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Learning a new language doesn’t have to be so intimidating. As long as you have the right tools to help you learn and practise, you are well on your way to becoming a capable speaker or writer in whatever language you are trying to master.

In this age of information, you could start polishing your language skills online and, if you become a focused self-learner, even get into advanced levels of learning. Here are the kinds of tools you should look for that will help you pick up a new language in no time:

Mnemonics

Look for a nice language learning tool that, instead of relying on conventional language learning techniques, focuses on mnemonics and memory aids that help you absorb the new language faster. Such techniques are especially useful for adults, who generally respond well to flashcards and other memory tools.

Online lessons

There are several websites out there that specialise in teaching popular languages such as Spanish, French, Russian, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Polish, Italian and so on. Many just require that you open an account to start learning. Many of these sites offer comprehensive online courses, and lessons may include anything from slideshows to quizzes. Of course, there is no substitute for spending some time in a country where your target language is spoken, so if you get the chance to study abroad you should take it – so for French courses France is the place to go and for a German school Freiburg, Hamburg or Berlin could offer some great options. For those of us who cannot afford to take time off work or studies to take a course abroad, however, the next-best thing is to make use of all the available resources and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible.

Foreign language audio podcasts

Learning a new language can be made more fun with podcasts. The sheer convenience of podcasts means it is possible to hone your listening skills and vocabulary anywhere, even on your way to work. What’s really wonderful about these is the wealth of resources you will find online, even if you’re learning a less conventional language such as Ukrainian or Romanian.

Video lessons

If audio lessons aren’t your cup of tea, consider learning from video. Video lessons make the learning process fun and entertaining, with subtitled music videos in your target language among the possibilities.

Text correcting

There are websites that can help you practise writing a new language. The process is simple: you can submit your practice language text and have it corrected by an expert or native speaker. Some sites even offer audio recordings of submitted text. If you’re learning on your own, it can sometimes be difficult to obtain valuable feedback, which can be essential to progress, so these services can be especially useful. Happy learning!

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