Learning a language is a very enriching activity. By knowing new languages we can develop intellectually, increase our circle of friends, stand out in the job market, among other benefits.
Perhaps you think that the task of learning a new language is too complicated and that you would only be able to take on this task if you take a good course or pay a private tutor.
But is it really necessary to look for these means that are often absurdly expensive and inflexible. Well, you can be there in front of the computer and think:
“Wow, today we have so much quality information and knowledge on the internet and for free. Why do I need to pay for an expensive and time-consuming course without even being guaranteed success? ”
Believe me, it is possible to learn a language by yourself. Many people have already achieved this feat and in this article we are going to show you practical and useful tips for you to embark on this journey that, believe it or not, is very rewarding.
Why do you want to learn a language?
It may seem boring to read this one more time, but having a good motivation can be decisive for progress not only in languages, but in any area.
When I talk about “good motivation” I don't mean to have goals like traveling abroad or getting a better position at work, a good reason can be simply to create a new hobby.
A good goal involves more than the object of choice, but how much energy and motivation you will have to employ in this project, how much you actually love doing it.
It is of great importance that we remember this. Why? We all remember well situations where we are forced to learn something that we don't identify with, these situations can often be exhausting and boring.
So we need more than anything to identify ourselves with the language we are learning. What catches your attention the most? Is it the musical productions of that language or is it the literature that grabs you the most?
If it's music that makes you learn, look for the lyrics of the songs you love the most, make an effort to translate them, to sing them, to learn them. By doing this you will be able to use your energies in the best possible way.
When you find what really makes you want to learn, you'll be able to put together a path or a study guide that will best suit you and your interests.
What sources will you use to learn?
Now that you know your motivations and desires better, you will need reliable sources to learn these languages. But where can you find it? Kind of obvious, isn't it? The internet has an almost infinite range of information and materials.
Internet sites like YouTube can be of great help. Many excellent teachers use the platform to give tips, lessons, in addition to providing a lot of cultural content that can be of great help.
YouTube also has a lot of content in a foreign language, that is, we can find newspapers, gameplays, video clips, vlogs and many other contents that help us absorb the language and train our listening skills.
Other helpers are apps like Duolingo, Busuu, Beelinguapp and etc. These apps help a lot in the task of making learning a language light and even fun.
When we talk about didactic material on grammar and other deeper content, we can easily find this type of content on Google in PDF form or even scattered in Telegram groups.
Now, when we talk about tools to exercise our speech or even a more direct contact with native speakers. The Omegle website can be of great help, through this website it is possible to get in touch with random people from all over the world.
Keep a study routine
We know that it is possible to learn a language by yourself, but we have to remember that we will not achieve anything without our own effort. We need discipline to carry out a large project like this.
Big in what sense? Learning a new language is a long to medium term project. The first thing we must get into our heads is that we are not going to learn a language in any time frame.
Forcing yourself to learn using goals that are unreasonable will only lead to disappointment and comparison with others. These situations take away the joy you would have if you were going at your own pace.
That said, a study routine should first be based on your own circumstances. How much time do I have to use during the week? How could I fit some activity into my day? Questions like these help us to have a better organization.
Another help when learning a new language is to remember that there are two forms of learning that can be alternated during the week, the form passive and active of learning.
passive activities
This way of learning, as the name suggests, does not require as much concentration because it is lighter and is probably the easiest way to fit into our routine. Activities such as watching a series or movie in a foreign language, listening to music and podcasts can fall into the category of passive activities and are very welcome throughout learning.
active activities
This type of activity requires a little more dedication, as concentration is needed to perform them. Exercises that involve learning words and phrases, pronunciation and grammar fall under the active type of learning.
Both the active and passive forms are of great importance and can often be combined for better use. The secret is to fit both types of activity into the routine.
Remember, constancy in learning is of great importance. If every day you have the habit of studying even just a little bit, that “little bit” will make a big difference in your progress in the future.
Conclusion
Studying a new language, whether foreign or even local like Libras, can be a very good and rewarding experience. The means for you to learn are there, available to everyone through the internet. What do you need to learn?
Don't answer that it's time, as we have seen that a study routine is one more factor in fitting learning into our day. So what do we need to learn?
As we saw in the article, first find a good motivation, find out what motivates you, what makes you excited, is it culture, music, literature? It doesn't matter what it is. What matters is that this motivation is your starting point.
Then use tools that the internet itself gives you to learn. Watch video lessons on YouTube, read articles, download books in the language and make an effort to do a good research. Then organize yourself minimally and try to see a little of that language every day.
If you do, you will be able to enjoy a unique experience. Learning a new language is learning a new culture, a new way of expressing yourself and another way of thinking. I hope these tips have helped you. Good studies!