Summary

The article outlines strategies for effectively learning a new language in 2023, emphasizing vocabulary over grammar and promoting digital immersion.

Abstract

The author of the article provides insight into the process of language acquisition, suggesting that embracing the initial struggle of learning is crucial. They recommend focusing on vocabulary before grammar to build confidence and communication skills, and advocate for digital immersion through media consumption and language apps to enhance learning. The article encourages consistent daily practice and suggests that these methods have personally enabled the author to navigate foreign countries with ease, such as speaking Spanish in Mexico.

Opinions

Learning a new language is akin to learning to ride a bike, with initial difficulties giving way to confidence and natural fluency.
Prioritizing vocabulary over grammar allows for quicker communication and a sense of progress.
Digital immersion, including watching media and using language apps, is a highly effective method for language learning.
Changing device language settings can aid in learning frequently used vocabulary.
The author believes that their strategies have significantly improved their language learning experience and can benefit others as well.

How To Learn A New Language In 2023

These proven methods will make it easier

If you’re reading this, you probably want to become fluent in another language.

Perhaps you want to go to Europe and communicate with locals in Amsterdam, Paris, or Rome. Or maybe you think it would be interesting to learn about a different culture.

But chances are, you don’t know where to start. There are so many resources on the internet telling you to do X, Y, or Z that you don’t know how to begin the process of learning a new language from scratch.

While I don’t pretend to have all the answers, I can recommend several language learning strategies that worked for me. Hopefully, they’ll help you to learn another language with ease.

Embrace The Art Of Knowing Nothing

Learning a new language is similar to riding a bike for the first time.

At first, it’s scary and intimidating. But as you ride more frequently, your level of confidence grows. And eventually, riding a bike feels completely natural as you know exactly what to do.

Language learning is the same.

You’re probably going to sound dumb for a while, but that’s okay. Everyone’s pronunciation sucks during the first weeks and months of learning a new language. Likewise, you’ll probably forget a few words during conversations with native speakers because they won’t be engrained into your long-term memory.

All of that is normal.

But as you practice every day, your level of confidence will grow. You’ll learn how to pronounce difficult words. And eventually, you’ll be able to have conversations in your chosen language with ease.

Don’t Worry About Grammar (Yet)

One of the main reasons people struggle to learn a language is because grammar rules are often different from English.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the different tenses and sentence structures of a foreign language that are complicated and unfamiliar. So, if you want to learn a new language, consider placing a strong emphasis on vocabulary instead of grammar.

Why? You’ll gain a feeling of momentum. Plus, focusing on vocabulary will help you convey ideas to a native speaker within moments of beginning to learn a new language — even if your sentence structure isn’t perfect.

For example:

“When is bus?”
“Where train station?”
“Good restaurant near here?”

Of course, you might feel embarrassed if your questions and statements aren’t grammatically perfect. However, native speakers will probably understand what you’re trying to say. And when you think about it, that’s what truly matters.

From personal experience, I can say it’s much easier to communicate with a lot of vocabulary than perfect grammar and very few words. So, focus on learning as many words as possible while learning a new language.

The grammar can come later.

Practice Digital Immersion If You Can’t Travel Abroad

In my opinion, this is the best thing you can do to gain exposure to foreign vocabulary and grammar.

According to FluentU, “This simple change can make language learning a part of the activities you do most, and this helps to reinforce a sense of foreign language immersion and ongoing commitment to your language learning goals.”

Here are several things you can do to digitally immerse yourself in another language:

Watch movies, TV shows, and YouTube videos in your chosen language (with subtitles), so you can listen to the accent, slang, and grammar used by native speakers.
Use language learning apps to practice reading and speaking in another language. For example, I’ve been using Duolingo every day for two years to learn French and Spanish.
Change the language settings on your phone, tablet, and laptop, so you’re seeing your chosen language every single day. You’ll quickly learn vocabulary that’s frequently used for texting, gaming, and browsing social media.

Become immersed in your chosen language whenever you get an opportunity. Gain familiarity with vocabulary, sentence structures, and various accents (especially if it’s spoken in multiple countries around the world).

Continually put one foot in front of the other by learning something new every day. And inevitably, you’ll make a lot of progress over time.

Since I began implementing the above strategies, I’ve found it much easier to learn new languages. Plus, it makes traveling abroad enjoyable as I don’t rely on locals speaking English. For example, a few months ago, I was in Mexico and spoke nothing but Spanish in supermarkets and restaurants.

Consider using these strategies to learn a new language whenever you get an opportunity. They worked wonders for my life. Hopefully, they will do the same for you, as well.

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