Self-study is the process of learning something on your own. Self-study can be an excellent alternative to traditional classroom learning.
Why learn a new language on your own?
It’s a learning process that gives you the freedom and control over when and where you study instead of following a set schedule. Self-study also comes with many benefits, including lowering costs, reducing stress, and increasing motivation.
Learning a language can be intimidating, especially when you don’t know where to start. But if you learn on your own, you can progress at your own pace and go into depth on the topics you find most interesting. Language self-study allows you to learn in a way that’s most comfortable for you.
You can set your own goals, find materials that match your interests, and study at your own pace. On top of that, self-study often costs less than taking classes at a language school or hiring a private tutor. Self-study can be a great option if you want to learn a language but don’t know who to turn to for help.
You may want to learn a language as a hobby, as a side project, or maybe you need to learn it for work. Self-study allows you to tailor the language learning process to your specific needs, interests, and schedule.
How to self-study a language
To learn a language on your own, you’ll first need to decide what method of self-study you want to use. You can choose from different strategies, like watching videos, reading text, or writing by hand. Self-study can be broken down into four parts:
Get started: Find the right course for you
Finding the right language course can be overwhelming, especially since there are so many options to choose from. You can find language courses online, at your local library or bookstore, or even at your local university if you have the option.
There are different types of language courses you can try, including Classroom-based courses: These courses are taught in a classroom setting by a language teacher. They usually meet at a set time and place each week and incorporate a lot of speaking and listening exercises.
Online courses: Online language courses are web-based programs that allow you to study on your own time through an online platform. They often offer similar content as classroom-based courses, but they don’t require you to meet with other students in person. Self-study guides and books: Some languages have self-study guides available, which can be helpful if you want to study on your own.
Learn vocab and build your base
Learning new words is an essential part of language self-study since it gives you a base for expanding your vocabulary further. You should start your language journey by learning the basics. This includes learning new words for vocabulary that are essential to your language, like numbers, pronouns, or useful verbs.
There are multiple ways to go about this, including memorizing flashcards or playing word games. You can also try out a language-learning app or look for a language course that focuses on the fundamentals.
Watch videos and listen to conversations
Videos are an excellent way to get familiar with the language, especially if you’re studying a language that isn’t spoken in your country. Listening to native speakers talk about topics that interest you can help you learn to speak the language more naturally.
There are tons of online video libraries where you can find video content in your target language. You can also search for “conversation podcasts,” where you can find audio in your target language. You can watch and listen in your spare time, whenever you want.
To get the most out of watching and listening to videos in your target language, make sure to use subtitles when available. This helps you follow the conversation and understand what’s being said.
Read the text and write by hand
Reading in your target language is a great way to reinforce what you’ve learned and learn new vocabulary at the same time. You can start by reading short stories or articles in your target language. You can find these in books, online, or even on social media. You can also read translated books, which are books originally written in English language but translated into your target language.
Writing in your target language can be a great way to reinforce the words you’ve learned. You can write out the translations for words you’ve learned or even write out your thoughts in your target language.
Self-study is an effective strategy
One of the best ways to learn a language is to do it on your own. Self-study allows you to progress at your own pace and incorporate the topics that interest you most.
Finding the right language course can be overwhelming, but it’s worth it for the flexibility and control it offers. You can choose a course that fits your interests and schedule and can progress at your own pace.
When you’re ready to start learning, make sure to incorporate different methods like reading, watching videos, and writing by hand. This will help you get the most out of your self-study and learn a language faster and more effectively.
