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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at York U chapter.

Learning a new language can seem very intimidating, especially when it’s the first time you try it. While you’ll need to put a lot of effort into studying, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the process, so here are some tips that can make learning languages more fun.

Translate music lyrics

A great way to speed up your learning is to immerse yourself in the culture, especially music. Finding songs you like in your desired language and translating them not only improves your vocabulary, but also allows you to get a feel of the progress you’re making every time you listen to the songs and understand what the singer is saying.

Find a language buddy

Arguably, one of the hardest parts of learning a new language is practicing conversations. An easy way to deal with the initial anxiety is to find a friend who’s either willing to learn with you, or already speaks the language. That way, not only do you have a judgment-free environment to learn, but you can also hang out with a friend while being productive.

Use Language Reactor

Foreign films can be very useful for learning new languages, but it can also be overwhelming at first. That’s why a tool like Language Reactor lets you watch movies with two subtitles, one in your native language and one in your desired language. As a result, you’ll be able to learn how that language is used in an abundance of situations and scenarios.

Journal in your desired language

Journaling can be motivational and refreshing for a lot of people, especially when dealing with mental health. It allows you to understand how you’re feeling and what you want. That way, why not combine self-care with productivity and try writing about your day in a different language. It might also help you see things in a new way.

Overall, learning languages can be as useful as enjoyable, as long as you set out with a positive mindset. So why not try some of these tips?

I'm a first year international student from Brazil majoring in Psychology! I'm a major movie buff and I love learning new languages.