Most effective ways to learn a language

One of the most effective ways to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it. That could mean traveling to a country where the language is spoken, living with native speakers, taking classes, watching movies that are available in the target language, and reading books and newspapers written in that language. 

Practicing your skills often by having conversations with native speakers or with other learners can also help you become fluent in the language and could be an effective method of learning a language. 

Additionally, using apps like Duolingo and Memrise to practice vocabulary and grammar can be helpful as well. With enough dedication and practice, learning a new language will no longer seem like a tedious task but an interesting affair. 

Most effective ways to learn a language

Different people have a different approaches to learning especially when they’re learning an entirely new language. People often wonder how many words they need to know to learn a language. But it is not necessarily true, it doesn’t take knowing thousands of words to be fluent. Rather the secret is to not just focus on learning words but also on the grammar part of it, how to build sentences, write accurately, etc. 

Set your language goal/purpose carefully 

When you’re starting to learn a language, the first and foremost thing you need to keep in mind is that what are your expectations and language goals. Studies show that having your expectations straight and setting proper goals for yourself will help you develop interest and you’re more likely to achieve your goals in the end. 

But you need to be pragmatic in your approach. Challenge yourself with attainable goals, and set short-term goals instead of long-term. Make a weekly plan, and divide your curriculum accordingly. Reward yourself when you achieve it. Hold yourself accountable on days when you don’t perform as per expectations. 

Some people want to simply learn the language to understand the culture, some to enhance their language skills, some people wish to get fluent in the language, and some people want to learn the language to achieve expertise or for preparing for an exam like TOEFL. So, decide your purpose carefully in order to understand the suitable approach to learning it.   

Focus on grammar

Focusing on grammar doesn’t mean you need to stress yourself to perfect it to the core. Absolutely not, as a beginner, you should focus on the correct use of verbs and arrangement of the sentences. 

Before diving into complex grammar rules, it's important to understand the fundamentals. Learn the basic parts of speech, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, and how they are used in a sentence. To become proficient in grammar, you need to practice regularly. Set aside time each day to review and practice grammar rules.

Speaking with native speakers is a great way to learn grammar. Ask them questions about grammar and how they use it in everyday conversations. Memrise, Duolingo, Babbel, etc are the best ways to learn a language online. 

Decide suitable method/source of study

It is important to consider your individual learning style and preferences when selecting a suitable source of study. Do you prefer to learn through visual aids such as videos or diagrams? Or do you prefer to learn through auditory means such as podcasts or audio recordings? 

Perhaps you prefer to learn through reading and writing, or even through interactive activities such as online courses or language exchanges. Whatever your preference, there are a variety of resources available to help you learn a language. 

Consider your goals and the amount of time you have available to dedicate to learning, and then select the source of study that best suits your needs. With the right approach, you can be well on your way to mastering a new language. Hence, proves to be the best way to learn a language. 

Some experts are of the opinion that self-studying language is more effective than language schools. Everyone has a different mindset and they require a different approach. Thus, learning a language from the same curriculum and the same teacher in a class together when you’ve different learning needs, speed, and capacity may not be as effective. So, self-study can be scientifically proven best way to learn a language by yourself. 

Create your Curriculum

Having a proper study plan will motivate you and maintain consistency. Learn about all the important topics that need to learn, the vocabulary you would like to master, etc. 

Set simple reading habits. Focus on sentence patterns, song lyrics, grammar, and reading paragraphs in your targetted language. 

Move to the intermediate level of reading. Read simple articles and short stories, Intermediate grammar, and more complex structures like news articles, and a few chapters of a book. These are some predominant topics that you must include in your curriculum for sure in order to attain the best way to learn a language. 

Focus on Vocabulary

Make a list of words you want to learn. Start by writing down the words you already know, then add new words as you come across them. Flashcards are a great way to practice and remember new words. You can make your own or use an online program to create them.

Reading and listening to material in the language you are learning will help you become familiar with the words and phrases you are learning. Using Acronyms, Mnemonics, watching YT videos about a specific topic/lesson, writing essays on a particular topic, pretending to teach someone else, and making a song/rap with the lesson are effective ways to focus on vocabulary and can be great methods of learning a language. 

Make the best use of TV shows and Netflix

How often you’ve turned on English subtitles for your favorite K-drama? I know we’re all guilty of that. But as much as it is fun to watch a foreign tv series in your own language; you can also use it as an effective tool to learn the target language. 

You may have heard people talk about how they learned English by watching tv series like FRIENDS and THE MODERN FAMILY. Learning a language with Netflix while enjoying your favorite show can be one of the best ways to learn a language for free.