Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of fun in learning a new language, suggesting that making the process enjoyable is key to sticking with it and achieving fluency.

Abstract

In the context of the new year, the article "Here’s How You Need to Learn Your New Language in 2020" outlines an approach to language learning that prioritizes enjoyment. It posits that the secret to sustained language study is to ensure that the learning process is fun, drawing a parallel to the engaging nature of video games that keeps players coming back. The author, who has studied ten languages and is fluent in six, recommends using videos, adapting textbooks for personal use, engaging with a community of learners, and keeping study sessions short and frequent. By doing so, learners can turn language study into a pleasurable activity, which in turn can lead to consistent progress and the ability to converse in the new language with ease by the end of the year.

Opinions

The author believes that the primary reason people give up on learning a new language is the lack of fun in the learning process.
Watching videos on platforms like Netflix can significantly enhance language skills, especially when combined with structured learning.
Textbooks should not be followed rigidly; instead, they should be used as a flexible resource to support language learning in a way that is enjoyable for the learner.
Engaging with a community of other learners and native speakers is crucial for practicing communication and deepening understanding of the language.
Short, daily study sessions are more effective than infrequent, longer sessions for language retention and making steady progress.
The author is confident that by incorporating fun into language learning, anyone can overcome the perceived difficulty and succeed in mastering a new language.

Here’s How You Need to Learn Your New Language in 2020

Make it all about that one tiny word and you’re good to go.

2020 is upon us and, as every year, many of us will take the resolution to learn a new language. If it’s your first foreign language you’re planning on learning on your own, welcome to the incredible world of language learning! It’s full of wonders!

You might want to learn a language for business reasons, or because you’re interested in an aspect of the language’s culture. Or you might just want to push yourself to learn something new in 2020.

Either way, there is one simple way to make sure you won’t give up in a month. Because, yes, you will give up if you don’t make this one thing central.

Fun

That’s the one thing you’ll need. Nothing more. Yes, there are many “better” ways to study you can find online. I can gladly share many pieces of advice to learn some since I studied 10 languages and speak 6. But in the end, it all comes down to this one thing. Fun.

There are a few reasons for this but the main one is that if it’s fun, you’ll keep on doing it. It’s not for nothing that many people — myself included — keep coming back to video games. They’re entertaining and make you want to continue playing.

Imagine if you could make your studies as fun!

We’re all different, but take your pick or combine whatever you want in the below list. Who knows, you might find just what you need.

Use Videos

In a world full of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+ and whatnot, there are unlimited choices for videos to watch. They are the best way to study without even realizing it and can level up a language immensely if you complete your study with some structured learning and have already done some study.

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While it won’t be enough on its own if you’re starting from scratch, it’s a good way to keep on learning even when relaxing.

Make textbooks fun

Yes, the word “textbook” in itself probably already killed it for you, didn’t it? Well, I’m glad to let you know textbooks don’t have to be followed in the specified order. Nobody is forcing you to use it from page 1 to page 256. It should serve as a piece of advice. That’s it.

Use it just as a resource like any other. Just like a chair is for sitting but will also be your stool to change the light bulb, you textbook has its purpose but you can adapt it as you want.

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How to make sure you make the best of your textbooks

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Don’t learn alone

Languages were created to be able to communicate. Even if you may want to learn it just to read, you’ll still need to understand conversations, won’t you?

This is why you need to find a community of other learners, to meet or exchange online with natives, and associate your learning experience with the fun of exchanging with other people.

Not only will you get a more in-depth understanding of what you want to learn, but you will also get to make use of what you just learned hours or days ago.

Make your study short

We believe we need to study hours on end to be able to really remember something and, as a result, end up pushing the study session further and further.

Don’t.

Just don’t think that way. It’s a misconception and, in reality, it’s much more efficient to do 5 to 10 minutes a day than 1 hour and a half every Sunday. Tiny progress compounds and your brain creates connections naturally by seeing the language regularly instead of once in a while.

Plus, who knows, just starting for a 5 minutes session might turn into 15 or 20 if you have the time and are having fun!

Language learning doesn’t have to be hard. It might feel hard because you haven’t succeeded yet but that’s about to disappear now. So go out and have fun with it!

And then we’ll see you in 2021 speaking that new language with ease.