Several months ago, I started learning a new language; Italian.While studying Italian, I found out that I completely forgot how tough it was to start at the basic level of a language; not knowing a single thing. I started to learn English as my second language since the age of 10, so I had completely forgotten how hard it could be – I had to learn again how to start from the very beginning. To start in the best way possible for me, I joined a class and the teacher shared some very useful tips on how to start learning. I found them very useful and I wanted to share them with you. So, let’s go!

Sticky notes

Sticky notes everywhere! Repeating is key, that is something that everybody knows. Only like this, you will constantly remind yourself of the right words and sentences. Now, your room doesn’t have to look like a sticky note factory. Use the sticky notes on the words that you find the hardest to remember or from the chapter from a learning book that you are working on. You can place the sticky notes exactly with the item that it describes, or stick it to, for example, the bathroom mirror. It doesn't matter where you place them, as long they are placed in a spot that you see often.

Repeating

On the topic of repeating, just general repeating is great. Put your notebook on your bedside table, or bring it along on your daily bus ride to wherever you are going. Listen to your own voice by recording and hearing yourself, or watch knowledge clips on YouTube! All these things help me on a daily basis to remember new words, or just to recap everything that I’ve worked on so far.

Podcasts

In addition to repeating and sticky notes, I love listing to podcasts. There are many (language) versions of the podcast series ‘Coffee Break’, but also different podcasts with different hosts. Often, these podcasts cover different speaking levels, from start to intermediate and further on. Check out this webpage that covers multiple podcast sites and accounts.

Conversations, conversations, conversations

Well, we have covered the so called ‘single person’ learning stages, but what I find – and I think that many, many people will agree with me – is that conversating is the absolute best way to learn a new language. You can speak it by just doing it alone, but then there is no-one really who can check your pronunciation. Apps such as Duolingo, can help you with that as well. Conversations with classmates who happen to speak the language, or if you are following a course, the tutor and your fellow students will help you and vice versa.

Good luck on learning a new language!