I feel like learning a language is one of those New Yearās resolutions that pop up every few years for me. And just like every New Yearās resolution, Iāll go into it highly motivated and severely underprepared. Unfortunately, that doesnāt quite work. Itās overwhelming, and by March, I usually give up entirely. Thatās not happening next year, though, because Iāve done my research this time.
Self-studying a language can be a lot of fun, but just like every good endeavor, it needs a solid plan. Luckily, throughout years of homeschooling and self-studying for exams, Iāve gotten a bit of experience in that area. Hereās how I plan to set myself up to successfully learn a language in 2025 as someone whoās already failed a few times:
- Figure out Why Youāre Doing This
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I always hated those worksheets that asked me to define my goals. This is a lot less formal. Why do you want to learn a language? This could mean learning French or Spanish for a semester abroad or wanting to learn Korean to understand new music. Itās really an individualized answer, but Iāve personally been inspired to learn Japanese because itās a friendās first language. Even just wanting a new hobby is a good enough reason to learn.
Knowing the “why” of what I’m doing helps me stay motivated. Every time youāre thinking you donāt want to try, remember the reason you started. Learning a language is tough and it can be hard watching your progress stagnate. Whatever happens, donāt lose your motivation! Itās what inspired you to start, and thatās the hardest part of all.
- Picking Tools
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Thereās no shortage of resources for learning languages. You just have to pick one that fits your learning style. I love the gamified structure of Duolingo, but the repetitiveness doesnāt work for me as an actual lesson. Iāve found that I enjoy tools that mimic lectures more, like Assimil or Genki.
I’d recommend mixing and matching tools because each one serves different purposes. Find something you can do easily on your phone (Duolingo, Babbel, Anki), something with a course-like structure (Genki, Assimil, Pimsleur), something to read (childrenās books, blog posts, translations of articles youāve already read), and something to listen to (tv shows, podcasts, games).Ā
I also suggest finding a good, thick grammar book. Knowing how to structure a sentence is just as ā if not more ā helpful than knowing vocabulary, in my opinion.
- Practice, Practice, Practice
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Once youāve found your resources and motivation, practice! Be consistent and make it a habit. In my previous attempts, I found that I liked starting my day with language practice the most. Iād wake up 30 minutes to an hour earlier to slam my head against grammar structures or listen to a course while eating breakfast. It was a good way to ease myself into productivity.
For you, this might be best at the end of your day, as youāre getting ready for bed. Or maybe you have an odd hour in between classes. Wherever you decide to fit it in, make it a part of your daily routine, and I do mean daily ā weekends, holidays, and vacations included.
In line, instead of doomscrolling, practice vocabulary on your phone. If you donāt know what to watch, try rewatching a TV show in your new language and see if you can catch words you recognize. Train yourself to pronounce things right from the beginning, even if that means going slower or stopping to correct yourself.
Talk to yourself (particularly effective in the shower)! Play popular music and follow social media accounts, find vloggers or streamers you like, or put sticky notes around your room if thatās what works for you. A large part of learning a language has been immersing myself in it. How you decide to make it a part of your daily life is ultimately up to you.
- Find enjoyment
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Learning a language is a hobby, a passion project. I know Iāve just spewed out lists of resources and methods for success, but if you donāt have fun doing it, all of this is less likely to work! Itāll take time and a lot of effort, but with each new word and phrase, youāll be further from where you were when you started.
So, whether you start today or in the new year, happy learning! Youāve got this!
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