The best way to learn a new language in 2024
If you're here, you’re probably asking yourself the best way to learn a new language. If that’s the case, you’ll be happy to learn that we've scoured the internet and thoroughly researched how to efficiently and economically learn a new language, so you don’t have to!
In this article, we are going to analyze the science and theory behind learning languages, and give you a complete guide on how to learn a language in 2024 (spoiler alert, it includes artificial intelligence!). Here’s a sneak peak of what’s ahead:
Learning a new language: Reasons & Statistics
Language learning strategies vs. Language learning techniques
What you should avoid when learning a new language
Our very own language learning program: fusing traditional learning with AI technology
Learning a new language: Reasons & Statistics
Let me assure you, wanting to learn a new language is a very common feeling. If you don't believe me, let’s take a look at the numbers:
The stats show that 90% of the world’s population believes that learning at least a second language is crucial.
About 70% of the people surveyed regretted not learning a second language. That could be due to the fact that a whopping 21% admitted to having missed a career opportunity due to not knowing a second language.
Or it could be that almost 60% confessed to being embarrassed when having to communicate with someone in their second language, and not being able to properly do so.
Whatever way you look at it, the numbers are clear: learning a second language gives you an unfair advantage. It puts you ahead of the curve and allows you to have more personal and professional opportunities. As a result, not knowing a second language sets you back.
On top of that, the recent world events & shifts have made knowing a second language even more of a priority. The pandemic closed us in our homes, but opened us up to the world digitally. We are working more internationally than ever (from the comfort of our own homes!). In the words of World Bank Chief Economist Carmen Reinhart, “We live in an age of globalization. That is, national economies are ever more tightly connected with one another than ever before.”
The conclusion: learn a language and be global, there’s really no choice in 2024!
2. Language learning strategies vs. Language learning techniques
Now that we’ve covered the importance of learning a new language, let’s look at the options that are available to us when we want to learn a target language.
We will divide these “types” of learning in two phases. The first one will be the different framework of language learning strategies (also known as LLS’s). We will then explore the different methods for learning languages, and give you the best way to learn a new language.
The classification framework of language learning strategies:
Cognitive strategies (also known as pragmatics): These are mental strategies used to enable the learner to manipulate the language in a direct way. Cognitive strategies for language learning include practicing writing, speaking, reasoning, analysys, summarizing and reorganizing phrases and concepts. It’s a hands-on approach to learning a language, and it rarely fails. It allows the learner to develop stronger knowledge structures, naturalistic settings, and the formal sounds and structures of a new language.
Memory-related strategies: This language learning strategy is used for storing information. It doesn't involve a cognitive, deep understanding. It’s used to link new concepts and words with the learner’s native language, whether it's mental images, sounds or actions.
Compensatory strategies: These strategies compensate for knowledge gaps. An example can be to guess the context of a listening exercise, or to talk around a missing concept or word.
Affective strategies: These strategies focus on emotional needs and queues. For example, identifying someone's mood or anxiety based on their tone and use of words.
Social strategies: These strategies aim to help understand the target culture for the learner. They usually center on conversations with native speakers, and in general, more interaction with the target language.
Don’t worry, we take all these into account when explaining our optimized language learning program!
Types of language learning techniques:
Reading, Writing & Speaking: It’s the oldest way of learning languages, and that’s why it’s not going anywhere, it just works! For this method to be effective, you need to practice with material that is tailored to your level. Spoiler: repetition and rigorous studying are a must if you want to learn a whole new language…
Apps and Webs: There’s an array of digital services that provide language learning exercises and programs. The trick? They don’t serve as a stand-alone solution. They need to be complemented with the other techniques, in order to cover cognitive, compensatory, affective and memory knowledge.
Tutors and classes (physical and online): The classic tutoring and language teacher technique. It provides contact with a fluent speaker of the language you want to learn. It makes the initial learning less intimidating and allows you to have a structured language learning plan. The downside is the cost. Teachers can go from 10$ per hour to 80$/hour or even 100$/hour. And to learn a target language fluently, you are going to have to buy a lot of hours!
But don’t worry! Our plan is a mixture of the best techniques and strategies, creating the most cost-efficient and through language learning method!
Podcasts and movies: This is a complete MUST in every language learning program. We already watch shows, movies, podcasts etc… You are obligated to watch shows/TV in the language you are learning with subtitles in your native language! You’ll get context, pragmatics, colloquial expressions, pronunciation, empathy learning… ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! And all you have to do is sit back, listen and read the subtitles. Don’t open up social media while watching the shows (yes, sadly, you aren’t the only one that does this…) and make sure to pay attention! Shows will also give a lot to talk about in classes. It’s also a good excuse to start binge-watching a new show!
What you should avoid when learning a new language
The most crucial aspect: there's no way around it, you need to put in the work. The biggest mistake you can make is thinking that a single language learning technique or approach will be enough. You need to vary the language learning techniques, and you must not get too fixated on a single approach or domain.
For example, only watching movies in a certain language, or only fixating on grammar are common mistakes. Other examples can be using a single app that doesn't give the context or pragmatics of words, such as Duolingo. These multiple choice, gamified apps, convey the same outputs as a slot machine, in order to make you stay on the app for as long as possible.
In order to be fluent in a language, you need to mix Cognitive, Memory-related, Compensatory, Affective and Social strategies through the different language learning techniques you apply. All in all, it’s important to focus on real concentrated study, not cheap hacks.
Immersing yourself in a language is key, and here’s how:
Our very own language learning program: fusing traditional learning with AI technology
First off, there’s no way around classes or tutoring, you need to practice pronunciation with a native speaker. You need a teacher for a language learning program that is tailored to your level and way of thinking & learning. But you don’t need to solely rely on a teacher and pay for a whole lot of classes!
That was exactly our thought. We wondered; What if there was an AI personal language tutor available to us anytime? One that could adjust according to our pace and give us the confidence we need? One that would be available 24/7 with unlimited patience?
With this thought as motivation, we set out to create BuddieSpeak - An AI chatbot app designed specifically for learning languages through chat conversations and roleplays.
The app is meant to complement and enhance the classic tutoring classes, in order to minimize the amount of classes you pay for, and to really get 100% out of each language learning class.
Think of it as traditional language learning education fusing with Artificial Intelligence, combining cost-effective technology with the more costly and conventional way of learning languages.
And best of all, if you follow this program, you will be immersed in all language learning strategies, with only a fraction of the cost!
Here’s the best way to use it:
Step 1: Comprehensible Output: Chatbot and roleplay for one week. If you are starting a language from scratch, choose the beginner level and begin having extremely easy conversations. This way, for your first tutoring class, you will already have a list of questions, doubts and a general head-start!
Step 2: Speaking the comprehensible output with the teacher, going over mistakes, doubts and pronunciations. We’ve investigated and found that alternating between our app and a language tutor is the most cost effective method of learning a language.
Step 3: Level up! With the new learning from your class, level up your conversations. Go from introducing yourself to talking about the weather or a movie.
If you follow this method: App - tutor - app - tutor, you will cut down costs of classes by 50%! The idea is to switch between app & tutor, to not burn out with app, and to solidify with tutor, without just relying on him.
We HIGHLY recommend that you also watch movies and shows in the language you are trying to learn. If you do these things, you will be covering:
Cognitive learning
Memory-related learning
Compensatory learning
Affective learning
Social learning
You can download our free app here. We hope you check it out and give us some feedback!