Yep, you read the title right. If you’re trying to learn a new language, keeping a language learning journal is key. I was iffy too when I first heard this.
“A language learning journal? Like, a diary? Um, no thanks.” is what I thought to myself a few years ago. But after trying it, it changed everything.
Once I added writing to my language learning routine, I was able to pinpoint which words I lacked in my vocab, practice natural language, increase my daily practice, and better track my progress.
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Why (and how) you should start a language learning journal today.
There are a ton of benefits to having a language notebook. They’re simple to make and are pretty inexpensive.
Keep reading to find out exactly why, and how, you can and should start a language learning diary today.
1. You can easily pick out gaps in your vocabulary.
It’s easy to get swept up in studying vocab lists you find online or studying words you think you’ll need. But following that path isn’t always the best way to reach fluency.
Writing about your day or different topics that are relevant to you is a great way to find out which words you really need to know organically.
For example, if you work in marketing, you may find yourself wanting to write about what campaigns you’ve been working on in your journal.
But if you start writing and can’t find the marketing words you’d typically use to describe your day to day tasks…that means there’s a vocab gap! Now you know which vocab words you need to study because they’re relevant to your life.
Yep. With a language learning journal, you learn how to write about things that are relevant to you, since ideally, you’re writing about things you think about often.
And isn’t that what communication is all about? Talking about what’s important to you and learning about what’s important to others?
2. You’re forced to produce in your target language daily.
Consuming media in your target language is great, and probably already has a spot in your language learning routine.
That’s cool, but to round out our language learning routine and reach fluency faster, we need to focus on both input and ouput.
Writing in a language learning diary is a great way to produce in your target language, especially if you aren’t comfortable speaking it yet.
Translating one or two words in our heads is a lot different from producing entire paragraphs in a foreign language.
Your own journal is a comfortable space to practice crafting sentences without fear of judgment.
Writing is also just a key skill to have.
You might need to write an email in your target language, or a cover letter, for example. So it’s good to prepare for that before you need to do it.
Things like transition words, various conjunctions, and so on are something we might not pay much attention to at first.
Writing in a language learning diary daily allows us to notice these gaps we may have in our vocabulary, fill them in, and then solidify them in our memory by using them, not just listening to them.
RECOMMENDED: Language Learning Journal Ideas You Need to Try Today.
My tip: Try to write as if you were speaking your native language. It may require more translating at the start, but it’ll improve your writing level quicker than trying to play it safe and limit yourself. I’d recommend this method for those who are at least B1, but think it’s worth a shot for beginners if you feel up to the challenge!
3. Tangible Progress Tracking
It can be hard to quantify our progress as a language learner. How do we know we’re actually making progress?
I know sometimes it feels like we study and study but have nothing to really show for it.
With a language learning journal, you can go back to earlier entries and see where you were months ago and compare to where you are now.
This can be great for days when you feel like you aren’t getting anywhere! It’s progress you can see.
4. You can Practice, Practice, Practice with a Language Learning Journal!
If you’ve read any of my other posts, you’ll know that repeated practice is key. Consistency with anything, especially language learning, is so important!
Making a habit of writing at least one paragraph a day in your target language is a great way to get in some daily practice.
Like they say, if you don’t use it you lose it. AND (now this is my clever addition) if you don’t consistently work on your desired skill, you won’t reach success as fast as if you just put in the work, day after day.
Even if it’s just a small three-sentence paragraph!
A tip: While you can do the checking yourself using a translator or language dictionary, I highly recommend having a foreign language tutor check your work. There’s nothing like a human to read over your entries and accurately translate it!
When it comes to finding a native speaker to check your journal entries, I’ve found great online foreign language tutors on italki.com! They have tutors for over 100 different languages, and lessons are typically around $20 for an hour long session with a professional teacher.
How to Start A Language Learning Journal
So now, you get it. You know having a language learning journal is worth it. But how do you make one?
First find an old notebook, sheet of paper, or even do this digitally using a tablet and digital pencil.
Then, start off by writing one paragraph a day about the least and most exciting thing that happened to you that day.
Of course, you can write about whatever you’d like, that’s just one prompt for you!
When you find yourself lacking a word or two, go to google translate or your favorite language dictionary, and fill in the gap.
Then add the word to your flashcards, highlight it in your journal, and remember to study it later!
All in All…
Keeping a daily language learning diary can help you reach fluency faster.
Your foreign language journal allows you to recognize gaps in your vocabulary quicker than without, you’re forced to produce written work in the language, and it’s another way to fit in daily practice.
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