7 Language Learning Tips to Achieve Your New Year’s Resolution

Is your New Year’s Resolution to learn a new language in 2020? Ah … technology! Lucky for you, we live in a time where our digital devices can be bent to serve our will. Foreign language learning is available everywhere in nearly unlimited formats. So banish your excuses and dive right into your New Year’s language learning journey.

In this guide, we offer a bounty of fresh ideas and tools to guide you through the language learning process. Read on to discover:

• How to find local language exchanges
• The world of international Netflix
• Spotify multi-lingual playlists
• And so much more!

Incorporate these 7 useful tips into your everyday life and you’ll be speaking a new language in no time!

Let’s get started.

1. Look for Local Language Exchange Hangouts in Your Area.

In cities all over the world, native speakers and language learners get together every week to chat and practice their speaking skills.  But how do you find them? Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think. 

Did you know you can use Facebook to find local language exchanges in your area? Try searching “Language Exchange,” and with the press of the enter button, an entire list of language exchange events within a 25-mile radius will instantly display on your screen. 

Having trouble finding meet-ups on Facebook? 

If so, you can head to sites like MeetUp, an online service that allows you to search for events in your city by category.

Just type in your desired category and begin searching! It’s as easy as that. 

2. Label All of Your Household Items in Your Target Language.

No need to make endless stacks of flashcards to help you study your new language. Label objects around your house instead!

Label all of your appliances, furniture, and kitchenware. You can even incorporate common phrases for daily chores like “pick up your clothes” or “what do you want for dinner?”. If you know anything about Pimsleur courses, you know that spaced repetition is essential for the language learning process. Leaving notes for yourself around the house gives a whole new meaning to the term spaced repetition. Work it!

If you have an extra 10 minutes, take the time to make your grocery list in your new language. This trick can boost your memory for simple, everyday words. 

Want to kick it up a notch? We challenge you to ONLY take the shopping list you made in your new language – it’s time to sink or swim!

3. Turn Your Netflix Binge-Watching Habit Into Language Lessons.

If you’re like most of us, you love to binge-watch Netflix in your downtime. But what if you could hit two birds with one stone: relax and fine-tune your listening skills? 

We have good news: you can! In fact, Netflix is available in 190 countries and offers content in over 20 languages. 

But how does Netflix language learning work?  

Netflix Language Learning Tricks 

It all comes down to this: Netflix international series are useful for language learning because they often repeat a lot of colloquial vocabulary. All you have to do is turn on subtitles to receive an optimal learning experience. Learning new words in context has never been easier!

Expert Tip: Take out your cell phone or a pen and paper while you’re watching a new episode and make a list of the words you hear. Refer to the list every time you are watching the show.

Learning Spanish? Check out these top 10 Spanish TV series on Netflix. Which show will you binge next? 

4. Subscribe to Linguistics Channels on YouTube.

Instead of watching yet another cat video (no matter how cute it may be), kick off the New Year by spending more productive time on YouTube! 

That’s right, we’re talking about language learning videos. The best part: there are thousands of international YouTubers that will speak in their native languages about the topics you care about.  YouTube channels are like having personal mentors for free who guide you through slang, pronunciation, and even jokes and insults. 

Subscribe to multiple channels so that you get an update whenever new videos are launched. 

6. Use Spotify to Follow Top Hits From Different Countries.

Spotify is leading the way in the international music scene. Currently operating in 59 countries, you can check out Top Hits playlists to see what music is popular in the language that you are trying to learn.  

For instance, here is an example of the Top Hits France playlist. 

Eager to start singing in your new language? Every week, try to learn the chorus of at least one new song! 

Expert Tip: Check the most popular artists in each country and learn what they are about to dive even deeper into the culture. For example, the artist Lomepal ranked 4 times in the top 6.

7. Make a Language Learning Schedule and Stick to it. 

Although the aforementioned tips may seem time-consuming, they can easily be worked into your daily life, making sure you’ll stay focused, and reminding you of why you’re learning. That being said, if you really want to make your New Year’s resolution come true, you need a proper schedule. 

But what is the best way to make an effective language learning schedule?

You can use apps like Todoist to create a list of tasks, add deadlines, and assign priorities. The app will do the work of reminding you to stay on top of your language learning. 

Having a hard time visualizing this? No worries, we got you. 

In addition to doing 30-minutes a day using your Pimsleur app, an effective language learning to-do list might look like:

1. Monday: Spend a few minutes to remind yourself why you’re learning. Read a travel magazine or FaceTime your nonna. 
2. Tuesday: Go to a language exchange event.
3. Wednesday: Label the living room and kitchen.
4. Thursday: Tune into your new favorite Netflix show in a foreign language. 
5. Friday: Watch that new YouTube video that is up on your favorite channel.
6. Saturday: Play your new favorite song over and over on the way to the beach.
7. Sunday: Reflect on new vocab words.

Add an appointment to your calendar, set it to recurring every week, and you’re on your way. Sounds easy enough, right? Heck, most of these are so easy, you’ll want to do them every day!

Need an Extra Push to Meet Your New Year’s Resolution?

Learning a new language is fun, but it also takes time and dedication. Now you have access to the right resources, you’ll be speaking and understanding your new language in no time. New Year’s resolution? You got this!

Need an extra push to get you started on your language learning journey? Try the Pimsleur app – audio lessons with Premium practice elements give you a great foundation to kick-start your learning journey. 

Want more language learning tips? Discover how drinking more water doubles language learning.