Languages open doors to new places, perspectives, connections, and possibilities. But learning a language is tough—especially without daily exposure, like through family or work.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to learning a language. In addition to more common learning methods, you can spice up the learning by combining your interests. How about singing karaoke or creating poems in your target language? Or writing with a native-speaker penpal or participating on a language retreat? Experiment to see what works best for you.
“Chuchichäschtli” (kitchen cabinet door) is a classic Swiss-German tongue twister. Here it’s sprayed on an actual cabinet door that had been left on the street.
I’ve experienced first-hand difficulties with languages, when trying to understand Swiss German and learn standard German here in Switzerland. Learning standard German first is recommended, to get a strong foundation and to understand formal writings. So you end up trying to learn a language, without hearing it in everyday life, because people around you speak Swiss German, which sounds very different.
10 language learning methods I’ve tested —see if any work for you too
1. Language schools and tutors
I’ve been taking courses in four different language schools and had nine different teachers, on site and online. The best teachers have been encouraging, innovative and also demanding. I learn most effectively in small groups of around 4-8 people.
Online platforms like Preply let you find a suitable private teacher and book (video call) lessons at a reasonable price. These calls have been great for chatting with a native speaker and getting tailored guidance, especially before language tests. Getting ready for tests gives me an extra motivation to study.
2. Volunteering
For example, I have helped a neighbour with her weekly shopping, during which we only speak German, and worked in a wild plant nursery where I got to talk with native speakers.
3. Podcasts
Listening to discussions and stories has been easy to integrate into my daily life since I can do it while walking. Even five minutes is better than nothing.
4. ChatGPT
From word translations and grammar rules to creating a personal learning plan, ChatGPT has been quite a remarkable tool. Even so, it sometimes makes mistakes, so it’s good to check other sources too.
5. Coffee meetups
With the coffee meetups, again, the smaller the group, the better. In larger gatherings, it’s been difficult to get a chance to speak and to hear what others are saying. Ideally, at least one native speaker should be present to guide participants in improving their language skills, otherwise people may also end up echoing each other’s mistakes.
6. Journaling
Writing briefly about the day’s events, topics of gratitude, or hopes for the future helps learning everyday vocabulary and different tenses, while also serving as a personal diary.
7. Duolingo
Sometimes getting hooked on something can mean learning more. At the moment I’m taking a break from this app, but it’s been a useful and entertaining way to learn languages.
This brings to mind a minor motorcycle accident I once witnessed. I went to help and ended up speaking English because I was afraid that, with my ‘Duolingo-German’, I would have said something silly like “I’m a banana.” and the victim would panic even more.
(Luckily she was not seriously hurt and there were enough people helping her).
8. Memorising a few new words a day
I pick up unfamiliar words from articles, advertisements etc. and make up sentences and rhymes around them to make them more memorable.
9. Reading books out loud
Recently I was reading my son (who is fluent in German) Astrid Lindgren’s Karlsson-on-the-Roof book in German every evening. I was excited, and despite making some pronunciation mistakes, speaking became easier with each attempt. Since the story was familiar, I could follow the plot even though there were still many words I didn’t know.
At the moment this experiment is on hold because suddenly the book disappeared, and later found it – carefully hidden in my child’s sock drawer. Perhaps it was a hint that the method was not working for both parties…
10. Visual storytelling
Combining a creative activity you enjoy with language learning is doubly rewarding. For me, it’s been drawing minimalist stories.
When we moved to Switzerland, I could only say “Ich liebe dich” in German. Soon the potato-like cartoon characters (later named as Kumplings) came to the rescue.
I started creating German-English comics, inspired both by everyday events and imagination, and sharing them with others on Instagram.
Over the last months I’ve been compiling a book of these comics, and now finally this book, German with Kumplings: Learning a Language Can Be Comic. is out! ✨
If you or someone you know enjoys humorous comics or has a curiosity about languages, check it out.
Learning a new language? My hat’s off to you! For most of us, it’s definitely not easy, but we should show ourselves compassion and remember that we’re not alone on this journey.
I think the key is to stay curious, experiment with different methods, and keep laughing along the way. Let’s do a little happy dance every time we learn a new word!
Abroadland 