Six habits of successful language learners
Every student wants to make the most progress in the least time. The learners who get there tend to do the same few things, again and again. None of them is complicated. All of them are easier with a plan.
1. Learn every day
Even on a tired day, do a little. Five or ten minutes counts. Language fades when you leave it alone and grows when you touch it often, so short daily sessions beat one long session on the weekend.
In the Become Fluent app: a daily study goal and a streak count show how many days in a row you have practiced. The dashboard always suggests one next step, so you never have to decide what to do.
2. Stay motivated
Know why you are learning. It might be your patients, your family, a trip, or a job. Write it down. When the work gets hard, that reason is what you come back to.
In the app: you can write your own reason on your habits page, and your tutor sets goals with you and tracks them on your roadmap.
3. Record new vocabulary
A new word usually needs to come back several times, spread over hours, days and weeks, before it stays. Keep a record of the words you want, and look at it again. A notebook works. So does a phone list, or flashcards.
This fits with immersion. While you watch or listen, follow the story and do not stop to look things up. Afterward, pick a few words you want to keep and save only those.
In the app: tap Save word in the dictionary or in a reading. The word goes into your own list and comes back for review on a schedule.
4. Read, read and read
Read things you like in the language, not material that bores you. Notice new patterns and useful words as you go. The more you read, the faster you progress.
In the app: short readings from beginner to advanced, with tap-for-meaning words, read-aloud and a few questions. Your reading time counts toward your study hours.
5. Be brave
Do not worry about small mistakes. Most people are glad you are trying. When you learn a new word or pattern, use it as soon as you can. If you are not sure it is right, someone will correct you, and that correction is a lesson you will remember.
In the app and in lessons: your tutor corrects you kindly, the conversation companion helps when you get stuck in a real conversation, and writing challenges and speaking checkpoints give you low-pressure practice.
6. Use technology
Your phone can do a lot of the work. Listen to podcasts by native speakers, watch videos, read the news in your target language, record yourself speaking, make flashcards, and play games in the language.
In the app: videos, music, listening clips, readings, flashcards and games are all in one place, and you can install it on your phone's home screen.
Where to go next
Book a free 30-minute trial lesson
Tell us where you are and what you want to use the language for. Your tutor will plan your first lessons, and your daily habits, around that.
Book a free 30-minute trial lesson