Words are power. They’re how we communicate, how we learn, how we grow. I’ve often heard people say that the English language is amazing because there are thousands of different words with different meanings, all coming from the same 26 letters. That's beautiful! It astonishes me every day. And, as a writer, I’m grateful that I get to mold and feed ideas using those 26 letters. But, you know what else is beautiful? That fact that English isn’t the only language out there. There is literature and social media and music available in so many other languages. There are new people to meet and new stories to hear, and they're all waiting for you!
There are many different reasons to pick up a new language. You may have plans to travel, you may enjoy another culture’s music or film, you may even think that a certain language is simply beautiful and you want to explore it. Whatever the reason, I applaud you! Taking the initiative to learn about another place’s language is awesome. It shows that you understand that the world is bigger than just you. And how cool would it be to be able to communicate with people in more than one language? Bilingual people already know how magical that can be; you can too.
So, you’ve decided on which language(s) you want to learn. Where do you go now? I’ve put together a list of five of my favorite resources/techniques for practicing different languages.
1. Italki
Italki is a website that’s dedicated to language learning! You can either learn from professional teachers or from native speakers who are willing to tutor you. The price ranges vary, but I’ve seen per-hour rates anywhere from $6 to $30 (measured in the websites currency called “ITC”). There are different packages available, different levels, etc. You can do one-on-one or you can do group lessons. I use Skype for my lessons, both audio and video.
Search for the teacher who will be right for you, check out their certifications and student feedback. Because you get to see what their current students are learning and what their reviews are, you’ll feel more confident and comfortable when choosing a teacher. You can even schedule trial sessions to see if a teacher is right for you!
Scheduling sessions is simple and easy (make sure you know your time zone, as many teachers will be native speakers and live abroad). Once you have a session with a teacher, you’ll need to give them feedback (which everyone can see). It’s a good idea to write down how the session went as well as everything you learned. Your teacher will also give you feedback. Sweet!
There are also other features, like Notebook Entries for instance. Notebook Entries are one of my favorite aspects of the site. You can ask a question or simply write about your day, what you’ve learned, anything in the language you’re studying, and a native speaker will correct any mistakes you make. Italki users are friendly and helpful; you can even agree to do language exchange with another user if you don’t want to go down the teacher route.
2. Interpals
Interpals is a social media site where you find users from other countries who are looking for language exchange and penpals! How cool would it be to write letters to someone across the world? You can specify whether you want email or snail mail penpals. This website is totally free, and I’ve made some awesome friends over the years. The website design is a little old-fashioned, be warned. But that has its charms.
3. Innovative Language
Ever seen sites like “_____class101.com”? Well, Innovative Language is behind all of that. There are dozens of different languages to choose from, with different websites for each. They’ve even started adding mobile apps for some of the languages! The monthly payments are affordable and totally worth the dollar. There are different subscriptions that you can order, like Basic and Premium, each of them unlocking different features. Each lesson has audio and PDFs. There are even video lessons! You can also check out the comments in every lesson and see suggestions and tips from other users. There are lessons not only in language, but in culture, holidays, traditions, etc. It’s pretty sweet. There’s even an option to get a Word of the Day straight to your email.
4. Mobile Apps
Mobile apps such as HelloTalk and Memrise are awesome ways to learn on the go. HelloTalk is a social app where you meet people looking for language exchange. There are awesome options like voice-to-text and translate. It’s a really cool way to get experience talking to native speakers. You can even do voice and video calls!
Memrise is a bit different, you learn how to read and pronounce things through lessons packs. The concepts is really cute. Once you learn a new word/phrase, a seed will be planted. Every time you go over it again, a flower will sprout and bloom. Precious. There are tons of different languages available, and different lesson packs within each language. You can even use the website on your computer!
5. Pop Culture
Learning a language through pop culture is a fun way to get a feel for how people speak naturally. It really helps me with my pronunciation! Try watching TV shows, movies and variety programs from whatever country you’re learning about. Listening to music even helps (and foreign music is totally awesome—trust me). Make sure your video has captions so that you can read along, and enjoy! Before you know it, you’ll need the subtitles less and less. And hey, it’s free!
There are obviously many other online resources, some of them more affordable than others. These are just a few that I’ve had good experiences with! Whether you’re learning Arabic or Sign Language, there are some things that everyone should keep in mind. Learning about a place/society’s culture should be just as important as learning their language. Not only because language is often culturally contextual, but because any and all groups of people should be respected. Language is often tied to tradition, history and different art forms. It’s cool that you appreciate a certain country’s music or movies, but don’t dehumanize an entire society and make them into something that’s only there for your entertainment. Pop culture is a part of culture, but it’s not the only culture. Japan isn't just anime, Korea isn't just k-pop. You wouldn’t like it if people said Justin Bieber was the only culture you had, right?
Learning about a place’s culture is a win-win: you learn new things about the world, and you also learn new things about yourself. Stepping outside of your own customs is a wonderful way to put your life and place in the world into perspective. Plus, if you’re planning on traveling, it’s good to know about differences in behavior and customs. While you’re learning a language, try checking out some documentaries and reading about some history as well! Respect is beautiful!
One last thing to remember: it will take time. We all get frustrated when things don’t happen right away. The need for instant gratification is something that this generation definitely suffers from. All good things take time. Athletes don’t become pros overnight; they train for years. It’s the same with learning math, with learning science and with learning languages. Don’t beat yourself up if it takes you longer than your friend to get the grammar right or memorize a set of words. We all work at our own pace. Track your progress! Start a journal or blog dedicated to your language learning adventures. Reward yourself for your hard work and accomplishments, no matter how small they seem! Invest time and you will see the results.
Happy learning!
(Any and all websites and apps that involve contact with other people should be used with discretion; there will always be perverted, scummy people on the Internet—no matter the country. Always use your best judgment!)
