So, you’ve decided to master a new language and found this article… 

Luck of you!

Here, we’ve got your back with some down-to-earth tips and tricks to make that language-learning journey to fluency way more enjoyable. Let ‘s get to it.

How is it possible to maintain fluency?

Yes! It is perfectly possible, since you set goals. 

Let’s learn how to set language learning goals!?

How to set language learning goals like a pro

Setting and tracking language learning goals will ensure you some essential elements:

• Motivation: Goals give you a clear purpose and something to work toward. When you have a specific language learning goal, you’re more likely to stay motivated and dedicated to your studies.

• Focus: Goals help you prioritize what’s most important for your language learning. They guide your choice of materials, activities, and methods, ensuring you stay focused on what matters most.

• Measurable progress: Setting measurable goals allows you to track your progress. As you achieve these goals, you’ll see how far you’ve come – a tremendous source of motivation and satisfaction!

• Time management: Language learning can be a long and challenging process. Goals help you break down this process into manageable steps and allocate your time and effort effectively.

• Adaptability: Setting goals doesn’t mean you have to rigidly stick to them. They can be adjusted as you learn and understand your strengths and weaknesses better. This ensures you do not feel overwhelmed.

• Accountability: Sharing your goals with others, such as language partners or teachers, can create a sense of accountability. This can push you to study consistently and make progress.

• Confidence building: Achieving language learning goals boosts your confidence. As you reach milestones, you’ll feel more competent and capable in the language, encouraging you to keep going.

• Clarity in learning path: Goals help you plan your learning path. For example, if your goal is to travel and communicate effectively in a foreign country, you might prioritize conversational skills over more academic aspects.

• Structured learning: Goals provide structure to your learning process. They help you avoid feeling lost or overwhelmed, especially when you’re confronted with a large body of material to learn.

• Long-term commitment: Learning a language can be a long-term endeavor. Having goals ensures you remain committed, even when the initial excitement wanes.

10 immersion techniques for language fluency!

So, you’ve mastered a second (or third) language?!

Congratulations!

You’re feeling pretty awesome, right?

Well, now comes the tricky part: keeping that fluency intact while navigating the wild world of online language learning. Here’s how to stay sharp and fluent in this digital age:

1. Conversation is key

There is no other way: maintaining fluency means using your language skills regularly. 

Thanks to the internet, you have access to a global community. Speaky app has a huge one, by the way!. But you can also find online language forums and social media groups over there! 

It’s absolutely necessary to chat with native speakers or fellow learners – virtual conversations are a goldmine for practice.

2. Embrace language learning communities

The online world is brimming with language learning communities, from Reddit’s language-specific subreddits to language learning Discord servers. Joining these communities can be a goldmine for resources, questions, and most importantly, chatting  with people who share your passion.

3. Listen, watch, repeat

Couch potato? 

Perfect! 

Listening and watching content in your target language is a fun way to maintain flanguage luency. Stream foreign films, TV shows, or music. Start with subtitles if needed and gradually transition to watching without them. This visual immersion is not only enjoyable but also fantastic for learning colloquial expressions and accents.

Try following YouTube channels or podcasts in your chosen language. Mimic the accents and pronunciation, at least for a while (it’s how babies acquire language naturally). The more you expose yourself, the more natural your fluency will become.

By the way, watching TV and videos is something natives do frequently.

4. Read, read, and read some more

Reading books, newspapers, blogs, or any content in your target language is a fantastic (and underrated) way to boost vocabulary and comprehension. Pick a topic you’re passionate about, and dive in. 

If you’re not quite at an advanced level for this kind of reading, start with classic children’s books or simple stories in your target language. Then work your way up to newspapers, novels, and blogs. 

How could someone be fluent in a new language without a vast vocabulary and sentence structures?!

5. Online classes and tutors

Online classes and tutors are game-changers for language fluency. Websites like iTalki and Verbling offer one-on-one paid sessions with native speakers or certified teachers. If you can afford them, regular classes or sessions can provide structured learning and a dedicated platform for practice.

6. Challenge yourself

Don’t shy away from challenges. Try giving short speeches to online partners! Challenges push you out of your comfort zone and help refine your language skills.

7. Schedule your practice

Consistency is key. Set aside specific times each day or week for language practice. This helps create a routine and ensures you don’t lose touch with your language skills.

8. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes

Mistakes are part of the learning process. You used to make lots of (funny) mistakes when you were a baby and today… you master your mother tongue. 

Don’t be afraid to stumble over words or construct a grammatically wonky sentence! Mistakes are valuable lessons for your brain.

9. Go live with locals 

One of the most effective ways to learn is by speaking with native speakers. Attend local meetups where you can converse with people fluent in your target language. 

Or use language exchange platforms, like Speaky! 

Speaking with native speakers exposes you to authentic pronunciation and conversational styles.

10. Travel abroad (if you can)

If the opportunity arises, travel to a place where the language is spoken. There’s no better way to immerse yourself than living (or traveling) in a foreign country. You’ll be surrounded by the language 24/7, and need will quickly become your language tutor. 

Fun ways to cheer progress on your fluency journey

So you had your first conversation meeting on the Speaky app and were able to make yourself understood?

Celebrate the achievement with these ideas:

Treat yourself to a cultural feast

One of the most delightful ways to celebrate language milestones is through food. Explore a local restaurant that serves dishes from the country where your target language is spoken. 

But if you don’t have such an opportunity in your city, just grab a recipe in your new language and… head to the kitchen! Listen to some music in that language while you savor your dish.

You’ll not only enjoy delicious cuisine but also immerse yourself in the culture and language even more. Bon appétit or buen provecho!

Schedule a language movie night

Reward yourself with a movie night featuring films or TV shows in your target language. Pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and enjoy a cinematic journey while sharpening your listening skills. Add subtitles if you’re feeling fancy, and you’ll be amazed at how much you understand.

If you can, call local friends to join you.

Share your success on social media

Share your language learning achievements on social media. A humble post about your latest milestone can be a source of encouragement and accountability. Plus, it’s a way to connect with other language learners who can cheer you on and share their own experiences.

Music celebration

Create a playlist of songs in your target language. When you reach a milestone, blast your tunes and have a dance party. You’ll have so much fun grooving to the music that you won’t even realize you’re learning.

Just don’t overdo it by singing too loudly – your neighbor might get annoyed…

Learning games night

Invite your language-learning friends for a game night – or do it alone. 

Websites like Test your language and Sprachecaffe are free and offer several language options. 

Set a bigger goal

As you hit your milestones, consider setting larger language goals. 

Maybe aim for a certificate in a course on any subject, which is taught in your new language, or engage in deeper conversations with new partners… Or even plan a trip abroad for the future.

Give back and teach

When you’ve reached a certain level of fluency in your new language, consider teaching others who are at an earlier stage in their language journey. Sharing your knowledge and helping others achieve their milestones is a gratifying way to celebrate your own progress.

You can do this on a voluntary basis, in your own country, for people who can’t afford it – 

Summing up

So, there you have it! Staying fluent in a new language on your own isn’t rocket science. Just keep practicing our tips and don’t be too hard on yourself when you stumble. It’s all part of the journey. 

Most of all, chat with native speakers in Speaky and remember: fluency is all about the journey, not just the destination.