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Having a goal—especially a daily one—can make or break your language learning experience. I found that having a small goal myself really helped when I got overwhelmed. Am I supposed to learn grammar first? Vocab? Pronunciation? Where do I even begin?!
It’s easy to feel lost with so many aspects to tackle at once. Setting clear, manageable goals can provide structure and make the journey less intimidating. When each day has a specific focus, it becomes easier to track progress and maintain motivation. For instance, dedicating one day to mastering a handful of new vocabulary words and another to practicing a tricky grammatical rule can make a big difference.
That’s where daily challenges come in. Some can take less than 10 minutes, but they can make a huge difference. These small, manageable goals each day can guide you towards fluency without feeling too daunting.
Trust me, these little steps add up and before you know it, you’ll be making noticeable progress. For example, one day you might spend a few minutes practicing pronunciation with a language app, while the next day you could focus on writing a short paragraph using new words you’ve learned. This variety keeps the learning process dynamic and prevents it from becoming monotonous.
Also, my attention span is not the best. So, I created some fun challenges that I myself have used to get further along in my language learning. This should be a fun adventure! These engaging tasks not only keep things interesting but also make the learning process feel like an enjoyable journey rather than a chore.
From listening to a favorite song in your target language and trying to transcribe the lyrics, to playing language-learning games, the key is to find activities that you enjoy and that fit seamlessly into your daily routine.
By incorporating these fun and interactive elements, you’ll be more likely to stick with your language learning goals and see consistent improvement over time.
Day 1: Learn 10 New Vocabulary Words
Start with a list of common words and their meanings. Use flashcards or a language app to help memorize them. Here are 10 example words and how to use them in daily life, along with some examples of what to put on the front and back of each flashcard!
Flashcard Examples:
- Hello (Hola)
- Front of Flashcard:
- Word: “Hola”
- [Optional: Picture of someone waving or greeting]
- Back of Flashcard:
- Translation: “Hello”
- Example Sentence: “Hola, ¿cómo estás?” (Hello, how are you?)
- Usage: Greeting someone when you see them.
- Front of Flashcard:
- Thank You (Gracias)
- Front of Flashcard:
- Word: “Gracias”
- [Optional: Picture of someone expressing gratitude]
- Back of Flashcard:
- Translation: “Thank you”
- Example Sentence: “Gracias por tu ayuda.” (Thank you for your help.)
- Usage: Showing gratitude when someone assists you.
- Front of Flashcard:
- Please (Por favor)
- Front of Flashcard:
- Word: “Por favor”
- [Optional: Picture of someone requesting something]
- Back of Flashcard:
- Translation: “Please”
- Example Sentence: “¿Puedes pasarme la sal, por favor?” (Can you pass me the salt, please?)
- Usage: Politeness when requesting something.
- Front of Flashcard:
- Yes (Sí)
- Front of Flashcard:
- Word: “Sí”
- [Optional: Picture of a nodding head]
- Back of Flashcard:
- Translation: “Yes”
- Example Sentence: “Sí, me gustaría ir al cine.” (Yes, I would like to go to the movies.)
- Usage: Affirmative response to a question or invitation.
- Front of Flashcard:
- No (No)
- Front of Flashcard:
- Word: “No”
- [Optional: Picture of a shaking head]
- Back of Flashcard:
- Translation: “No”
- Example Sentence: “No, no quiero más café.” (No, I don’t want more coffee.)
- Usage: Negative response to a question or offer.
- Front of Flashcard:
- Goodbye (Adiós)
- Front of Flashcard:
- Word: “Adiós”
- [Optional: Picture of someone waving goodbye]
- Back of Flashcard:
- Translation: “Goodbye”
- Example Sentence: “Adiós, nos vemos mañana.” (Goodbye, see you tomorrow.)
- Usage: Parting ways with someone.
- Front of Flashcard:
- Excuse Me (Perdón)
- Front of Flashcard:
- Word: “Perdón”
- [Optional: Picture of someone asking a question or apologizing]
- Back of Flashcard:
- Translation: “Excuse me”
- Example Sentence: “Perdón, ¿dónde está el baño?” (Excuse me, where is the bathroom?)
- Usage: Getting someone’s attention or apologizing for a minor inconvenience.
- Front of Flashcard:
- Water (Agua)
- Front of Flashcard:
- Word: “Agua”
- [Optional: Picture of a glass of water]
- Back of Flashcard:
- Translation: “Water”
- Example Sentence: “Necesito un vaso de agua.” (I need a glass of water.)
- Usage: Asking for or referring to water.
- Front of Flashcard:
- Food (Comida)
- Front of Flashcard:
- Word: “Comida”
- [Optional: Picture of a meal]
- Back of Flashcard:
- Translation: “Food”
- Example Sentence: “La comida está deliciosa.” (The food is delicious.)
- Usage: Talking about food or meals.
- Front of Flashcard:
- Help (Ayuda)
- Front of Flashcard:
- Word: “Ayuda”
- [Optional: Picture of someone asking for help]
- Back of Flashcard:
- Translation: “Help”
- Example Sentence: “¡Ayuda! No encuentro mi cartera.” (Help! I can’t find my wallet.)
- Usage: Requesting assistance in an emergency or difficult situation.
