By: Luke Boudewyns

June 11, 2025

If you ever get the chance to learn another language, I highly recommend seizing the opportunity, especially if you have friends who speak it. While mastering a new language comes with its challenges, the rewards are well worth the effort. To make the journey smoother, I’ll share some valuable tips to help you along the way.

To start, I’ll share my language journey. I wish I could say it was easy, but it wasn’t. Learning a language requires dedication, focus, and consistent practice. Like many students, I first encountered Spanish in junior high school, taking a single year in eighth grade. I disliked it so much that I chose not to continue. However, at the University of Minnesota, a two-year language requirement prompted me to return to Spanish. Since I had some prior experience, I figured it was better than starting from scratch. Growing up, I was rarely exposed to other languages, and it wasn’t until college that I truly committed to learning one.

After two semesters of university-level Spanish, I had the chance to study in Colombia. While I could communicate, I quickly realized how much I still lacked in the language. My struggles were entirely my fault because I hadn’t taken learning seriously. That was six years ago, and now I’m fluent in Spanish. Has it gotten easier? No, it hasn’t. I had to adapt to my skill level while continuously improving, which is something everyone must do. Living in Colombia allowed me to become fully immersed in the language, and because I couldn’t rely on English, I was forced to become fluent.

This brings me to my tips for tackling a new language:

● Immerse yourself by watching movies, listening to music, and exploring memes in your target language. Tune into a local news station on YouTube, and if you have native-speaking friends or roommates, ask if you can listen to their conversations. Switching your phone to the language can also help.

● Create a language-rich environment at home. If traveling to a country where the language is spoken is an option, take it. Otherwise, watching movies with subtitles or following along with song lyrics can help you absorb new vocabulary and grammar naturally.

● Make language exposure a part of your daily routine. Listening to podcasts or playing the news in the background while doing other tasks can improve comprehension and fluency over time.

● Build vocabulary efficiently with language-learning apps like Duolingo or similar tools. These are great for acquiring new words and practicing their use. Focus on learning vocabulary rather than relying on apps for translation.

● Expand your word bank by looking up new terms as you progress. Avoid translators, as they can hinder true language acquisition. Instead, use Wordreference, which allows you to break down song lyrics or sentences by translating individual words. This approach helps develop grammar connections and a deeper understanding.

● Speak without worrying about pronunciation. Learning a language requires practice, and the only way to improve is by speaking. Get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable and push yourself beyond your comfort zone.

● Engage with native speakers whenever possible. They naturally understand the nuances of the language and can guide you in ways that textbooks cannot. You may be surprised by how patient people are, so do your best and embrace the learning process.

● Remember that everyone starts at the same level. Making mistakes is part of the journey, and developing fluency takes years of consistent effort. Despite the challenges, the rewards are well worth the investment.

● Focus on the person you are speaking with rather than the message itself. When learning a new language, it is natural to adjust what you say to better express your thoughts, but this is more effective when you are fluent.

● Shifting your focus to the conversation rather than perfection helps reduce self-consciousness. Prioritize communicating your ideas instead of worrying about every word.

● Think about your most natural conversations with friends, family, or partners. In those moments, you likely were not overanalyzing your words; you were just speaking. The same approach applies to learning a new language. Relax, do your best, and keep talking.

● Avoid using slang until you have a solid grasp of the language. Slang is rooted in the familiarity that native speakers have, and it will come naturally once you are fluent. Trying to force it too early can lead to misunderstandings.

● Different regions use slang in unique ways. In Spanish, common words in one country or even a specific town may have completely different meanings elsewhere, sometimes inappropriate ones. To navigate this, pay attention to the people you are speaking with. In most formal or educational settings, slang is rarely used.

● Slang is more common in casual environments such as events, festivals, and street interactions. Observing how native speakers use it in these settings will help you incorporate it naturally when you are ready.

● Be comfortable making mistakes. Avoid overthinking words or grammar and focus on speaking. If you do not know how to say something, use the words you do know.

● Children learn languages quickly because they are not afraid to make mistakes. They simply try their best with what they know, and adopting this mindset will help you improve.

● Almost 20% of a language is used to express 80% of communication. If you grasp basic structures, you can use them to speak more and learn through conversation.

● People will often help by rephrasing your statements. For example, if someone learning English says, “I have 27 years, and you?” a helpful response would be, “You are 27 years old? I am 35 years old.” This clarification supports learning while keeping the conversation going.

Everyone begins with zero abilities in a new language, and mastering it takes time and effort. Avoid rushing the process, embrace mistakes as part of learning, and challenge yourself to experiment with new words and phrases. Progress comes with patience and practice.