How to Actually Learn a Language
Three Point Essay #27 | Being Content to be Thought Foolish and Stupid
Here’s a three-pointer to open your mind.
This piece includes some of my writing from a recent feature on Danny Magazu’s Substack “Ride the Wave”. I added some more for this edition. If anyone reading this wants to be bilingual, this article will help you out.
Learning another language opened my mind. It’s made my life better.
This is practical advice on how to acquire another language. I’m going to focus on Spanish, but you can apply the principles to any one you’d like.
I used to have a speech impediment when I was young, and I’m not related to any Latinos. So if I can master the language, you can too.
Use Your Tongue
If you wish to speak another language, you must speak it.
Duh, right? Yet there are many people who’ve been taking language classes for years. They never talk to natives. And they are somehow confused why they still can’t speak well.
They think that if they read, write, and listen to Spanish enough, they’ll magically speak with confidence at some point! Wrong. I used to be in this situation myself.
Learning grammar and vocabulary is important. But directing all your efforts towards memorizing them without vocal practice is a waste of time. I wish I knew this earlier.
To become bilingual, have conversations with native speakers as soon as possible. As much as possible. It will be uncomfortable, and you will make mistakes.
But you’ll realize that the #1 thing that stops people from speaking another language isn’t a lack of knowledge, it’s fear. Fear of sounding dumb. Fear of awkwardness.
But you should actually embrace that you’ll screw up and experience weird moments in conversation. Because that’s how you get better. As one of my favorite writers Epictetus said “If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.” This isn’t an inspirational quote. It’s a fact of reality.
And anyways, every Hispanic person I’ve ever talked to appreciates it when I speak in their own language. Their face lights up with surprise. This was the case even when my skills were poor.
Have Conversations Online
If you don’t know any Latinos you can speak with in person, no problem. Download the app HelloTalk. It’s a language-learning social media site, and the best tool for practicing your speaking abilities online.
You create an account and enter your desired language. It will connect you to Latinos trying to learn English. You can post to the timeline, or direct message people. In the direct messages, you can translate any text by tapping on it. You can also call people, which I recommend above all. But if you are too nervous to do calls right away, you can start with voice messages, which is what I did.
Over the past year, I practiced Spanish every day with people I met on the app. For example, I spoke for months with Elias from Mexico (English major) and Patricia from Paraguay (New worker in the U.S.). Find people who are serious about learning English. They have an incentive to stay in consistent communication with you, an English native.
If you find online friends like this to do language exchanges with, a 10-20 minute conversation daily will do wonders. Over time, you’ll become fluent. And your brain will be completely re-wired in the process.
So yes, study the grammar and vocabulary in your classes or on websites like Babbel. Download Spanishdict to look up new words and remember verb conjugations. But never forget, the only path to true fluency is conversation. And with the internet and social media, a conversation with anyone in the world is only a couple clicks away.
I studied abroad in Spain recently. But I already had command of the Spanish language before I got there, by following the steps above. Trust the process. It’s worth it. It made the experience of another country that much better.
(There’s also plenty of research on the cognitive benefits of picking up another language, which is another good reason to go for it).
Digital Immersion
You think you need to go to another country to gain the ability to speak another language. Not true.
Immersion is important yes, but you don’t have to be in another country to do so.
You can immerse yourself in the digital world:
Spanish Music
Spanish TV Shows
Spanish podcasts
Music favorites: Bad Bunny, Carlos Vives, Anuel AA, Becky G, Shakira, Morat, Sebastian Yatra, and Sech. Reading lyrics while the music is playing is a huge help. I still do it for new songs.
Netflix show favorites: Narcos, Narcos Mexico, and Money Heist. Subtitles are your friend at the beginning.
Podcast favorites: Easy Spanish (easy), Intermediate Spanish Podcast (moderate), and TED talks (hard).
These are all great ways to expose yourself to Español. Exposure is necessary. Let the language pour in through your ears every day. You have to give your brain the chance to download it into memory.
Combine this immersion with conversations (no matter how difficult or awkward the conversations may be).
Over time, you’ll adapt to the sounds. You’ll recognize the meanings of words, and eventually full sentences. The neurons in your brain will continue making new connections. You’ll begin to understand a different language, one of the most exciting feelings in life.
WONDERFUL.SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO ALL SPANISH TEACHERS. REALLY INSIGHTFUL AND MEANINGFUL. JIM