Any language learner knows that the only thing that they really need to succeed is time. Lots of and lots of free time that they can dedicate to accomplishing their learning goals. Most of us have pretty busy schedules that don’t allow to allocate sufficient time needed to master a foreign language.
But what if you could learn a language without cutting time for your usual daily activities? It’s certainly possible if you apply creativity and planning! The big secret is to embed language learning activities into your daily schedule without interrupting or interfering with them.
There are many ways to do that, and if you want to know what they are, check out the rest of the article. You’ll see that learning a language on a busy schedule isn’t magic, but a matter of time.
1. Listen to Podcasts
Podcasts, whether designed specifically for language learning or entertainment, are a popular way to learn a language. For example, they provide the much-needed practice of listening skills, help to build vocabulary by introducing new words, and become familiar with different styles of speech. Besides, not everyone has an opportunity to listen to native speakers.
They also have one major advantage for busy language learners: the convenience. One can listen to a podcast anytime, anywhere! For example, you can listen to podcasts:
that include your interests.
2. Hack Your Gadgets to Use a Foreign Language
Many everyday objects that you come into contact with can be great helpers with language learning as well. For example, switch your computer, tablet, smart TV, gaming system, or smartphone to the language you’re learning and you’ll expose your brain to a lot of new words and phrases every day. As the result, you can enrich your vocabulary without doing anything that would take some time off your schedule.
3. Use Smartphone Apps
Apps are another powerful way to embed language learning into your daily routine because you can open them in a couple of clicks and start learning whenever you can. Given the abundance of language learning apps out there, you’ll have to trouble finding one that suits you.
To take advantage of this convenient method, go to an online app store supported by your system (Google Play, App Store etc.), and try searching for keywords like “language learning” or “NAME OF THE LANGUAGE learning.” You’ll discover a plethora of options, so read their descriptions and try some to see what they can give you.
And, of course, try to use them once you have a chance. Language lessons cover grammar, vocabulary, and many other important areas, and are typically short (3-5 minutes), so the only things required are your desire and consistency.
4. Write When You Have Free Time
Writing in a foreign language reinforces your vocabulary and helps to practice your grammar skills, so finding a way to incorporate this activity into your routine is a must. Throughout the day, you have lots of opportunities to practice writing. Commuting is one of them. If you have to commute to get to work/college, use this time to write.
You don’t have to have a prepared topic to practice. You can write about how your day has been like so far, choose some topics from lessons you took on your smartphone, or just write about something that interests you. Then, save that text and analyze it for grammar, punctuation, word selection, idea flow, and other characteristics later. A second look may reveal the mistakes you didn’t notice the first time.
One more thing: you don’t have to have a pen and paper to write! Feel free to use your smartphone’s word processor or a note taking app. They’ll make it easier to check grammar and spelling on your computer, which can be done effectively with Ginger Software.
4. Try to Write Down New Words
It’s a known fact that writing things down improves learning. According to Dr. Helen Macpherson of Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition at Deakin University who recently gave an interview to Huffington Post, when people write by hand, they have to coordinate verbal and fine movement systems.
"And when we learn new information, for example at school or in a university lecture, we don’t write verbatim, which means we have to create our own summaries and concepts,” explains Dr. Macpherson.
But what if you could learn a language without cutting time for your usual daily activities? It’s certainly possible if you apply creativity and planning! The big secret is to embed language learning activities into your daily schedule without interrupting or interfering with them.
There are many ways to do that, and if you want to know what they are, check out the rest of the article. You’ll see that learning a language on a busy schedule isn’t magic, but a matter of time.
1. Listen to Podcasts
Podcasts, whether designed specifically for language learning or entertainment, are a popular way to learn a language. For example, they provide the much-needed practice of listening skills, help to build vocabulary by introducing new words, and become familiar with different styles of speech. Besides, not everyone has an opportunity to listen to native speakers.
They also have one major advantage for busy language learners: the convenience. One can listen to a podcast anytime, anywhere! For example, you can listen to podcasts:
- While commuting
- While eating
- While cooking
- While running errands that don’t require a lot of attention
- While waiting.
that include your interests.
2. Hack Your Gadgets to Use a Foreign Language
Many everyday objects that you come into contact with can be great helpers with language learning as well. For example, switch your computer, tablet, smart TV, gaming system, or smartphone to the language you’re learning and you’ll expose your brain to a lot of new words and phrases every day. As the result, you can enrich your vocabulary without doing anything that would take some time off your schedule.
3. Use Smartphone Apps
Apps are another powerful way to embed language learning into your daily routine because you can open them in a couple of clicks and start learning whenever you can. Given the abundance of language learning apps out there, you’ll have to trouble finding one that suits you.
To take advantage of this convenient method, go to an online app store supported by your system (Google Play, App Store etc.), and try searching for keywords like “language learning” or “NAME OF THE LANGUAGE learning.” You’ll discover a plethora of options, so read their descriptions and try some to see what they can give you.
And, of course, try to use them once you have a chance. Language lessons cover grammar, vocabulary, and many other important areas, and are typically short (3-5 minutes), so the only things required are your desire and consistency.
4. Write When You Have Free Time
Writing in a foreign language reinforces your vocabulary and helps to practice your grammar skills, so finding a way to incorporate this activity into your routine is a must. Throughout the day, you have lots of opportunities to practice writing. Commuting is one of them. If you have to commute to get to work/college, use this time to write.
You don’t have to have a prepared topic to practice. You can write about how your day has been like so far, choose some topics from lessons you took on your smartphone, or just write about something that interests you. Then, save that text and analyze it for grammar, punctuation, word selection, idea flow, and other characteristics later. A second look may reveal the mistakes you didn’t notice the first time.
One more thing: you don’t have to have a pen and paper to write! Feel free to use your smartphone’s word processor or a note taking app. They’ll make it easier to check grammar and spelling on your computer, which can be done effectively with Ginger Software.
4. Try to Write Down New Words
It’s a known fact that writing things down improves learning. According to Dr. Helen Macpherson of Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition at Deakin University who recently gave an interview to Huffington Post, when people write by hand, they have to coordinate verbal and fine movement systems.
"And when we learn new information, for example at school or in a university lecture, we don’t write verbatim, which means we have to create our own summaries and concepts,” explains Dr. Macpherson.
So, try to write down new words and phrases while listening to podcasts and language lessons and doing other exercises. This activity will force yourself to pay attention and enhance your learning.
Feel free to apply these techniques in your daily life, and before you know it, “my schedule doesn’t allow me to learn languages” will become “Check out the amazing progress I’m making!”
Audrey Pilcher is a passionate blogger and freelance writer at College-paper.org. Being engaged in numerous international internships during studies, she gained invaluable experience. Since then Audrey was willing to share it with others. Therefore she became an article writer on studying, self-growth issues. You can check her last publications on A-Writer.
Feel free to apply these techniques in your daily life, and before you know it, “my schedule doesn’t allow me to learn languages” will become “Check out the amazing progress I’m making!”
Audrey Pilcher is a passionate blogger and freelance writer at College-paper.org. Being engaged in numerous international internships during studies, she gained invaluable experience. Since then Audrey was willing to share it with others. Therefore she became an article writer on studying, self-growth issues. You can check her last publications on A-Writer.
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