How to Learn a New Language: Tips for Beginners

Learning a new language is more than a skill. It's also a pathway to enhancing your memory, sharpening your listening skills, improving concentration, and mastering multitasking. Beyond cognitive benefits, it gives you an opportunity to understand other cultures.

In today's interconnected world, being able to communicate in more than one language is a valuable skill. According to the most recent report from the US Census Bureau, more than 67 million people in the country report speaking a language other than English, and more than 41 million of them speak Spanish [1]. This growing linguistic diversity highlights the importance of acquiring new language skills.

Whether you're a beginner preparing for an upcoming trip overseas or someone aspiring to join the prestigious group of polyglots who speak three or more languages, now is a great time to start a language journey. Try out these steps for how to learn a new language.

Choosing a language

Choosing which language to learn is a personal decision, and your interests, needs, and goals can help you narrow your options. If you enjoy studying Japanese history and culture, you may want to add Japanese to the list. Perhaps you're planning to vacation in Brazil and decide to learn Portuguese before the trip. Maybe you live in an area with many Spanish speakers and believe being bilingual will increase your job opportunities.

Other factors to consider when choosing a language are its similarity to your native language and opportunities to practice it. Typically, you'll find it easier to learn languages with vocabulary and grammar similar to your first language. For example, Arabic uses the Arabic alphabet instead of the Latin alphabet you use in English. You also read and write letters in Arabic from right to left. Since Croatian uses the Latin alphabet (like English), you will likely find it easier to learn Croatian.

Read more: 11 Good Study Habits to Develop

1. Immerse yourself in the language

Immersion—surrounding yourself with the language you want to acquire—is one of the top language learning methods recommended by researchers. You can do this by visiting or moving to a country where you can interact with native speakers or try some of the following:

• Label items in your home with words from your desired language.

• Watch television shows and movies filmed or dubbed in the target language.

• Listen to music or podcasts recorded in the new language.

• Read books, websites, and newspapers from countries where that language is spoken.

• Change the settings on your device to reflect the language you are learning.

These immersion techniques mimic the way you originally learned to speak through regular, practical exposure to words, pronunciation, and syntax. You may find that immersion helps your retention, so you learn the language quickly.

2. Build your vocabulary

Learning vocabulary in your new language is important because you need to know which words to use to express yourself and understand what you hear and see. According to the International Center for Language Studies, knowing between 4,000 and 10,000 words in a language typically makes you an advanced speaker, but you likely can communicate in everyday situations after mastering at least 1,000 words [2].

To master new words, you need to use them in different contexts and review them multiple times. One study found that many learners must interact with new words at least 16 times before remembering them [3]. You can use the following options to build your vocabulary:

• Use flashcards to practice. You can create physical flashcards by writing a word in the new language on one side and the word in your language on the other. Alternatively, you can use an app to create and practice with digital flashcards. To use them, read the target word in one language and try to remember its translation in the other language.

• Practice in language apps. You can find numerous language learning apps, including free options to help you learn vocabulary. In fact, vocabulary practice tends to be a prominent feature of these apps, and many of them use flashcards and games to encourage practice.

• Look for cognates. Cognates are words that are similar in two languages, such as accidente in Spanish and accident in English. Some languages have many cognates, while others may have a few or none. If you're a native English speaker, you'll likely recognize many words in Dutch, German, and French that are similar to words you already know.

• Say words aloud when you learn them. When you say words out loud, you can practice pronouncing them properly, which is an important part of learning how to communicate in the new language. This also can help you memorize new words quickly.

• Keep a journal. A journal is a great way to monitor the words you're learning. When you're watching TV, reading an article, or listening to a song in your target language, write down words that sound interesting. You can also use the journal to practice writing with the new words and review your list regularly until you feel like you've mastered them.

3. Practice speaking and listening

Since speaking and listening are critical communication components, you should practice these skills regularly as you learn your new language. Look for opportunities to listen to someone speak your target language so you can train your ear to hear the sounds of the words and the rhythm of the sentences. Mimic what you hear to reinforce the sounds. Ideally, you can practice through conversations with others, but you also can use the following idea:

• Watch a TV show without subtitles. Consider rewatching some of your favorite episodes, so you're already familiar with the storyline. This lets you focus on listening to the words and training your ear to hear the language.

• Use a language learning app. Language learning apps often include speaking and listening activities. Some apps rate your speaking and compare your pronunciation with native speakers so you can see your progress.

• Find an international pen pal. Instead of writing to each other, use video messaging apps to communicate. You practice speaking when creating a message and listening when you listen to what your pen pal recorded for you.

• Listen to music in another language. Sing along with the songs you like. This is a form of conversational shadowing because it allows you to practice the rhythm of the language and learn how to separate sounds so you can hear individual words.

• Create imaginary conversations. Think about a situation you might encounter and practice what you would say using the language you're learning. For example, you could practice ordering food in a restaurant.

Embrace mistakes (and learn from them).

Mistakes are learning opportunities, which are a normal part of the process when learning a language. You may choose the wrong word, switch vowel sounds, or use the present tense form of a verb when talking about something that happened last week. When you make a mistake, pay attention to the feedback you get. For example, the person you're talking to may correct your grammar or vocabulary choice.

4. Take advantage of language learning resources 

You can find many online tools, resources, and tips for learning a new language, including apps, dictionaries, online courses and lessons, forums, and groups you can join to practice speaking. Explore the following options:

• Apps: Mondly, Babbel, Duolingo

• Courses and lessons: Coffee Break Languages, Global Online Language Support System (GLOSS), Pimsleur

• Dictionaries: Ultralingua, Word Reference

• Forums: Word Reference Forum, Reddit

• Groups: italki, LanguaTalk

5. Set aside time to practice

Learning a new language takes time and regular practice. According to the US Department of State's Foreign Service Institute, a native English speaker typically needs between 600 and 750 class hours to learn languages like Dutch, French, Italian, and Spanish [4]. You'll spend around 900 class hours learning German, Haitian Creole, and Swahili. To learn languages with fewer features in common with English, you can expect to put in at least 1100 class hours [4].

To establish language learning habits, find ways to make practice easy and engaging. Ideally, you should practice every day, so choose a time that fits in your schedule. Perhaps you have 15 minutes each day to listen to dialogue during your commute or can spend 20 minutes during your lunch break using an app. Incorporate language learning into your daily routines by writing your grocery list in the language you're learning or watching your favorite television shows in another language.

Professions that require language skills

As a bilingual person, you have a valuable skill that can open career opportunities. Despite geopolitical tension in the world, international business activity continues to grow, increasing the need for bilingual workers. Businesses also value bilingual employees because they tend to have strong problem-solving and multitasking skills.

In the following jobs, you can put your language skills to use:

• Customer service

• Customs officer

• Flight attendant

• Health care professionals

• Hospitality manager

• Human resources professionals

• Restaurant manager

• Sales representative

• Tour guide

• Translator

How to learn a new language: Next steps

Learning a new language can boost cognitive skills like memory and concentration, and mastering a second language offers personal enrichment and opens up new career opportunities. On Coursera, you can find online language learning courses, such as Basic Spanish, which is part of the Spanish specialization from UC Davis. Another option is First Step Korean to begin learning the Korean language. Alternatively, earn a TESOL Certificate from Arizona State University and begin teaching English to others looking to learn a new language.