save money on class materials like outdated books and CDs.
⚖️ And it’s a super flexible job, which puts you in control of your time!
All this becomes much easier when you have the right tools, so today we’re rounding up the tools that we think you absolutely need to start your business.
Best Video Conferencing Tools for Teachers
As an online language teacher, you need fast internet and a stable connection, so the first important thing is to check your speed using something like Speedtest so you can be sure your internet is reliable.
Next, you need a video conferencing app. Here are 3 to try:
Zoom, one of the most popular video conferencing tools for online teachers that want to have meetings with high security, a cool whiteboard, and great video quality. The app is not entirely free, but if you go for it you can get group meetings included.
Google Meet has one big advantage: No need to download an app! You can easily screen share and chat in your browser or on your phone, and it works super well with Google Calendar. This is great when you want your students to make sure they show up for lessons. SMS invitations are easy now!
Whereby is a newer video platform. You can bring colour to your teaching life with its many custom options, and it never requires any software downloads. The free plan allows unlimited 1:1 meetings, though you only get one meeting room URL to share.
Best Online Tools to Teach Vocabulary
When you are teaching your students online, you will often want to share new words and expressions that come up in conversation.
The majority of online teachers use the in-built chat function in Zoom for this, and many will also type words into Google Docs as they go.
Here’s how to make it more fun:
As an online language teacher I provide many touch points so the student benefits from natural review and repetition. The following tools can make teaching vocabulary into a game:
Memrise is a vocabulary learning app with in-built courses and options to make your own vocabulary sets for students to use. The courses are built around CEFR levels (A1-C2). Memrise is easy to use and its feature of “mems” helps students make words sticky.
Quizlet is very popular with teachers, especially if you base your lessons on resources that you use many times. It’s a simple flashcard app, allowing students to review on the go. You can create a custom set of vocabulary phrases and words for them, or use pre-created sets from other users.
Kahoot is an amazing tool for creating super fun quiz games. Best for when you are teaching groups of students, because they can compete to get the right answers just like on a quiz show!
For more ideas to use as an online language teacher, click here and discover 6 vocabulary learning techniques.
The Best Online Tools to Teach Grammar
Let’s face it, teaching grammar is an art in itself. I do not advise teaching grammar by reading out rules to students, instead I use a curiosity-based method that is perfect for adult learners.
Online whiteboards like Limnu can help you and your student understand grammar through visual explanations.
Whimsical is a great place for more visual explanations, for example through flow charts and mind maps.
If you want to encourage speaking, why not ask your students to answer questions or record sentences where they practice new grammar structures! Tools like Speakpipe are fantastic for this, and personally I’d consider using Voxer or Whatsapp (it’s where I do my coaching sessions!).
Finally don’t underestimate the power of playing games with your language learners. Gamified apps are nice, but they will love it so much more when you can engage them in a game so they don’t even know you’re teaching grammar! Here are 5 games that will help you teach a language in lessons, online and offline.
The Best Platforms to Find Students as an Online Language Teacher
Languatalk’s listing page where you can find students
There is a BIG market of platforms for online language lessons, but beware because they are not all the same. Some platforms are MUCH more fair to teachers. My advice is that you should not feel pressured to price yourself cheaply.
If you’re a quality, creative language teacher (here are a few great ideas!), your students will benefit from your lessons and you can earn good money through your work.
So let’s see..here are a few platforms that make finding online students easy.
Languatalk are a new language learning platform who have been a big hit with teachers. The teachers on Languatalk love how easy it is to set up and adjust your profile and how there are no hidden fees. The team is also very available for supporting new tutors. Recommended for any online teacher with experience or qualifications.
italki are one of the big names in language learning, and they stand out for their HUGE range of languages. You will find students here no matter which language you want to teach, but be aware that the market is very busy. Italki don’t always accept new teachers for every language. Recommended if you teach a rare language.
