First things first:
- Engage with media in the target language (e.g., movies, series, podcasts) to immerse yourself in the language and culture.
- Use social media to follow international accounts and actively comment in the foreign language.
- Find virtual tandem partners for regular practice and cultural exchange.
- Read books or articles in the foreign language to expand vocabulary and complex sentence structures.
- Integrate the foreign language into everyday life, e.g. with language learning apps, everyday translations and trips to regions where the language is spoken.
Let’s face it—language learning often ends after the final school year or university semester. But what happens next? Languages are alive, and to keep your skills from fading into the background, you’ll need some simple strategies to stay engaged. Here are a few tips to keep a foreign language active in your life—almost effortlessly!
Consuming media in the target language
Netflix and Learn! One of the easiest ways to stay on top of things is to consume media such as series, movies, podcasts or YouTube videos in your second language. Choose content that genuinely interests you—whether it’s educational documentaries or comedy shows. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime offer a wide variety of multilingual content. YouTube and Spotify also have extensive libraries of podcasts to help you not only learn the language but also gain cultural insights.
Pro tip: Start with movies or series you’re already familiar with. Knowing the storyline makes it easier to focus on the language itself since you already know the content.
Integrate the language via social media
Social media is another great way to brush up on your language skills. Follow international accounts that provide valuable content—whether it’s travel bloggers, chefs, authors, or athletes. News outlets and meme pages in your target language are also a fun way to engage with the language on a daily basis.
Pro tip: If you’re feeling brave, start commenting on posts or engaging in interactions. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter provide a casual space to practice writing and get comfortable with informal language styles.
Find virtual tandem partners
Need real-life practice with a human counterpart? No problem: in today’s connected world, finding international contacts is easier than ever. Tandem partner apps like Tandem, HelloTalk , or Speaky connect you with native speakers who want to learn your first language while helping you practice theirs. These exchanges allow for natural conversations and an active way to practice your target language.
Pro tip: Schedule regular chats—whether it’s 15 minutes during lunch breaks or weekly virtual meetups. Keeping it consistent ensures ongoing practice without adding stress.
Read books or articles in your target language
Reading books, magazines, or online articles in the language helps enhance vocabulary, comprehension of complex sentence structures, and overall fluency. Start with light, entertaining texts. Young adult novels are especially useful, as they often use clear, modern language. Blogs or news articles on topics you enjoy are also great resources.
Pro tip: Use reading apps like Kindle or Pocket, which often include built-in dictionaries. This makes it easy to look up unfamiliar words and understand them on the spot.
Pro tips for the extra motivated:
- Try having inner dialogues or everyday thoughts in the foreign language—whether grocery shopping, commuting, or before bed.
- Switch your phone and social media apps to the target language. This forces you to learn vocabulary from your digital life intuitively.
- Do you love music? Find songs in your target language and sing along. Translate or analyze lyrics to learn idioms and slang.
Use digital language learning apps
If you only have short time slots that you want to schedule yourself, language learning apps are a good option. Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Memrise offer hands-on exercises that you can do in between. Most apps offer lessons on vocabulary, grammar, and even cultural insights to help you understand different facets of the language.
Pro tip: Set small daily goals—such as 10 minutes a day or one lesson per week. This keeps learning consistent and manageable.
Translate your everyday life
Write shopping lists or to-do lists in your target language, write down your thoughts in a small language diary, or try forming simple sentences in your head as you go about your day. These “mini-translations” naturally incorporate the language into your routine and reinforce basic vocabulary and sentence structures.
Pro tip: If you live with roommates, consider writing sticky notes or shared lists in the target language—it’s a fun challenge and can spark conversations.
Practice through travel
If you have the chance, plan a trip to a country where your target language is spoken. Even a short trip can help you reconnect with the language, improve your listening skills, and immerse you in the culture. Take every opportunity to speak—whether in a restaurant, at a market, or in a museum.
Pro tip: Even short excursions or day trips to regions where the language is spoken, can serve as a quick boost to apply your skills in real-life scenarios.
With these simple tricks and routines, you can keep your language skills alive and reactivate them long after school or language courses are over. Whether through apps, social media, or a tandem partner, there are plenty of fun ways to refresh a language. The key is to keep it light and find methods that fit into your daily life. This way, you’ll stay sharp in your target language and maintain your skills at your own pace.
Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to refresh your language skills in everyday life, such as consuming media in your target language, using language learning apps, finding a tandem partner, or even changing your phone’s settings to the foreign language. These small adjustments help keep your knowledge active and alive.
Watching series and movies in a foreign language can improve both your listening comprehension and sense of the language. Additionally, you’ll learn authentic expressions and idioms within a cultural context, which can enhance your ability to use the language effectively.
There are various tandem apps such as “HelloTalk”, “Tandem” or “Speaky” that connect people worldwide. You can find a partner who wants to learn your native language and with whom you can practice the language regularly – often for free.
Apps such as Babbel, Duolingo, or Memrise offer specialized topics for advanced learners, ranging from conversational exercises to cultural content. These apps are excellent for refreshing and expanding upon your existing language skills.
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