If you’re looking for a challenging and intellectual hobby, learning a new language might be exactly what you need. Have you always wanted to study French? Are you absolutely fascinated with Japanese? This fall may be the perfect time to start your language journey.
Structure and guidance are essential when it comes to language learning. But before you’re ready to commit and invest in lessons, it might be best to make sure you have the spark for the language. And here are a few ideas how to get it!
Listen to the music
Try finding musicians who sing in the language you really love and consider learning. Listen and read the lyrics, watch the videos. You may even be able to sing along eventually! It’s amazing how quickly you’ll pick up vocabulary from the songs you absolutely adore. Entertainment and learning, we’re here for it!
Watch something in the original language
This one is a no-brainer, but it’s still worth mentioning. One of the best things about languages is that they open a whole new world. You don’t really need to be fluent in the language to enjoy a film or a TV show. Just pick something light and familiar. Turn on the original subtitles and let your brain absorb the new way of communication.
Enjoy different content
If you spend a lot of time on social media, make the best of it. Follow creators and people who speak the language. Start your day with stories in German, scroll through posts in Spanish during your lunch break and enjoy a YouTube video in French over dinner. This is a great way to introduce yourself to the real, authentic language.
Find a person to talk to
This one requires at least some knowledge of the language, so it’s more suitable for those who try to reignite their spark. If you live in an international area, try finding a language buddy. You may be able to practice speaking together and have a lot of fun. If you don’t have this opportunity, start looking online. You can even find a pen friend and start writing letters in an old-fashioned way (but probably via email).
Learn more about the country
Personal connection to a country is one of the most common reasons we start learning its language. Sure, you don’t always have the luxury of hopping on the plane and exploring the country first-hand. But you certainly can learn more about the country from the comfort of your home. Watch some videos, read a few articles. Create a beautiful mood board that will inspire you to learn the language and may be one day even travel there.
Learning a new language is truly an eye-opening and rewarding experience. And I’m not talking about the skills. I’m talking about the feeling you get when you find the word you love, pronounce the unfamiliar sounds for the first time, and enjoy every bit of it. It’s easy to get intimidated by a new language because learning requires a lot of work. But it’s only a language. Just trust the process.