5 fun ways to learn a language
Have you always wanted to learn a new language or brush up on the German you learnt all those years ago at GCSE? Why not use this extra time at home to do just that! Here are 5 fun ways you can learn a language.
1) Download a language learning app
Apps like Duolingo, Memrise and Hellotalk are fantastic for people to learn languages at all levels. You can do anything from learning new vocabulary with virtual flashcards to learning to put full sentences together that you can practise when you finally get away on your post-lockdown holiday!
Here’s a great list of apps to choose from!
2) Watch foreign-language series
There are so many foreign-language series on streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and All4 that you can get stuck into if you have a basic level and want to improve your fluency.
You’ll find everything from chilling crime dramas to light-hearted reality TV in lots of languages. To get you started on a new series, our Project Manager Luke has recommended his top 9 foreign language series that you can find on various streaming platforms .
Also, if you’re a trendsetter and already have Disney+, why not watch your favourite Disney film but change the language, so you know what’s happening and can still follow.
3) Read children’s books
Reading children’s books or learning nursery rhymes is a fantastic, fun way of learning phrases and sentences in your new language.
There are so many children’s books in different languages available online, so you can read them on your laptop or tablet without even having to order anything. Look at websites with lots of stories on like this Spanish one.
4) Listen to songs
As well as children’s books in other languages there are lots of websites where you can find children’s songs in other languages. Listening to them and singing along using websites like this one will really help with your pronunciation.
If you’re a bit further along with your learning, search for artists who sing in the language you’re trying to learn and listen to their songs on your music streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music.
Better still, find the music videos on Youtube with lyrics on them, so you can sing along too!
5) Set your devices to your new language
When you’re gaining a bit more confidence, take the plunge and change the language settings on all of your devices. You’ll soon start to immerse yourself in the language and will learn all the words for the menus and other tech terms without really thinking about it.
