Joy School English blog

Learn a Language at Home! It's Easier Than You Think

September 29, 2021 | English Learning, Language

Dust off your brain and learn a new language! It’s as easy as sitting on the couch.

We all know that learning a second language comes with a giant pile of perks: boosted brainpower, sharper memory, improved employment prospects, an expanded worldview, increased opportunities for meaningful connections, and more and more! We all know these benefits, so why aren’t we all learning languages?

Our list of reasons (excuses?) can feel as long as the list of benefits. We may feel we don’t have the time, the brains, the patience, or the know-how to start. Learning another language can feel so overwhelming!

Take a breath. Find 5 minutes. You can do it.

Here at Alegra Learning, we focus on teaching English to young children. However, we believe that it’s never too late to learn another language and that the best day to start is today. With so many resources right at our fingertips–many of which didn’t even exist 5 years ago!–anyone with an ounce of desire and 5 extra minutes can do it. All without ever leaving your home.

Or your couch.

Carter Durham, our Chief Creative Officer and self-proclaimed linguaphile, was recently invited to offer some expert advice on learning a language at home. ( Check out the whole article here! ) Carter is trilingual and comfortable in several additional languages, most of which he learned in spare minutes around the house. He suggests that you only need 3 things to learn a language at home–and they're all things you probably already have.

According to Carter, to learn a foreign language from your couch, you only need an internet connection, a little time, and a boost of motivation.

1. INTERNET CONNECTION

Once you have a device (tablet, phone, computer, whatever!) and the internet, you have all of the resources you could ever need at your fingertips, particularly free ones. Some of the best language learning apps are free, as are Youtube videos, articles, Google Translate, and more. Find resources that are fun, stimulating, and worthwhile for you.

“I always try to get a good mix of reading, listening, writing, and speaking,” Carter advises, “and there are countless free resources available to work on all of those.”

If you’re starting from zero, use language-learning apps to build your vocabulary, use videos or podcasts to learn pronunciation and build listening skills, and get as much authentic input as you can. Read books, news articles, social media, and blog posts aloud!

2. TIME

And what about the time commitment to learn another language when you “don’t have” spare time? Well, you likely have a lot more time in your day than you think, tucked away in pockets of 5 or 10 minutes...or perhaps in 45-minute chunks of mindless Netflix bingeing. (Guilty!)

Even 5 minutes of language practice a day makes a huge difference in the long run. Start with 5 and you’ll be understanding and speaking faster than you ever thought possible.

3. MOTIVATION

As Carter says, “If you want to learn the language, you absolutely can. But you gotta want it. To stay motivated, be consistent, find fun, stimulating resources, and make connections with other speakers.”

Carter says. “Don’t get overwhelmed by the vastness of the language or stress about the grammar. With practice, it will come.”

Carter recommends reaching out to native speakers wanting to learn your language on language exchange platforms. That way you both benefit from the experience, each learning the other’s language. Most importantly, you get a chance to connect and to SPEAK! ( Check out more about the importance of SPEAKING when learning a language HERE.)

The more success you feel, the more motivated you are to continue. As you establish a habit with a consistent 5-10 minutes a day and find resources that you find fun, stimulating, and worthwhile, you’ll stay motivated to continue learning. Remember, every word and phrase learned is a victory! Learning a language is what is beneficial, not just knowing a language.

Phew. Now that sounds doable! Grab your phone and claim the couch. Let’s start with 5 minutes.