3 Effortless Strategies to Make Your Language Journey Fun and Simple, Even if You Don’t Have Time
How to make time for language learning
Are you employed full-time and struggling to make time for learning your target language? Or perhaps you don’t feel like studying or are stressed to master a new language.
Well, we’re in the same boat.
Your days will always be packed with to-do lists. But, you can still accelerate your language journey with these lazy tips. No need to dedicate hours to studying, reviewing flashcards, or disrupting your work hours. It’s all about simplicity and laziness.
Let’s take a look.
1. Incorporate Input Activities into Your Daily Routine
When you’re going through a morning routine — whether it’s preparing breakfast, jogging, or grabbing a coffee — try incorporating listening to your favorite podcast or music in your target language. While listening, don’t strain your brain to understand everything comprehensively. Let it flow with the current. Whenever you come across phrases or vocabulary that struck you, jot them down.
If you’re not willing to disrupt your morning routine, take a look at your timetable and slot in your listening or reading time alongside your portable tasks. Maybe you have empty time after lunch or dinner; try filling it with listening to podcasts or reading in your target language.
For instance, before drowning in work tasks by 07:34, I usually listen to a new episode of “The Cottage Fairy,” “Lana Blakely,” or “Al-Jazeera English” while having breakfast or cooking. The duration is around 10 minutes.
2. Engage in Compelling Content
“Content is king. Finding compelling content is the key to language learning success.” (Steve Kaufman)
Why?
Because it keeps learners motivated and engaged for the long run, whether it’s literature, real-life topics, or just everyday conversation. It will engage you more effectively than going to a classroom. Your brain will concentrate better on noticing the language, getting used to new sounds, and exploring new ways to express ideas and feelings.
Start with content that you are passionate about and appropriate for your level.
This approach truly works for me. I don’t need to pay for a course to improve my English skills. I focus on actively listening to meaningful content on YouTube and reading poetry books because I’m fond of poetry. As my English grew stronger, my reading books turned to novels by popular writers, such as Haruki Murakami, Dr. Julie Smith, Sally Rooney, etc.
The outcome has surprised me. Two years of implementing this approach have proven to be more valuable than the five years spent in high school. In the initial stages of my learning journey, I began by consuming TEDx Talks to acquire the language. However, I found them uninteresting and stressful, as they didn’t align well with my English level.
3. Finding a Partner
Learning a language is free. You can access various lessons on the Internet without hiring a personal teacher. However, it can be a lonely journey, and finding a partner is one of the effective ways to make your learning fun and effortless.
Simply sit and have a conversation with a friend who also speaks your target language. Whether it’s discussing your feelings, daily activities, or work, having someone to converse with can greatly aid your progress. Alternatively, you can join a language community and engage in effortless conversation by simply responding to their texts.
This happened when I was feeling moody about maintaining my language skills. During our conversation, my friend spoke English, and automatically, I responded in the same manner without paying attention to grammar rules. From this experience, I concluded that English is embedded in me subconsciously, regardless of my mood. This is also influenced by my environment.
Conclusion
By incorporating input activities into your daily routine, engaging with compelling content, and finding a language partner, you can make progress in your language journey without dedicating excessive time and feel less stressed. It can lead to significant improvements in your level.
Best wishes,
Marisa
