Maybe you’ve just decided to learn a language (exciting!), or maybe you’ve been studying a language for a while and want to switch things up. Either way, our goal is typically to learn a language effectively and efficiently. That means avoiding some common mistakes.
If you recognize some of these mistakes below, don’t worry, I’ve been there, too! I stayed in the beginner range with my language learning for years, because I was making a few of these mistakes.
Once I got it together, was honest with myself (and my lack of consistent study!), and made some changes, I made crazy progress! Why? Because I started learning more effectively and efficiently.
How do you learn a language effectively? Don’t just follow an app. Using flashcards to study vocabulary words is key to acquiring them. Make sure you’re relying on more than just tv shows and movies. Find the resources that work for you, and have lessons with a tutor to get valuable 1-1 help.
This is part 3 of my language learning basics series. Part one covers how to start learning a new language by yourself, and part two discusses the 3 tools needed to learn a second language.
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1. Just Following an App
Ok, I’ll admit it, I was one of those learners that just did Duolingo lessons and called it a day.
Just to preface, I have nothing against Duolingo!
Its gamification is enticing, and it’s a great way to get introduced to a language.
But just doing Duolingo isn’t enough to learn a language effectively or efficiently.
Typically apps are really good at one or two things, like testing you on vocabulary or having you read standalone sentences. But to really learn a language you need a mix of input and output.
Some of your input is going to be long form, like tv shows, podcasts, or books.
Some will be short form, like music and youtube videos and news articles.
Same with your output.
You’ll want to mix “filling in the blanks” exercises common in apps with writing journal entries in your target language, for example.
An app may provide you with some of the practice here, but you’ll eventually need to break away from it to dive into real content in your target language and get a well-rounded study routine.
2. Not Using Flashcards for Vocabulary Acquisition
My first two years of learning Norwegian, I didn’t use flashcards. I also went through an entire year of University Norwegian and just refused to use flashcards.
When I look back at my first couple of years studying Norwegian, I know I stayed in the beginner stage because I didn’t keep track of new words and study them regularly.
I would learn a new set of vocab words, use them for a while in class or on Duolingo, and then completely forget them.
Once I started using Anki flashcards, I saw major progress.
I was actually confronted with the new words I learned strategically and forced to recall them. I was actually acquiring them, not just cramming and then forgetting!
How to Learn a Language Efficiently with Digital Flashcards
I strongly recommend using digital flashcards because you won’t have to keep track of paper notecards (another smaller mistake I made in the beginning. It took hours to move my physical flashcards into Anki!).
And if you use Anki specifically, you benefit from the spaced repetition method they use to optimize your study time.
What is spaced repetition? It basically means showing you certain words right before you would forget them, ensuring that you recall words no more and no less than necessary. Talk about efficiency!
3. Relying Only on TV Shows
I was a big fan of SKAM, a Norwegian TV show that gained popularity in the US in 2017.
I figured if I just continued to watch TV in my target language, I’d pick up the language eventually.
This method may work for some people, but I personally needed to mix output into my study routine to see real progress with my speaking speed and overall fluency.
Once I started having weekly conversations in my target language and was forced to not just recognize, but say and use words in my target language, I improved greatly.
4. Not Searching for Resources that Work for Me
When you first start learning a language, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all of the resources.
It’s like a new world opening up and we want to just try every app, textbook, and site.
Not to mention every YouTuber or blogger who has their set language learning method that they recommend.
This can lead you to develop shiny object syndrome, which is basically jumping from one new thing to the next without figuring out if one thing really works well for you.
Yes, it’s good to try different resources and get a feel for different things, but keep track of what you liked and what you didn’t like.
Did you look forward to using that resource? Was it challenging but doable?
Just because a resource is popular doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you, so pay attention to your own response to different resources and cut off the ones that you don’t really like, and stick to the ones you do like.
Need help finding resources? Check out part 2 of the language learning basics series.
5. Not Using a One-on-One Teacher for Help
So I mentioned earlier that I took Norwegian in college, but it was nothing like the one-on-one lessons I take now on italki.
Before starting to take italki lessons, I didn’t really know if what I was doing was working.
Yes, I can listen to content and try to understand it, but my goal (and I’m thinking yours too!) is to talk to people. Have conversations.
So starting to meet one on one, where all we do is speak in the target language, was a game-changer for my speaking ability. Listening too, because I had the added pressure of real-life conversation.
A tutor can provide tailored lessons just for you, and they can offer you the accountability you may need.
They can also look over the work you do on your own to make sure you aren’t making mistakes google translate can’t quite catch. I also really recommend it for improving your speaking skills.
Sure,, you can talk to yourself, but some people like the real-time feedback I get back from a one on one teacher. I know I do!
So Now that You Know How to Learn a Language Effectively…
Don’t make these language learning mistakes! By making sure your study methods are well rounded, using flashcards, balancing input and output, finding resources that work for you, and meeting with a language learner tutor occasionally, you should be well on your way to learning a language effectively and efficiently.
If you need more help keeping up with your language learning, I have something that can help. Grab my free daily language learning checklist! It includes useful tasks you can do each day to reach fluency faster.