Many Ways to Learn a Language. No Excuses Anymore!

Learning another language is a big step in successfully transitioning to another country. There are many ways to learn a language!

Arriving in Guatemala in October 2022 was a culture shock for us. Fortunately, we had English-speaking friends there. They had been in Guatemala for many years and spoke perfect Spanish. We had dabbled with Duolingo and did not really have a plan. I guess our plan was that we would absorb the language as we went along.

Our Guatemalan friends kindly arranged some Spanish lessons for us. Like any family, we exhibited varying degrees of enthusiasm and aptitude. Macy was clearly the star of the show. She had a head start as she had been the most diligent Duolingo student before our departure. Besides, Macy is very clever in general. Brenda also showed immediate aptitude.

Learning As a Family

It is interesting to watch how different people go about learning a language. Macy has tremendous retention capacity to create whatever sound is required. Brenda loves to talk and engage, and she does so relatively freely. Brenda just talks until she understands and is understood.

Clive also has a tremendous talent for information retention, though he takes a more reserved, conservative approach.

And then there is me. Before leaving NZ I had put a bit more effort into Duolingo (than Brenda or Clive), but I am uncertain if it showed. I struggled with different tones, both hearing and also making them. There is no tongue-rolling in the Australian accent (except after too many beers). I am still trying to perfect that one.

From Guatemala, we have spent considerable time in Nicaragua and Paraguay. We have noted marked differences in accents and language from one country to the other, even though all these countries are ‘Spanish speaking’.

For us, it was easier to understand the language in Guatemala and Nicaragua. The words seemed to be more clearly pronounced. Here in Paraguay, the language is a little more complicated as it is punctuated with the local Guarani language. This hybrid language is called ‘Jopara’. We are essentially learning a new language.

Added to the challenge of learning Guarani words, the Paraguayan way of speaking Spanish is shaped by the Guarani linguistic style. Paraguayans pronounce Spanish words differently (to say Guatemala or Nicaragua). To my dull ear, Paraguayan people seem to mumble. (I can only imagine what they think about my style!)

The Evolution of the Language Wolf Pack

In any family/group situation, there is a tendency for one person to be chattier in public than the others. Where language is an issue, the person who is the most comfortable and competent in speaking the language tends to take on that role. It so happens that in our family Brenda naturally tends to be chattier than me. Together with the fact that she is progressing well with her Spanish, I find I do less Spanish speaking in public than I should at times. 

Although this dynamic does get the job done, I concede it creates a kind of rut in my language development journey. 

Also, when traveling in a group you invariably talk in your known language. This creates a kind of insulated bubble that is not always helpful in learning a new language. Clearly, in terms of immersion in the language, those traveling alone might be better off as they have limited opportunities to not speak their new language.

What the Experts say

There is a lot of differing information online about the best way to learn a new language, however, there’s common themes among experts concerning what you should do when approaching your language journey. 

1. Use the Language from Day One

Try to talk to each other in the chosen language from day 1.

In one YouTube video, two guys go to four different countries and commit to speaking nothing but the local language for three months (in each country). After three months they were enjoying functional conversations with local people. Four languages in twelve months, not bad at all!

2. Think and Talk Like a Baby

When you were learning your native language you did not use a textbook. You wanted something (let’s say you wanted your Teddy) – you looked at Teddy – mum observed you looking at Teddy – mum said ‘Teddy?’ – you smiled – mum gave Teddy to you.

Your baby brain did not see the letters T-E-D-D-Y. Instead, your brain had the image of Teddy and stored the sound that was associated with control over that furry thing. When you made the noise ‘Teddy’ the furry thing was handed to you. The brain – eyes – ears – mouth connection was created concerning Teddy.

How we make these connections depend on our individual learning styles. For me, I prefer to see the word spelt out. I then listen, then try to speak the language.

3. Create your Spanish (or new language) Persona

I have heard it said when learning a new language it is good to create an internal alter ego that you invoke when speaking the new language. I know this sounds a bit woo-woo, but I think there might be something in this.

When I listen to Spanish, in my imagination there is a theatrical kind of tone to it. It is like the speaker is performing. I do not mean this in a derogatory way; I love listening to Spanish speakers. However, when I speak Spanish, sometimes a part of me feels like am being false and putting on a performance. And if I spoke like this in front of people ‘back home’ I imagine they would laugh at me. I would look foolish, or at least I would feel as though I did. This is all about my head-rattles and I suspect many older people might feel this way (or maybe just weird ones like me).

I can’t help but feel that a lifetime of listening to flat, dull Australian tones has left me with a kind of tonal disability.

