It’s the end of the year and a time for celebration! It’s also a time for reflection for looking back at the New Year’s resolutions you made last year without trying to shiver. Whether they are gathering dust in a drawer, or you achieved all your goals, there is always room for improvement. 

So, if you want to learn a new language as a New Year’s resolution, or you are intending to get back on track with a language you already have been studying, now is a great time to do so! 

1.Set Realistic Goals 

It is much easier to say that you will run a ten mile-marathon, learn salsa, and become fluent in Italian all in the space of one year than to actually do all of those things. If you feel like you can do all those things with ease, then don’t let me stop you! However, it is much better to do a small amount of learning each day rather than hours of study in one day and then burn out. 

Committing yourself to 30 minutes of learning Spanish each day, or just a few times a week, will be much more effective in the long run than learning 8 hours on a Saturday and then not looking at Spanish for weeks on end. 

2.Get Organised and Set Deadlines 

Organisation is key to achieving your goals. Although saying that you will start to learn French this year is a great start, how will you? Define clear goals that you know you can work towards achieving e.g. “I want to be able to have a basic conversation in French by the end of the year.” Then you know that you need to work on your speaking skills, to practice your vocabulary, and to perhaps find a French course where you can practice with other people and a teacher. 

Set deadlines for yourself, make yourself a language learning routine, and throw out any materials that are not working for you. If you decide you would like to work on your speaking skills this year, schedule a time per week where you are practicing with a speaking partner. 

3.Immerse Yourself 

Although active study is an important part of studying a language, there are also other ways to learn as well. While going to the country of the language you are learning is a great way to immerse yourself, there are many ways to do so in your own home! Why not change the default language of a video game and pick up some Spanish while playing Animal Crossing? Find some Spanish playlists on Spotify to listen to on your commute. 

Additionally, language classes are a great way to have immersion in a foreign language. You have the chance to practice speaking with your peers and teacher, and you can study as long as you like or need to. We currently offer both French, Spanish and English classes. 

4.Refresh Your Language Learning Routine 

It’s a New Year and a new you! Why not spice up your routine a little? If you have been learning a language for a while, you may find that you do not need the websites or books that you started with anymore. Throw out any resources that you have outgrown, and perhaps even challenge yourself with podcasts that are outside of your comfort zone. 

As you grow as a learner, you will need to change and adapt to find a new routine that matches your rising language level. This way, you will not get bored of learning a language and it will be easier to overcome any plateaus you may face. 

5.Have Fun 

Remember why you started learning the language in the first place. Maybe it was because you were hoping to move to that new country, or for work, or because you were interested in another culture. Learning a language is not all about keeping your head in the books. Enjoy the culture of that language! Watch foreign films, go out and try the cuisine, listen to music! 

If you want to reach a high level of fluency in a new language, it is important to realise that it will not happen overnight. It takes commitment and time. Burning out too quickly when you are very excited about learning a new language can happen very easily. Enjoy the journey, laugh at your mistakes, and remember to have fun! 

Additionally, a great way to regularly study a language, meet other people, and to effectively learn a language is by taking a class. It is a great way to commit to a language by taking a class once a week, and to practice your speaking and writing skills with a professional teacher who is keen on helping you achieve your goals. If you are interested in taking a class, consider studying with us!