8 Ways to Learn a New Language From Home

Being relaxed in the comfort of our home is a terrific advantage to learn a language. If you have schedule issues, try these fun ways to learn language at home. A theory called Environmentalist Theory believes that the environment shapes learning and behavior. But, this does not mean that you can’t learn when you are at home. There are fun ways to learn language at home, and this blog will help you find a way to learn your target language.

1. Binge-Watch on Netflix

 

Have you experienced watching a foreign movie that you will not understand if it is not because of subtitles? Well, you can actually take advantage of that. Binge-watching on Netflix is one of the most common hobbies people do nowadays. It is no doubt that Netflix has really climbed its way up to the top when it comes to movie and series streaming. With several movies and series from different countries available, you will surely be exposed to their different cultures. But, did you know that you can actually use this relaxing time to learn a foreign language without making much effort?

Yes, you read it right. Netflix has this amazing feature where you can watch movies and series and learn a language at the same time. All you have to do is download the chrome extension and follow the instructions. For example, if you want to learn French, you can simply choose it among the options. But, some languages are not available, so try to see if your target language is available. This can surely be a fun way to learn a language because you can also learn a language aside from doing something relaxing. How amazing is that?

2. Listen to Foreign Music Playlist

Did you know that Filipinos are among the top five avid K-pop fans in the year 2020? But, how come they love Korean music even if they don’t speak Korean? For music lover language learners, this can be a perfect and fun way to learn a language. Imagine being able to listen to music and watch music videos without searching for the translation of the lyrics to your own language?

You can create a foreign music playlist based on your target language. This will help you have a positive attitude towards learning languages. If you were listening to this music over and over again, there’s a big chance of retention. Remembering is the lowest level of learning based on Bloom’s taxonomy but, this can be a good head start to go further.

Language learners might be familiar with foreign music because of Spotify, Itunes, and other digital music services. Music is part of our daily lives. It makes studying, working out, and a lot of other things more exciting. Maybe you already have a subscription to Spotify, a digital music service that is really popular nowadays. If you enjoy listening to music, then why can’t you use it to learn another language?

3. Watch Disney Films

Children love Disney Films. It’s hard to find a single kid who doesn’t know any Disney films or characters. So, why not use it to learn another language? The trick is to watch a Disney film that they already know to be easier for them to follow and pick up new vocabulary.

4. Listen To Podcasts In Target Language

People usually listen to podcasts when they are driving, cleaning their homes, and other menial tasks. In the case of students, they can listen to podcasts as a background while they are studying. Teachers or tutors can also assign a certain podcast that they can listen to as part of their tasks. This is a very good and also one of the fun ways to learn language at home because they can actually hear how native speakers use it in daily conversations. Being exposed to that foreign language will help you widen your vocabulary and learn new words easily without noticing.

5. Play Online Video Games

 

Many students use online video games as an escape from the real world. They play games for fun, but little that you know, they are also learning a language little by little. But, how?

If you are an avid gamer, you are familiar with online games where you can actually play games from people from all over the world. Some examples of these games are Dota 2, Minecraft, Roblox, PUBG, and many other games. Because they want to be successful on their missions, they have to communicate with each other. If the other person says something that they don’t understand, they are actually searching it online. That’s how they learn new vocabulary effortlessly.

Another interesting fact about online games is that they can use discord to communicate with each other. This is where language exchange can actually happen with them. Hearing native speakers speak their native and using chat rooms to communicate can make language learning happen.

6. Find a Friend Who Knows How To Speak The Language

 

A language exchange partner will be a good help. Not only will it make your learning effective but, being with your friend, speaking your target language, might be a great bonding. In addition, you don’t have to be worried that you’ll be criticized for wrong pronunciation, diction, and grammar. Plus, you can do it anywhere and anytime

7. Play the Part of the Movie Character

We all have favorite lines in movies we watch. So why not take it to the next level and pretend to be a character? Try repeating the lines from the movie the same way as the character did. This should include emotions, dictions, and even body gestures. This can actually help you master different language skills like speaking and non-verbal communication.

8. Follow a Native Speaker on Social Media

We all know the power of social media in influencing people. Following influencers who share quality posts can help you learn your target language, even just one word a day. Just scroll through your feed or timeline. You may actually learn something from them.

With the advancement of new technology and the brilliant minds of people who value languages, learning can be fun, exciting, and engaging. Find a way that suits you. There’s nothing wrong with trying something new. Expand your horizons through learning new languages!