How to Learn a New Language: Tips for Beginners

Key takeaways

Learning a new language can strengthen cognitive skills and help you connect across cultures.

• Knowing at least 4,000 words typically makes you an advanced speaker, and you can communicate in the new language with 1,000 to 3,000 words [1].

• Bilingual skills can expand your career options in fields like business, hospitality, health care, and customer service.

• You can establish a language learning routine by applying practical study habits and strategies to stay motivated.

Learn more about how to build your language skills through immersion, vocabulary practice, and consistent routines. If you're ready to start learning a language, consider enrolling in the Learn Spanish: Basic Spanish Vocabulary Specialization. You'll have the opportunity to develop your vocabulary, write in Spanish, and prepare a travel plan to a Spanish-speaking country.

How to learn a new language

Choosing which language to learn is a personal decision, and your native language, interests, needs, and goals can help you narrow your options to learn one efficiently. 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 1,000 to 3,000 words [1].

To master new words, you need to use them in different contexts and review them multiple times. Research in vocabulary acquisition has found that learners may need to interact with new words as many as 20 times before they can remember them [2]. 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 out loud when you learn them: When you say words aloud, you can practice pronouncing them properly, which is an important part of learning how to communicate in the new language. This can also 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 can also use the following ideas:

• 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, HelloTalk

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 552 and 690 class hours to learn languages like Dutch, French, Italian, and Spanish [3]. You'll spend around 838 class hours learning German, Haitian Creole, and Swahili. When learning languages with fewer features in common with English, you can expect to put in at least 1,000 class hours [3].

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.

How to learn a new language by yourself?

To learn a new language by yourself, create your own program that mixes vocabulary study with real practice. Start with foundational words and phrases. Then add listening, reading, and speaking activities that help you use the language in context. Over time, you can adjust your plan as you discover which tools, resources, and habits support your learning style. 

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 multitasking and problem-solving 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

Explore resources to support your personal and professional goals

Keep your learning momentum going by subscribing to Career Chat, our weekly LinkedIn newsletter featuring practical tips to help you grow new skills. Then, explore these free resources to stay inspired on your language-learning journey.

• Create a plan: Setting Your Professional Development Goals

• Watch on YouTube: How to Motivate Yourself: 5 Simple Tips That Actually Work

• Get practical tips: How to fit learning into your life: 3 tips from an online learner

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