Beginners: 5 Steps to Learn a Language

For those unsure how to spend their study time

Beginners often don’t know how to learn a language.

Next week, I have some new online group classes starting up for French and Spanish learners. Many of the beginner students have been asking me about how to spend their self-study time outside of class. Should they use an app? Listen to podcasts? Something else entirely?

Below you’ll find a simple 5-day schedule to follow as a beginner. Email/message me if you have any questions.

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Mondays: Use a structured course

Sign up for a structured group class or use a structured self-study resource.

Email/message me if you would like recommendations for self-study courses to use for the language you’re learning.

Tuesdays: Work on listening and/or reading comprehension

Use resources that interest you and are at your level (i.e., you understand the majority of the content.) Look up new words and phrases in a translator or dictionary as needed.

Email/message me if you would like recommendations for reading/listening comprehension resources for the language you’re learning.

Wednesdays: Work on grammar

There are two ways to study grammar: deductively or inductively.

• An inductive approach does not require you to do any formal grammar study - what matters most is reading and listening to lots of interesting content at your level

• A deductive approach will require you to do formal grammar study by learning grammar rules and doing practice exercises

This video explains the difference between the two approaches. I personally use a mix of both when learning a language.

Email/message me if you have any questions about either approach or if you would like any grammar resources for the language you’re learning.

Thursdays: Practice speaking

This can be done by talking to yourself, a language exchange partner, a friend, or a tutor.

Email/message me if you would like help finding someone to talk to or if you would like extra guidance on how to use self-talk to improve your speaking ability.

Fridays: Write

I particularly like this video by Lindie Botes who explains how to practice writing at home and what to write about. I also like this video by Steve Kaufmann who talks about why one should write.

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One question remains: how much time should you spend per day?

Here’s a simple guideline:

• Very intense: 90 minutes a day

• Intense: 60 minutes a day

• Moderate: 30 minutes a day

• Casual: 15 minutes a day

If you’re interested in seeing a chart that outlines how long it takes on average to reach different levels of proficiency, email/message me.

You’re welcome to personalize the 5-day schedule I outlined above.

Stick to the schedule for a couple of months. After that, feel free to spend more time on the types of learning activities you enjoy the most and/or that you find the most helpful.

Happy learning! I wish you all the best.