10+ Fun Ways to Learn a Language
Most people associate language learning with sitting still. Studying silently and memorizing grammar rules are standard practices for most teachers. And for some learners, those methods are effective. But they are boring, and you might struggle to stay motivated and focused.
What if there was a different and funnier way to learn? What if you could use things that seem to have nothing to do with learning to acquire a new language?
That way exists, and we are going to show it to you. Below, you will discover over ten fun ways to learn a new language almost by magic.
Some are science-based tips, and others are quirky ideas tested by fellow language learners. Either way, they will help you have the time of your life while exploring your target language!
How Having Fun Can Improve Your Language Skills
Despite being often overlooked, fun is essential for the language acquisition process. It helps build good memories and enhances your knowledge retention capabilities. Humans don’t learn well under pressure or stress. Negative feelings often lead to isolation, which has no role in language learning.
Contrarily, a fun and relaxed environment allows students of all ages to learn and memorize new words. It helps them look behind languages and explore the people and their countries. Language learning becomes a way to gain new insights into different cultures.
Summing up, the more fun you have while learning languages, the faster and better you will reach fluency. But which activities are the most helpful? And how can you include them in your learning journey? Continue reading to find out!
10 Fun Activities For Language Learners
The Journey is a program built to teach you European Portuguese while having fun. It applies engaging and science-based methods. This unique course gathers the best of language learning programs. It is a gamified experience with real-life situations so you can learn to speak Portuguese confidently.
Here are ten fun ways to learn a language you can start putting into practice today:
Play Video Games
Millions of people around the world play video games every single day. Also, many popular games allow players to connect. So why not use that in your favor to explore different languages?
Playing with someone who doesn’t speak the same language as you forces you to communicate in that tongue. Besides, a fun game is engaging and helps you learn vocabulary and practice grammar with barely any effort.
Watch Dubbed Cartoons And Animations
If you are a fan of animations or cartoons, then you have another opportunity to learn a foreign language through them. Different programs will cover a variety of subjects and situations so you can learn any one language.
Besides, cartoons are fun. They make you laugh out loud and capture your full attention. There will always be a type of cartoon or anime to suit your preferences. Hence, they are a fun way to learn almost without noticing.
Watch TV Shows or Films in Your Target Language
Like watching cartoons and anime in a different language, TV shows and movies make a real difference for learners. They often have real-life situations and allow you to boost your learning process by having some contact with native speakers.
In the beginning, you can watch them with English subtitles or captions in your native language. As soon as possible, convert the subtitles into your target language.
This way, you won’t cling to your native tongue, which would hinder your learning. Studies showed that learners who applied this technique acquired their target language faster. They also had more fun and tolerated more foreign language input within a shorter period, fostering long-term progress.
Follow Native Speakers on Social Media
Social media offers a variety of free online resources to make language learning fun. Watching videos is a fun way to imprint new words in your brain and understand how to use them in other languages.
You can follow native speakers who create content that fits your interests, whether you love cooking, gardening, or history. Watch YouTube videos or watch fast-paced Instagram Reels to improve your listening skills. This way, you will get accustomed to the native accent, which will also help you pronounce words correctly.
Use Sticky Notes for Everything
Acquiring new vocabulary can be challenging, especially if you don’t use it daily. But, even if you have no natives around you, you can learn new vocabulary words quickly. Try using sticky notes to identify the things surrounding you in your home and workplace using your target language.
This way, you will incorporate it into your everyday tasks. For example, if you are learning French and use this sticky note method, you will be reminded that your computer is an ordinateur whenever you open it. With time, you will learn to associate the object with its name.
With this strategy, you can start to think in a foreign language without much effort. Despite learning seemingly random words, you will be building vocabulary that you will continue using every day.
Cook Recipes in Your Target Language
Cooking is one of the best ways to make learning a foreign language fun. You can try new recipes, explore various cuisines, and learn new languages, all at the same time.
Culinary instruction videos include specific vocabulary words and terminology. They also allow you to explore another side of grammar, often using the Imperative verb mode. And you can see an almost immediate outcome in the form of a delicious meal you can enjoy and share with your friends and family.
Get a Pet
Getting a pet is a fantastic way to practice speaking if you are shy or still in your first learning stages. It takes the pressure off of practicing. Of course, adopting a pet is a long-time commitment that requires love and patience. But with over half the world’s population already owning a pet, chances are you already have a potential language partner at home.
Your four-legged best friend will never judge you for messing up a verb tense or not remembering the right word. But they also won’t correct you or help you build new language skills. Thus, there will come a time when you will see that making new friends with native speakers is another incredible strategy.
