From first word to fluency: A simple, fun guide to learn a new language

BY AMARI SUKHDEO

I’m learning Spanish right now during summer school—a language I’ve always wanted to speak. Something about the way it flows, the music, the culture—it just clicks with me. When I first started, I had no idea how to actually learn a language without getting overwhelmed, or bored. Turns out, there’s a smarter (and more fun) way to go about it. Here’s the step-by-step method I’ve found really works—not just for Spanish, but for almost any language.

Soak in the sound

Before memorizing verbs or grammar rules, just get your ears used to the language. Watch shows, listen to music, or scroll through TikTok’s in your target language. You don’t have to understand everything. Just start hearing the rhythm and tone—it trains your brain to recognize patterns and pronunciation.

“The more you use it, the more it sticks—language learning isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up every day.”

Learn key phrases and vocabulary

Start with the most common words and phrases—things like greetings, questions, numbers, and everyday expressions. Apps like Duolingo or Memrise are great for this. Don’t try to learn everything. Just focus on the words that show up often. It’s like learning the building blocks first.

Speak early and often

The best way to get comfortable is to start speaking—even if you make mistakes. Talk to yourself, read out loud, or find a language partner online. There are apps like Tandem, or HelloTalk where you can chat with native speakers. At first, you’ll stumble—but that’s part of the process. The more you speak, the more natural it feels.

Make it part of your routine

Turn your environment into a language zone. Change your phone settings, label things around your house, or try thinking in the language as you go through your day. A little bit every day is better than a big session once a week. Consistency wins.

Don’t Be afraid to mess up

Perfection is the enemy here. You will make mistakes, and that’s how you learn. Laugh at yourself, correct it, and move on. No one speaks perfectly when they’re just starting out—not even toddlers. Progress comes from trying.

Use what you are learning

Try to use your new language in real-life situations. Order food in that language if you can, write short journal entries, or describe your day in simple sentences. The more you actively use the language, the quicker it sticks.

Keep it fun

If you’re bored, you won’t stick with it. So, find things you enjoy doing in the language. Watch a cheesy drama, play video games, or cook using a recipe from that culture. Learning doesn’t have to feel like school—it can be entertainment, too.

Learning a language is more like running a marathon than a sprint, but with these steps and a little daily effort, you’ll surprise yourself with how much you can understand—and say.