- Front of Flashcard:
Day 2: Practice Pronunciation
Listen to Native Speakers and Mimic Their Pronunciation
- Steps:
- Find Resources: Use language learning apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Rosetta Stone, which offer pronunciation practice. Alternatively, watch YouTube videos featuring native speakers.
- Mimic Sounds: Listen carefully and try to replicate the sounds as accurately as possible. Pay attention to intonation, stress, and rhythm.
- Record Yourself: Use your phone or a recording app to record your pronunciation. Compare it to the native speakers and adjust as needed.
- Use Online Tools: Use tools like Forvo or Google Translate’s pronunciation feature to check your pronunciation.
- Tips:
- Focus on difficult sounds specific to the language. – Example: In Japanese the “R” sound has a similar pronunciation to “re” and “le” mixed.
- Repeat phrases rather than isolated words to get a sense of natural speech patterns.
- I personally have watched YouTube videos about things happening in the country in their language! I am currently studying Japanese so I watch a lot of NHK videos.
Here is an example!
Day 3: Basic Greetings and Introductions
Learn and Practice Basic Greetings, How to Introduce Yourself, and Ask Someone Their Name. The first step to applying the knowledge you’ve learned so far! Below are some examples for Spanish! This can be applied to any language you are learning. For example; I would look at what good morning is in Japanese and use that. Follow the format below!
- Common Phrases:
- Hello: “Hola”
- Good Morning: “Buenos días”
- Good Evening: “Buenas tardes”
- My Name is…: “Me llamo…”
- What’s Your Name?: “¿Cómo te llamas?”
- Example Conversation:
- Person A: “Hola, ¿cómo te llamas?” (Hello, what’s your name?)
- Person B: “Hola, me llamo [Your Name]. ¿Y tú?” (Hello, my name is [Your Name]. And you?)
Day 4: Quick Grammar Basics Session
Study Essential Grammar Rules in 5 Minutes
Grammar is essential for understanding how sentences are formed in your target language. Here’s a quick guide to grasp the basics of grammar in just 5 minutes. Make a few sentences following this sentence structure using what you have practiced so far! Below are some examples for Spanish and Japanese. Look into the language you are learning to see what their sentence structure is!
Steps:
- Focus on Basic Sentence Structure:
- Subject-Verb-Object (SVO): This is a common structure in many languages like English and Spanish. For example:
- English: “I eat apples.”
- Spanish: “Yo como manzanas.”
- Subject-Object-Verb (SOV): Japanese follows the SOV sentence structure.
- Example: “私はりんごを食べます” (Watashi wa ringo o tabemasu) – “I (subject) apple (object) eat (verb).”
- Subject-Verb-Object (SVO): This is a common structure in many languages like English and Spanish. For example:
Day 5: Listen to a Song in Your Target Language
Step 1: Choose a Song
Select a song that interests you and is popular in the language you’re learning. It could be a current hit or a classic favorite. Platforms like Spotify, YouTube, or music streaming services specific to that language (e.g., French chansons, K-pop) can help you discover suitable options.
Step 2: Find the Lyrics
Look for the song’s lyrics online. Many websites offer lyrics in multiple languages, making it easier to follow along. For example, you can search for “Despacito lyrics English translation” if you’re learning Spanish.
Step 3: Listen Actively
Listen to the song multiple times. Pay attention to the pronunciation, rhythm, and melody. Try to identify individual words and phrases.
Step 4: Follow Along with Lyrics
Read the lyrics while listening to the song. Focus on understanding the meaning of each line. Identify words you don’t know and look them up. This will expand your vocabulary.
Step 5: Break It Down
If certain parts of the song are challenging, break them down into smaller sections. Listen repeatedly until you can sing or recite along confidently.
Step 6: Learn from Context
Use the context of the song to understand new vocabulary and expressions. Songs often use colloquial language and idiomatic expressions that reflect everyday speech.
Step 7: Sing Along
Once you feel comfortable, sing along with the artist. Mimicking the pronunciation and rhythm will help improve your speaking skills and build confidence.
Step 8: Review and Repeat
Make listening to songs a regular part of your language learning routine. Revisit the same song or explore new ones to reinforce your skills and discover different styles of music.
Benefits of Learning with Songs
- Improves Listening Skills: Songs expose you to authentic spoken language at a natural pace.
- Expands Vocabulary: Lyrics introduce new words and expressions in context.
- Enhances Pronunciation: Singing along helps with intonation and accent.
- Cultural Insight: Songs often reflect cultural themes and values, providing a deeper understanding of the language’s context.
Day 6: Write a Short Paragraph
Write a short paragraph about yourself or your day using the vocabulary and grammar you’ve learned! I had a small diary that I kept on me to write things out throughout my day. Sometimes I would even create a grocery list in Japanese! Below is my short shopping list!
- リンゴ – Apples
- オレンジ- Oranges
- 鶏 – Chicken
- 塩 – Salmon/Fish
- ヨーグルト – Yogurt
- バター – Butter
- 塩 – Salt
Day 7: Watch a Short Video or TV Show
- Watch a short video or an episode of a TV show in your target language. Pay attention to the context and try to understand as much as possible. While learning Spanish I watched a lot of telenovelas! Make sure it is something you enjoy otherwise, it won’t be fun to learn. On your way to work try watching a video in your target language! Similar to day 2 but instead of focusing on pronunciation you’ll focus on comprehension!
