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The Ultimate Guide to Language Learning Success

Easy and Effective Tips for Every Level

Table of Contents

A Quick Introduction to the Guide

This guide is meant for anyone who wants to improve their language-learning skills. It starts by outlining the basics you need to get started and later focuses on how to improve from the level you’re currently at. I’ve tried to make it as helpful and informative as possible for all language-learning levels.

Where to Start?

To learn a new language, it is best to focus the alphabet and writing system first.

Start by learning complete sentences, not just words and vocabulary because you will immediately get a deeper feel and understanding of the language.

Then learn the basic words and how and when to use them. Get a booklet with a list of the 100-750 most important words. Learn the present tense verbs, follow with past and future tense verbs, but keep it simple.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  • Writing System and Alphabet 
  • Basic Syntax: Greetings and Common Phrases
  • Words and Phrases: Put every word you learn in a sentence: Numbers, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Prepositions, Adverbs

Building on the Basics: Weekly Goals (Invest 15–30 Minutes a Day, but Make It Fun)

This is your to-do list to guarantee long term consisnent improvement. You can spread these can be spread across the week and focus on one to do list at the time. . Don’t overwhealm yourself. 

Listen to 1 episode of a podcast

It can be language-learning related (beginners), but it can also simply be a podcast recorded in your target language (intermediate-advanced). This depends on your CEFR level.

Watch 2 Episodes of Your Favorite TV-Show

Beginners: There are many kids’ TV shows in different languages on YouTube that you can watch for free.

Intermediates: Watch a series you are already familiar with.

Advanced: Watch episodes of a TV show you’re currently watching, but for the first time in your target language or start a completely new series.

Learn, Translate and Sing Along to 3 Songs

Find a playlist on Spotify or songs on YouTube. Turn on the lyrics option to skim the text first, then sing along. If you don’t feel like singing feel free to write a  transcription.

Write 4 Short Texts

Start a journal in your target language. You can write about your day or also short fictional stories or simply elaborate on a thought you have to clear your head. 
More on how to journal later (or skip to it right now by clicking here).

Conjugate 5 Verbs in Your Target Language

Beginners: Start by conjugating basic regular verbs.

Intermediates: Conjugate 3 regular verbs and 2 irregular verbs.

Advanced: Conjugate irregular verbs and less commonly used verbs to further raise your language level.

Read 20 Pages 

Highlight the words you don’t know and translate them or try to find synonyms.

Beginners: Focus on A1–A2 level books or children’s books.

Intermediates: Focus mainly on B1–B2 level books. When you’re motivated, jump up to a C1 book; on low-energy days, choose A2-level books or books you’ve already read in your native language.

Advanced: Stick to C1–C2 level books (though you can absolutely pick a B2 book if it interests you).

Learn 40 New Words 

Beginners: Focus on basic vocabulary.

Intermediates: Review basic words occasionally and add B1/B2 vocabulary.

Advanced: Review B1/B2 vocabulary and continuously add C1/C2 words.

Language Learning Activities Based On Your Preferences: Quick Overview

  • Read your favorite books in the target language.
  • Watch your favorite TV shows and movies in the target language.
  • Get a pen pal to practice: you can send text messages, make phone calls, and send voice messages.
  • Have someone quiz you or get a language learning app.
  • Follow YouTubers of the target language.
  • Read newspaper and magazine articles.
  • Plan a trip to the country where the target. language is spoken.
  • Get an exercise book.
  • Keep a journal in the language you want to learn.

Extra: How to Write a Journal in Your Target Language

Journaling helps you see your progress over time and note what vocabulary is missing from your vocabulary and the words you use the most when you express yourself. It is a way to fully immerse yourself in a language and to think in the target language.

After a while it should come naturally to express yourself in the language. To really improve, go back to previous entries and correct any mistakes you have made. This shows how much you have learned.

What Should I Write About Tho? 
  1. Write about your day and summarize it. 
  2. Write down your thoughts, both negative and positive.
  3. Respond to some prompts to make the journal more engaging.
  4. Write about your language learning progress. 

A Quick Outro and Final Thoughts

I hope this was useful. I based it on my own language-learning journey and the things that helped me improve a little bit every day (or at least I’d like to think so).

Lots of love, and see you soon.
Sabrina <3