Apart from those two platforms, I don’t recommend that you rely on the big marketplaces too much. Use them to get started and only continue if you find you’re getting great students at great rates. In my experience, the best way to get great work as an online is to build lasting relationships with great students.
Here’s The Full List of Tools for Online Language Teaching
I hope this list was helpful for you and that you found the tool you were looking for! Here’s a quick reference list of what they were:
For Online Video Conferencing: Zoom, Google Meet, Whereby
For Teaching Vocabulary Online: Memrise, Quizlet, Kahoot
For Teaching Grammar Online: Limnu, Whimsical, Speakpipe, Voxer, Games
For Finding Online Language Students: Languatalk, italki
If you would like to bookmark this article, here is the address:
https://www.fluentlanguage.co.uk/blog/online-teaching-tools
Frequently Asked Language Teacher Questions
How do I become a language tutor?
Anyone can start tutoring languages,
Advertise yourself locally with flyers in local venues like cafés and libraries.
Contact local schools and let them know that you offer tutoring services.
Find students online! In this article, you will learn about my top recommended platforms where you can make a profile and start teaching online.
Find a good location to teach, for example your home or a café.
Set yourself up for taking payments. This can be cash, by card, or via online platforms.
What qualifications do I need to teach languages?
This varies depending on the learner and the platform. Sometimes they will look for someone to practice conversations, and you can be that partner even without qualifications. At other times, you will need specific qualifications such as
Teaching diplomas like CELTA
Language degrees like Masters or Bachelor
Experience working in schools or tutoring environments
If you want to tutor young people in person, you might also need a criminal records check.
How do I become a freelance language teacher?
You will usually need to set yourself up as a self-employed person in your country, so that you are legally allowed to earn money. Please check this with your local government so you’re above board when it comes to tax.
To teach online, you need good internet, a microphone, and video conferencing software like you can read in this article.
Finally, if you want more experience you can offer to participate in free language exchanges. Here are some great tips for making language exchanges work for you.
Got More Questions About Teaching Online?
I have over a decade of online teaching experience, from 1:1 language lessons all the way to creating a hit language course.
If you want to learn more from me about how to make money online, make sure you join my newsletter here - you’ll automatically be registered for all emails about online teaching!
9 of the Best Resources for Learning Spanish Online
Finding credible resources for language learning can be difficult and time-consuming, but don't worry...I'm here to help! There has never been a better time to learn Spanish, and with these 9 indie resources you'll be using the language comfortably in no time.
Finding credible resources for language learning can be difficult and time-consuming, but don't worry...I'm here to help!
Insider Info Comin' Right Up..
Here at Fluent Language, I love supporting independent language producers. So my indie Top 9 means that these resources are not part of a big corporation or brand of language businesses. They're insider tips that you might miss otherwise.
What’s the best way to learn Spanish on your own?
Many people think that you have to travel and take huge amounts of language lessons, but learning Spanish on your own is absolutely possible! Make sure you have a good mix of the four core skills in your routine: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Rule one should be to follow your heart and do what you enjoy the most. All three methods are efficient, and there is no reason why you can’t do a bit of each. You are NOT doing it wrong.
Here are the Best online Resources for Learning Spanish
There has never been a better time to learn Spanish, and with these 9 indie resources you'll be using the language comfortably in no time.
My friend Olly Richards is fluent in a whole bunch of languages, but I'm never more impressed than when he speaks Spanish. Olly knows what it takes to become confident, and he knows that being stuck on "intermediate" can be frustrating.
He runs Spanish Uncovered over at StoryLearning. This an innovative and SUPER effective online course designed to guide you from beginner and into language fluency. His programme includes:
The complete 20-module Spanish Uncovered programme to learn Spanish through story
100+ video lessons on reading, vocabulary, grammar, listening skills and pronunciation to learn with in an exciting "virtual classroom" environment
Dozens of interactive quizzes, to consolidate your learning, grow your vocabulary and perfect your grammar naturally
Fully downloadable material so you can learn faster - anywhere, any time, and on any device
20 integrated speaking training worksheets, so you can learn to speak your language with confidence and take part fully in basic conversations with native speakers
A 365-day money-back guarantee, so you can enrol without risk today, try out the course, and get a full refund if it's not right for you
They even do a free 7-day trial over there so you can see the course for yourself!