Interestingly, I think it depends on the language. I wonder if certain people are more suited to certain languages. Perhaps your personality does play a role in what language suits you best. 

Recently, I have tried my hand at speaking German. We have made some good German friends here and for some reason, I like listening and attempting to speak German. I have no idea why, but I find German as a language, humorous. To my ear, the words are often dramatic and full of emotion. They are fun to listen to and to speak. 

To my surprise, I am finding German easier to learn and speak. I am far more confident with German than I am with Spanish. I have more confidence in speaking German so my retention seems to be better. Maybe all those years of watching Hogans Heroes has paid off!

4. Focus on the Basics

It’s commonly cited that you only require a few thousand words to speak 80% of a language. I am sure this differs depending on the language, but without a doubt, a limited amount of the right words can get you a long way.

Qroo Paul is a popular YouTuber and self-taught Spanish speaker. His method of learning was to not look at words in isolation but rather group them into useful passages. In a short amount of time, he achieved functional language acquisition.

 ‘Sorry, I do not speak much Spanish’

 ‘How much is this?’

 ‘Thank you?’

 ‘I want?’

 ‘Can you?’

 ‘Where is?’

5. Relax and Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

Simple, huh! But when you are surrounded by people, holding up the line of customers and trying to explain that you need a kilo and half of premium mince… it is not so easy. You just need to get over yourself. Smile, take a breath, tell them you know only a little of the language, and keep trying. Consider it to be a free language lesson.

6. Do Not Try to Remember All the Rules

Unless you are a complete geek you would not be aware of many of the rules that underpin your native language. So do not even try to learn another language by learning the rules.

7. Immerse Yourself in the Language 

Every language has its unique tone, and cadence. When I listen to Spanish I hear odd words that I recognize, but I am hearing these words in puddles of words that I do not comprehend. But listening without understanding is subliminally training my brain to associate those known words with these other words. My baby brain is absorbing these sounds, and in time the unknown words that surround the known words will become known to me. At least, that’s the plan!

The ‘System’ I Have Settled On

Everyone comes up with their own method. Many people I have spoken to have had great success with Duolingo alone. I do use Duolingo but I find the game style of the app to be a bit tiresome.

After doing quite a bit of research on the best online options I have come up with a strategy that suits me.

When it comes to language learning I confess, I have a low span of attention. For this reason, I have adopted a multi-layered approach.

LingQ.com

The LingQ is an online platform that involves reading and listening. You read stories containing words that appear again and again in subsequent stories. The idea is eventually you absorb the words and how they sound. The platform also allows you to create phrases. I appreciate having a structure for my learning journey. Every day I am trying to do an hour or more of LingQ. The program keeps track of words that I have read and allows me to mark them as I gradually recognize them.

What I appreciate about LingQ is that it keeps track of and manages my words for me. Every time I go back to the site I know which words I have read, others that I know, and others that I am yet to study. I use it as my language case management system.

If you are interested in trying LingQ for free here is a link LingQ.com.

We do earn a small commission from the referral link but that does not impact the price that you would pay if you chose to sign up for the paid Lingq program. 

Anki.net

This is an awesome, free flashcard tool. You can go to a site download 1000’s of flashcards and just start learning. Anki also has audio so you are absorbing the written and spoken words at the same time. Anki can be used for learning anything and it is a favorite tool for serious learners.

You can download the app at https://ankiweb.net/. Then go to Shared Decks – AnkiWeb and select your preferred language and the deck\s of flashcards that you want to download.

Duolingo

When I get bored of the others I jump onto Duolingo and try to jump a level or 2. It is definitely a great platform.

Podcasts and Youtube

I listen to random podcasts and YouTube in German and Spanish. I do believe that actually watching people speak the target language is best because there is a lot to learn from the way people move their lips and face. If you think about it, when someone says something that you do not recognize you instinctively look at them intently as they repeat it. Subliminally you are studying the movement of their lips, mouth, and face to get clues of how they are making the sounds.

I am pleased with how this is going and plan to be basically conversational in a few months. 

Regardless, I am also still plowing on with my Spanish. I will get there eventually, and funnily enough, I feel my learning German will also help with my Spanish. Breaking out of the English mold is happening, little by little. I am learning to become comfortable with hearing my voice speak a different language.

No Time Like the Present

As a language learner, we live in blessed times. We can mix/match whatever tools we like. Whatever way we go, the sooner we start the sooner we progress.

Step by step, we slowly inch forward. Learning a language is a marathon, but one worth running. Google Translate is awesome, but it will only get you so far.

 We have to get off our backsides, put our egos aside, and force those neural pathways to do as they are told!

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