If You Do at Least 5 of These Things, You’re a Good Language Learner!
Are you looking to learn how to be a good language learner?
There’s no such thing as a “perfect language learner,” as everyone studies and learns at their own rhythm and pace. While we can’t be perfect, good learners do share key characteristics for effective language studies.
Read this post to explore amazing lessons from the experiences of good language learners and put them into practice!
Practices of Good Language Learners
First and foremost, what is language learning?
Language learning is an active process that begins at birth. We use language to communicate our needs, thoughts, and emotions, and we can learn how to do it in more than one language!
Learning a language is not so much about talent—words used for being naturally good at something—but about how much effort and time you put into reaching your goal.
Many people ask themselves how to be a good learner when most of the time they already are!
Keep reading to learn the qualities and characteristics of a good language learner.
1. You’re Not Afraid of Commitment
Learning a language is a lifetime commitment.
There isn’t an exact time frame of how long it can take you to learn a new language, but what is certain is that it requires years for you to master a new language. Even if you don’t want to master it, being able to communicate efficiently also takes time and effort.
The way you decide to learn makes the difference, and the following points are great examples of how something that takes years to learn can be fun, engaging, and life changing.
2. You’re Motivated
What is your motivation to learn a new language?
Do you want to live or study abroad? Are you thinking of traveling around the globe? Are you a language enthusiast? Whatever motivates you to learn is valid and important, because it’s the reason you strive to achieve your goals!
Besides English and Spanish, I studied Japanese for a while. Everybody asked me why I decided to study such a complicated language. And I always said things like “Oh, I like the challenge.” But the truth is, I just wanted to watch anime without needing subtitles. That reason alone kept me in Japanese class for more than three years!
A good language learner has a motivation that drives their effort to reach their goals.
3. You Aren’t Afraid of Failure
From the moment I began my education, my parents paid for my English classes. I studied English for more than 15 years and have been speaking it for more than 20.
And I still mess up my English almost every day.
Learning a new language means you are going to fail again and again. The grammar, the spelling, the pronunciation, and sometimes, everything at the same time! But you have to remember that every time you fail, you’re learning something new.
A good language learner uses their failures as a reminder of all the things they can—and have—improved over time.
4. You’re Organized
Do you know that your language learning experience can be directly affected by your organization?
I’m not talking about how tidy your desk is, but rather about how you manage your time and how efficiently you take notes and study them.
Two of the best language learning methods that successful language learners use are the Feynman technique—a learning method that helps you simplify concepts to make you understand them better and faster—and the Pomodoro technique, an acclaimed time management method.
Try to combine those two techniques and you will see how much progress you make!
5. You’re Constantly Searching for New Study Methods
Another important good language learner characteristic is that they never stop trying to find new ways to study.
From putting sticky notes all around the house, to paying for courses, to downloading the best apps, any way you study is good!
When I studied Japanese, I would draw the vocabulary I learned in the lessons because it helped the words make sense to me. Some of my friends made flashcards, others downloaded games, and others preferred to read children’s books!
If you make studying a fun activity, learning will be easier and more enjoyable! Practicing learning habits is also highly recommended.
6. You Learn More Than Just the Language
The best language learners understand that when you decide to learn a new language, you actually learn so much more!
Studying a new language enables you to explore its culture, customs, traditions, and society. Languages are directly related to all those elements and many more. Personally, I think that is part of the beauty of language: how it is the starting point to learn about far away places and traditions and beliefs so different from our own.
A good language learner knows how important it is to understand the culture of the language they are learning to have a better understanding of it.
7. You’re Constantly Practicing
Learning a new language is not something that you do for just once in a while.
Good language learners know that they have to constantly practice their new language, and the best way to do it is by combining study time with other everyday activities.
When I was in middle school, one of my best friends read interesting books that piqued my curiosity, so I borrowed them from her! But the books were in English! Instead of feeling disappointed, I kept a dictionary close to me and began to read everything she gave me. In a few months I began to notice more progress from reading those young adult fiction books than from my English classes!
Mix your language learning with your favorite activities, and you’ll notice how your vocabulary expands and your fluency gets better!
Efficient learning strategies go beyond taking notes and attending class. Make the language you are learning part of your life without having to stop enjoying the activities you like the most!
Great Language Learners Also Take Spanish Lessons
All the good language learner characteristics we learned today are even more effective when you take lessons on the language you want to learn!
Spanish is a brilliant choice if you want to expand your language knowledge!
In the United States alone, approximately 53 million people speak Spanish. The U.S. is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. According to CNN, there are 41 million native Spanish speakers in the U.S. who speak Spanish in their homes. You’ll be able to practice a lot of the characteristics of a good language learner thanks to how popular and widespread Spanish is!
And if you want to expand your working opportunities, according to a study conducted by The Economist, a person can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $125,000 extra just by knowing a foreign language alone.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up today for a free 1-to-1 class with a certified native Spanish-speaking teacher at Homeschool Spanish Academy and start to build your knowledge! Check out our programs, take a peek at our affordable prices, and begin this new adventure with us!
Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these
“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”
– Cindy D, Parent of 3
“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”
– Erica P. Parent of 1
“I love that my children have the opportunity to speak with a live person. They get to practice Spanish in a 1-1 setting while improve their speaking, writing and reading skills during their lessons. HSA is a great way to learn Spanish for all ages! My children are 6, 9 and 11. My oldest two (9 and 11) have been taking classes with HSA for almost 2 years now. They love seeing their teacher each week. They understand the importance of learning several languages. I’ve seen them grow and learn with HSA. I’m excited to see how they will improve the more classes they take. I highly recommend them. You can’t bet learning and speaking with a live teacher. I’ve tried other programs. It’s just not as motivating.”
– Karie Ann, Parent of 3
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