Easy Spanish have numerous videos that help you learn 100% authentic and natural Spanish. Created by polyglot favourite Easy Languages, the videos offer a mix of language and culture by chatting to people on the streets about certain aspects of their culture or language.
By the way, if you like podcasts then don't miss my best podcasts for Spanish learners.
It's informal, it's not very time-consuming - each video is less than 10 minutes, perfect to cram in as a working break between your studies. And most importantly it's fun and fulfils that wonderful language learning motivation: wanting to hear from real people who live somewhere else!
Randall Munroe's beloved XKCD webcomic has a global following, so much so that the community of fans decided to create a Spanish version! XKCD en español is available for all strips that the translators found "translatable", and there's enough to keep you going for days and days.
Another perfect study break, or try adding XKCD it into your daily routine. Reading one comic strip a day won't make you fluent, but it will get you used to seeing and reading written Spanish, and these short strips fit into the busiest of days.
Glossika
If you already know some Spanish and you want to start practising and adding more vocabulary over time, than the Glossika style might be perfect for you! This multilingual AI app is all about sentences… Lots and lots of sentences.
In every session, you will hear and see 10 to 20 sentences that you hear in your native language, and in Spanish, then you repeat these, and overtime, you can improve your grammar, vocabulary, and feel more ready for real, fluent conversations.
Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish
(UK Amazon Link | US Amazon Link)
Margarita Madrigal's textbook on how to learn to read, write, and speak Spanish in only a few short weeks with her proven method has become something of a cult classic as far as language books go. Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish begins by teaching you the past tense since this is the tense we use when we tell stories, and telling stories is a lot more interesting than repetitive sentences introducing ourselves.
The book's approach is focused on communication, so you'll get most out of this for boosting the speaking skill. Serious students will do well to support this with a grammar book.
The book was originally published in 1953 and is still praised today, more than 60 years later! A must-have for keen learners.
Language Transfer is a platform providing language courses for free in podcast and PDF-form. Project costs are funded through a voting campaign and occasional donations from users. The founder, Mihalis Eleftheriou, works with native speaker volunteers that he sources from the users of LT. The courses are user-funded and users can vote with a small sum of money to decide on the language or level of the next course. They have a complete Spanish course just waiting for you to get listening!
El Blog para Aprender Español, written in Spanish with the occasional English translation or guideline, offers free materials for download to use to practice your Spanish. The blog is run by Raquel and María, both Spanish ELE teachers from Madrid with experience from classrooms across Europe.
El Blog offers you everything from an insight into Spanish culture and life in Spain to basic grammar lessons. And if you like these two ladies, you can book them for one-to-one Skype Spanish lessons.
Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Daddy Yankee, Enrique Iglesias...I could name amazing Spanish language artists all day long. Maybe you've thought about learning Spanish through music before (that's got to be more fun than Duolingo!!). But how??
Tamara from Spanish Con Salsa has the answer! She has created a FANTASTIC Spanish programme all around the power of music and dance. This truly special music will ignite your love of Spanish and take you to brand new places. Unmissable! 💃🏽
Check out my interview with Tamara to learn more about how it works here:
I am a HUGE fan of Say Something in Welsh, so imagine my excitement when I found out about their Say Something in Spanish range!
Say Something In Spanish's system is simple: they say something in English, you say it in Spanish, and then you hear it twice in Spanish.
By turning language learning into a game of words, SSI allows you to explore a new language without the pressure of instant perfection. SSI started out with a very successful Welsh version of their language course, and their Spanish version is just as good.
Try a sample and Say Something in Spanish immediately on this sample page.
Have You Used Any Of These Yet?
