There are countless benefits to learning another language, from enhanced critical thinking to a better understanding of the world. For many, however, learning a language is difficult, if not near impossible—or so one might think.

Often, a major hurdle to mastering a language is the learning process. With many people, struggles with learning a second language occur not from a lack of intelligence, but rather from improper study habits.

Learning a language is more than just hours of study and grammar lessons. Some of the best ways to learn involve fun and everyday actions that are perfect for integrating your new language into your daily life.

Here are five unique activities to promote language learning in your home.  

Find a Foreign Friend to Talk With

One of the most straightforward methods of learning a language is to talk to native speakers. If you’re not in an area with many native speakers, consider finding a new friend from your target region. 

Pen pals have long been a great way to connect with others, and learn new languages. In fact, with the hyperconnectivity of today’s world, finding someone to talk to has never been easier. 

Whether you use the traditional method of pen, paper, and envelope, or correspond via the internet, pen pals create a system of mutual betterment. From language learning to cultural enrichment, sharing stories with someone across the world makes us all better. 

When you first start out, you may lack many language skills. Don’t let that stop you, though. There are plenty of guides, templates, and translators to help you and your new friend connect. This printable provides common introductory questions in English, French, and Spanish.

Get started today, and find your newest friend. 

Watch Foreign Shows and Movies With Subtitles

Hearing the spoken word of your target language is one of the best ways to immerse oneself in language learning. However, if traveling is out of the question, keep the learning fun and watch some movies.

Specifically, watch films and shows in your target language. Try to watch them without subtitles the first time, and see how many words and phrases you understand. Take notes and try to translate what you can. On the next watch, pop on the subtitles and compare your notes. Pay attention to any areas that you especially struggled to understand.

Foreign films are a great way to experience a foreign culture. With subtitles, you have a handy translation guide to help with those tricky words and phrases.  

Read in the Target Language

Like hearing the spoken word, seeing the written word helps reaffirm your target language within your mind. Reading books in your new language is a perfect way to understand the ins and outs of the written language.

If needed, start small. Check out short children’s stories if you’re new to the language. They often feature simpler sentences and easy-to-understand words.  

As you progress, strive for more challenging works. Look at top literature lists in the target language, or ask your pen pal what books they would recommend.

Keep a Daily Journal in the Target Language

Like reading, writing in a foreign language is essential to complete linguistic understanding. However, that doesn’t mean copying lines and repeating writing exercises. Grab a journal, find a comfortable spot, and start writing.

Write whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about mistakes in the beginning. Just strive to write a certain number of words or lines a day. Start with short updates about the weather or your day. As your skills progress, increase the verbosity of your entries. 

With this method, you have clear proof of your progression through your foreign language studies.

Play Language-Learning Games

Games are vital parts of any culture. From family card games to famous board games, they provide a fun and involved way to learn a language. 

For beginners, language-learning games like Kloo provide targeted skills in a fun package. No one needs any skill in the available languages in order to play, though, by the end, the skills of all players will grow.

Additionally, consider the classic game of Scrabble. Simply search for the tile scores in your target language, and start spelling. The rules remain the same, but you can hone your spelling and language skills at the same time.

Final Thoughts

With the right activities, language learning is fun and engaging, not to mention immensely beneficial for brain health, social exploration, and simply leading a rich and full life. With these five approaches, the learning process is easier and more approachable.

Incorporate these activities into your daily routine. You don’t have to do each activity every day, but be sure to engage with language learning whenever you can. Keep a journal nearby to jot down some ideas in your second language. Catch a foreign film every week with your friends. Try a new novel from your favorite foreign author every month.

However you learn, make it fit your lifestyle. Ultimately, absorbing a new language is easier when done through entertaining and comforting means.