Learning a language can be stressful, challenging, and a bit scary. There are so many new vocabulary words to learn, new verb tenses to master, and new ways to express yourself. There will be plenty of bumps and bruises along the way, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up. Of course, there are the embarrassing moments as well, like the time I ordered a grenade instead of an iced drink in an Italian café!

Your hard work and effort will pay off in gradual steps, though, such as completing your first full sentence, having a small conversation, or using a new verb tense. It’s always important to relish the small victories! Over the years, I’ve found some these tips to be the most helpful when it comes to learning a foreign language, and I hope they help you as well.

Finding the Right Websites

Type “learn X language” or “study X language” into Google, and you are going to be hit with roughly 7.6 trillion results. This can be overwhelming, especially when you’ve reached the depths of Page 2 and beyond trying to look for a solid option. My two favorite options are Duolingo and HelloLingo. Despite sharing the same last name, the two sites are quite different.

If you have looked into learning a language, then you most likely have heard of Duolingo. However, you cannot solely rely on this site to help you. Duolingo is fantastic for vocab and grammar basics but is not going to give you the real-life tools or conversation pieces to get you going. You are going to need another site to help get you to give you those real-life tools. Here is where HelloLingo comes in.

I frequently used its parent site, SharedTalk, years ago before Rosetta Stone unexpectedly shut it down. This site allows you to talk with natives of whatever language in exchange for your English (or other languages). It’s a great way to learn colloquial words, cultural ideas, and a plethora of other information. It is especially useful if you don’t have a lot of native speakers in your area.

Start off with DuoLingo to give you a solid foundation on vocab and basic grammar tenses. You’ll go about learning numbers, colors, household items, adjectives, and much more. Eventually, you’ll be able to put all those into practice by writing out sentences and translating some words. As I said, it’s a great way to start but you can’t rely on it completely. Once you feel you have a strong base, head over to HelloLingo and try using what you have learned.

Don’t worry about making mistakes or looking funny, the other person you’re talking to is going through the same situation! Keep practicing with DuoLingo to learn new words and even try reading the newspaper in your target language. You’ll be surprised how much quicker you’ll learn.

Skip the Big Language Exchange Events

Many cities have language exchange meetups where lots of people come together to, well, exchange languages. However, these can become overcrowded, and there is rarely any structure. Many times, it is just a group of people in a room freely talking. It can become hard to hear and to understand, and you may not feel like you truly accomplish anything.

Instead, begin looking for a small group or partner. That way, you can get to know them better, you can understand them easier, and, ultimately, you can cultivate conversations that have a better chance at going past the “what’s your name” and “where are you from” lines of dialogue.

Speak to Yourself Out Loud

For this next one, I recommend doing this alone. I know this one could be a little bizarre, but it has helped me tremendously. Many people say that the hardest thing is this process: hearing second language→translating language to mother tongue in head→translating response in second language→responding in second language.

This is often one of the most frustrating things! You may always feel like you’re several seconds behind the conversation. So, one way to do that is to get used to hearing yourself and thinking in the language. When you’re at home by yourself, start narrating what you’re doing or what you’re thinking out loud into the second language.

It can go something like this: “I’m cleaning the dishes now. Then, I am going to read my book on the sofa. Wow, it is a nice day today!” People may look at you crazy, but it will train your brain to start recognizing the words and thinking about them. If you’re thinking out loud, you’ll have no choice but to think in the second language.

Find a Hobby

Everyone has something they’re interested in, right? Whether it be sports, movies, video games, reading, cooking, or whatever, there is surely something you do to fill your free time. Plus, if you’re doing something you enjoy, you will keep pushing yourself.

For me, I love basketball, so I found a team with Spanish speakers and was able to improve my Spanish just by being around them. I wanted to play, but playing meant I had to immerse myself in Spanish, and it really helped.

Try to find a group around you with your shared interests and join. I know this may be hard for many, but that’s why the internet is so great. You may not be able to find a group interested in architecture in Swahili, but the internet can. There are limitless forums for you to learn and participate in.

Don’t Be Scared When You Fail

This may be the most basic one, but I had to include it. You are going to mess up, you are going to make big mistakes, and you are going to look silly. Last week, I asked for contact lenses instead of beans at a supermarket. It happens! Just take it as a moment you can look back on and laugh when you improve. It’s not easy, but the end result is so worth the effort.