Before you read this article, you probably already heard about Duolingo …and I hope you have discovered a lot of brand-new resources. For me as a language learning coach, it’s also important to show you how to learn vocabulary in Spanish and how to grow yourself teaching skills.
Why not join my newsletter to find out even more about this? I share great tips on a weekly basis for free and I look forward to seeing you there.
Quick'n'Easy Guide to Language Blogging
If you’re a language learner wanting to connect with others and share your project journey online, why not start a language learning blog? This article will help you get started!
Let me just switch on my psychic super-skills for a minute and guess who you are. Are you a
language learner
who spends an hour or two online every day
and likes getting new tips and ideas for your language learning?
If that is you, then this article is for you more than ever.
I don't see enough of real people dedicating time to language learning along their normal lives. If you're learning a language in the evening, at the weekend, in your lunch break, make your voice heard because you will inspire so many others.
Well guys, here we are nearly half way through the year. It's time to talk to you about this blogging. Have you started yet? If not, here are some quick and easy tips to get you started. Leave a comment and share your blog. I can't wait to see it and hope to share the best of them right here on Fluent!
Where to Start Your Blog
There are many dedicated websites out there showing you how to start a blog, and in fact most website builders come with blog facilities are built in. The core message for your personal blog as a language learner won't be included though, because there's only one step to take: Get Started!
It doesn't matter if you sign up to Wordpress, Weebly or Squarespace, or what your domain name is. You could even blog on Instagram! All that tech stuff can be changed later, but getting started should not wait. So here are the steps:
Create an account on a blogging website
Write an article
Put a picture on it - and you can have lots of fun with your images using apps like Canva
Publish
What to Include In Your Blog
It is not easy to answer the question of what you should include, but I know how tough it is to be staring at the blank screen or page when you are first getting started. So here are five articles I would like to see on every language learner's blog. Link to them permanently if you can, for example from your homepage, so that all new visitors to your page can easily learn more about you.
Which language(s) are you learning - why those?
What do you find really annoying about language study?
What do you find really awesome about language learning?
Do you have a favourite place to study? It would be so interesting to see pictures.
What was the first time you spoke to a native speaker like?
These ideas are of course not a "must write" list, but if you are short of inspiration why not pick one and just get going? Even 500 words of writing could be the start of a truly excellent blog. For example, if you look all the way back to the start of Fluent you will find a pretty quick note - my commitment to grammar. Good job it hasn't damaged my business!
Inspiration is easy to find on the web, but don't feel as if you must hold yourself to the high standards of quality that an established blog produces. The really big names, even in language blogging, have a lot of help with planning, editing and producing great posts. That might be where you're headed, but right now it's just about getting something out there.
Which language is best for blogging?
You can write your blog in your native language or in the language that you are learning. Or why not combine both and create a multilingual blog? I have often done this with my multilingual podcasts, and they brought me
a chance to practice the language I’m learning, AND
the ease of processing my thoughts and expressing myself most confidently in English
So in a blog article, you could switch between languages too and make it bilingual!
If you want to attract a big readership from a specific area of the world, it will be helpful to use the local languages and even write about places in the region.
How to Start a Language Learning Podcast
Maybe writing and reading isn’t for you, but you love to talk? I started my podcast The Fluent Show in 2013 and it was one of the most brilliant projects I ever created.
Read more here about how you can even boost your language learning by creating your very own podcast.
Share Your Blog
It is no fun to be writing when no one sees your articles, so let me help you find new friends and readers.
Here's what to do:
Write a comment in response to this blog article
Include a link to your blog and your own favourite article
Tell me in a few sentences why you started the blog
The best submissions will be featured on the Fluent blog in future and invited to submit a guest post too. Can't wait to hear from you.
Thanks for reading this article on Fluent - The Language Learning Blog. Don't forget - if you sign up to our newsletter, you will receive my best tips from 10 years of language blogging, podcasting and teaching in your inbox every Thursday.