Make New Friends
A language partner allows you to improve your listening skills and practice speaking. Regardless of the language you are learning, you will probably find someone near you who can speak your new language.
On the other hand, you don’t need to leave your house to find a native speaker. You can resort to language exchange sites, online forums, or online classes.
Read Children’s Books
Children’s books are easier to read and include common words you will use often in your target language. You can choose a book you already know or discover a new story from the countries where your target language comes from.
Discover 9 Secrets to Learn Portuguese (Portugal) Faster!
Read Articles About Your Favorite Topics
Besides improving your reading skills, you can learn more about what you love! Find articles that discuss the topics you are passionate about. You will learn a new language and explore specific vocabulary related to issues you most likely want to discuss.
Linking new languages with what you already know and appreciate will help build positive connections. Fun activities like this are especially valuable for people who decide to learn a language for professional reasons. They feel more motivated to carry on and reach a higher level of proficiency in topics that impact their job and prospects.
Think Outside The Box
Humans are creative by nature. It’s in us to imagine new ways and make them come true. Giving yourself the freedom to think outside the box in language learning makes all the difference. It is what will help you create a learning style for yourself without forcing yourself to adapt to standard school methods.
Thinking outside conventions also trains you for situations that require problem-solving. It impacts your whole learning experience and helps you overcome any challenges that come up. This approach fosters progress and motivates you to continue developing your target language.
Have you heard about The Journey? It is a European Portuguese program that uses science-based methods to keep you happy and motivated. It introduces the Portuguese culture and language through real-life dialogues. Get your 7-day free trial now!
Learn European Portuguese the Instinctive Way!
For the last decade, we’ve been working on putting together the best possible European Portuguese course. After much research, feedback from our students, and several iterations, we think we’ve got it! 😉
At the base of it all is a sound conviction that languages are better learned instinctively, so the process needs to engaging, varied, and enjoyable. Throughout, we used scientifically proven techniques to help you master pronunciation, phrase construction, oral understanding, grammar, and all the necessary bits to get you to fluency. And still, the whole thing is presented as an adventure. It’s a course like no other, trust us!
5 More Weird Strategies For Language Learners
Besides aiming for fun, you can also look into unconventional methods. These ways can improve your overall health and help you reach fluency faster. Here are five strategies you should add to your learning program:
Chewing Bubblegum
Are you starting a study session? Then, before you do, pop a bubblegum in your mouth and get chewing. Studies show that students who reviewed their notes while chewing bubblegum would remember more.
The pleasant flavor released by bubblegums creates a positive association with learning. Your experience will be more enjoyable, making it easier for you to acquire a foreign language. It increases alertness and cerebral blood flow. You will notice you can focus, process, and retain information more effectively.
Talk to Yourself
One of the best tips for language learners is speaking from the day they decide to learn a language. But you can feel insecure about using the new words you just discovered. Or you might not have someone to speak to. And it can feel weird to go online and exchange stories with a stranger.
That is why you can start by talking to yourself. Describing what you are doing, your plans for the week, or how your day went helps you train your brain to think in your target language. You can practice speaking anytime you want.
This strategy also helps you gain confidence and speak more naturally. Additionally, notice which aspects of speech are more challenging for you. This way, you can pinpoint the points to focus on in your language-learning journey.
HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)
A study showed that learners acquired vocabulary 20% faster after performing high-intensity exercises. These results are when compared to low-intensity exercise and no exercise at all. Other researchers have also concluded the positive impact of HIIT training on short and long-term memory.
Aerobic Exercises
Like HIIT, aerobics are a great way to boost your progress in a new language. Exercise increases your brain’s plasticity and ability to process and remember words. You can hear a podcast or music in your target language while exercising. Alternatively, practice aerobics right before or after your study session.
Drink Tea
Love a good cuppa? Then, you can use it to help you learn a new language. Besides drinking while studying, you can take tea breaks to keep yourself relaxed but focused. But different teas have distinct properties that either boost or slow your progress.
For example, a study showed peppermint and rosemary tea can enhance memory and mood. Other herbs like sage, ginseng, lemon balm, and ginkgo biloba also improve mental performance. Contrarily, lavender and chamomile are so relaxing they hinder the ability to focus and remember as much of what was studied.
Choose The Fun Way To Learn Languages
Learning a second language can seem like a daunting task. But with the right strategies, you can turn it into a fun and satisfying undertaking. Your options are endless, from playing video games to cooking, drinking tea, and exercising.
Which of these fun ways to learn a language will you try? Let us know in the comments below! Plus, share this post with your fellow language learners and help them reach fluency faster.
Despite the challenges, you can make your language learning journey fun and boost your progress! For more valuable content like this, follow us on social media and check out:
