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Where to start when learning a new language? Learning French, Spanish or German can seem difficult at first: should you start with grammar or basic phrases? But with the right methods, it's easy and fun. The important thing is to follow the right steps to acquire a good foundation. In our opinion, these are the steps you need to take to start learning a new language.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE

Before learning a language: think about your goals

Before you start, it's important to know why you want to learn this language. Is it to travel, to work, or simply for curiosity? Having a clear goal will help you stay motivated throughout your learning process. Learning a new language is quite a challenge, so you better have a good reason to do it!

What's more, knowing why you want to learn a language will help you stay focused and motivated, while helping you customize your learning. If you're learning a language for work, it will be essential to introduce vocabulary linked to your professional field. If you're learning a foreign language for travel, then speaking with native speakers or qualified teachers will be essential!

ChoosE the right resources

As we often tell you, it's important to vary your learning methods and resources. But why? Quite simply to avoid learning a language by focusing on just one aspect of it. Can you really become bilingual through writing alone? Not very likely. So before you start learning a new language, it's a good idea to make a list of possible resources, depending on your learning method.

• Resources for written expression: grammar books and manuals, online courses and exercises (like SAPERE), writing e-mails or diary entries...
• Resources for oral expression: Global Lingua online courses, self-recording, joining a language conversation group... 
• Resources for written comprehension: mobile apps such as Duolingo, Babbel or Memrise, read books while noting down the vocabulary you've learned...
• Resources for oral comprehension: Online videos on YouTube, podcasts and music in the target language, films and TV series (with or without subtitles).
• Vocabulary resources: Babbel, Duolingo, SAPERE's personalized lexical field, flashcards, post-its…

For fast, effective learning, we recommend online lessons with a qualified teacher. He or she will be able to guide you through the learning process, especially if you're starting from scratch! By talking to him or her, you'll be able to check what you've learned, make sure you're not making the same mistakes again, or learn new things over a shaky foundation. Then, between lessons, take the time to supplement your lessons with the resources listed above.

Using a variety of resources will help you make faster progress. But remember, we all have different ways of learning! Some people retain better when writing, while others need to repeat it aloud to themselves. Varying resources can also help you find your learning style. Try out several options to see what works best for you.

Start with useful lessons for a solid foundation

Do you know what's the hardest thing about starting to learn a language? Realizing that you don't have enough knowledge or vocabulary to start a simple conversation. That's why we advise you to find out about the vocabulary most commonly used in everyday life or most appropriate for your job, as well as the most useful phrases, such as: 

• Greetings (hello, how are you, goodbye, thank you...)
• Simple phrases to introduce yourself
• Vocabulary for talking about the weather and your hobbies
• Numbers and colors

Knowing a few basics will help you communicate quickly and avoid frustration. Of course, you can't learn a language by only memorizing ready-made phrases... But these few words will give you self-confidence! If you want to take your learning further, ask your teacher to break down the phrases you already know. This allows you to work on conjugation, vocabulary and intonation...

Regular practice for long-term learning

There's no secret! Practice is the key to progress. As we all know, the early stages of language learning are difficult: progress seems non-existent and the quantity of things to learn seems gigantic. But it's when you start learning a language that you need to develop good habits. Try to study and practice every day, even if it's only for 10 or 15 minutes. You'll see, it'll help you retain vocabulary and certain grammar rules more quickly. Not to mention that it will quickly become a habit! 

To review a little every day, you can : 

• Use foreign language learning apps like Babbel or Duolingo
• Make flashcards for yourself to look at regularly
• Watch films or series with subtitles
• Read simple articles on subjects you enjoy
• Talk to native speakers on apps like HelloTalk

To make sure you practice regularly without getting bored, it's important to have fun while you learn. Play games in the language you're learning, take online quizzes, listen to music, watch funny videos, or cook recipes from the culture of the language you're learning.

Don't be afraid of mistakes

Making mistakes is normal and part of the learning process. It should never demotivate you or make you want to stop learning. If you make mistakes, it means you dare to step out of your comfort zone to make progress: that's a good thing! Don't be afraid to speak up, even if it's not perfect. The more you practice, the better you'll get.

This is where online courses can help. Teachers are used to talking to students, and they know when it's necessary to point out mistakes to make progress, and when it's more worthwhile to let a few missteps slide. We want to make sure that the student feels confident enough to speak, not that he loses all self-confidence. 

Find a language partner

In addition to a qualified teacher who can guide you in your conversations, it can also be useful to talk to someone who is learning the same language. It's a good way to encourage each other, and to have someone (gently) remind you that it's time to study. If there's no one in your circle of friends who wants to learn the same language as you, it's possible to do online language exchanges or join discussion groups.

Start learning a language without giving up: stay motivated and patient

It's well known and often repeated: learning a language takes time. Don't expect to become bilingual in 3 months. On the contrary, it's better to set realistic goals and take the opportunity to celebrate your small victories. Have you learned 50 new vocabulary words? Have you managed to introduce yourself without fumbling for words? Sent an e-mail without making mistakes? Reward yourself! 

Patience is also essential if you are not to become discouraged. Don't be too hard on yourself.

By following these few steps, you can learn a new language effectively and enjoyably. It can be a long process, but the most important thing is to practice regularly and never give up. If you need a helping hand to start learning a new language, contact Global Lingua for online lessons! It's the perfect way to boost your learning journey!