Tips to help achieve your language learning resolutions

ÃÛÌÒapp Languages
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Reading time: 4 minutes

Welcome to the beginning of a new year, filled with countless possibilities and exciting opportunities for learning a new language. If you're like most people, you probably have some language learning resolutions and goals you'd like to achieve this year.

While setting these goals is easy, sticking to them can appear daunting. But don't worry, we’re here to help you not only set those goals but also achieve them like a pro. Below are some useful tips to help turn your language aspirations into reality this year and to keep you motivated towards your goals.

Tips to help acheive your language learning resolutions
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Have clear and specific goals

Having very broad goals can make it hard to track progress and stay motivated. Start by setting precise and achievable language learning goals. Instead of a vague "I want to learn Spanish," aim for something specific like "I want to hold a 10-minute conversation in Spanish by June". This way, you'll have a clear idea of what you're working towards and be able to track your progress more effectively.

Break it down

Large tasks can be intimidating; divide your goals into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, if you aim to learn 500 new words this year, break it down into a monthly or weekly target. By doing this, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and make steady progress toward your ultimate objective. Breaking down large tasks into smaller ones can also help you identify any potential roadblocks or challenges that may arise along the way.

Keep it consistent

Consistency is key to building any habit or skill. Establish a study routine that fits your schedule. Whether it's dedicating 30 minutes every day or longer sessions a few times a week, find what works for you and stick to it. Creating an overly ambitious study routine can lead to burnout, and that could eventually cause you to lose interest and motivation. So it's crucial to pace yourself and keep your routine manageable.

Explore different resources

Explore different language learning resources that fit your learning style and keep your study sessions engaging. Experiment with language learning apps such as Ìýor to build your vocabulary. You can also use language exchange platforms like Ìýto practice speaking, watch YouTube channels and listen to podcasts to immerse yourself in the language.

Broaden horizons

It's important not to rely solely on textbooks while learning a new language. You can also enhance your language skills by watching movies, listening to music or podcasts, reading books, comics or articles, and following social media accounts in your target language. Even if you have the radio playing in the background while doing everyday tasks, it can help you immerse yourself in the language and improve your understanding.

Language companions and communities

Join language exchange groups or find a study partner. Engaging with others on the same journey can motivate and keep you accountable. There are groups on social media you can discover or free apps like to find like-minded language learners.

Keep track

Document your language learning journey by tracking milestones, word count and speaking progress. Reflect on progress to stay motivated.

It's important to track your progress to stay motivated and achieve your goals. This can involve keeping a record of milestones you reach, such as mastering a new grammatical concept or learning a certain number of vocabulary words. Tracking your word count can also be helpful, whether it's the number of new words you learn or the amount of time you spend practicing your language skills.

Reflecting on your progress can also help you identify areas you need to improve and adjust your learning strategy accordingly. Having a record of your learning can be a great motivator on days when your drive to learn is low or if you're considering quitting. You can look back and see how far you've come already.

Be kind to yourself

Learning a new language takes time, effort and patience. Accept mistakes as part of the process, stay positive and avoid being too hard on yourself.

Remember that everyone has good and bad days, and that obstacles are a normal part of the learning journey. Don't give up, keep pushing forward and you will see progress. You can achieve your language learning goals with dedication, practice and determination.

Treat yourself

Celebrate your achievements along the way. Treat yourself when you reach milestones to stay motivated and encouraged. It can help your brain associate learning with positive things.

Remember, celebrating your achievements doesn't have to be grand or costly. It can be as simple as treating yourself to something you enjoy, such as your favorite snack or drink. Alternatively, you could take some time to relax and unwind or even go for a walk outside and enjoy the fresh air. Whatever you enjoy doing.

Keep things flexible

Language learning isn't a one-size-fits-all process. What worked for your friend or classmate might not work for you. Be flexible with your approach. If a particular learning method isn't working for you, don't hesitate to switch it up. Learning is about finding what works best for you.

These don't have to be huge changes. It could be something as small as changing the presentation of your notes or even changing the color for it to be easier to read. Everyone is unique in what they work best with.Ìý

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With these tips in mind and a little hard work and perseverance, you can achieve your language learning goals and make sure to stay on track. So, are you ready to take your language skills to new heights in 2024?

If you need a little guidance or inspiration, make sure to check out our language learning blog throughout the year, as well as our language learning appÌý, to help keep you working on your language goals.

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    Measuring language popularity is a complex task that involves various factors, including the number of native speakers, global influence, and use as a second or foreign language. The criteria for measuring language popularity include:

    • Number of native speakers: This refers to the number of people who speak a language as their first or native language. Languages with the highest number of native speakers often have a significant cultural and historical impact.

    • Global influence: This measures the extent to which a language is used in international communication, business, science and diplomacy. Languages with a broad global influence are often used as lingua francas in various regions.

    • Use as a second or foreign language: This considers the number of people who speak a language as a second language or foreign language. Languages that are widely taught and learned around the world tend to have a larger speaking population.

    By considering these criteria, we can better understand why certain languages are more prominent and widely spoken globally.

    Top 10 most spoken languages in the world

    Here’s a closer look at the ten most spoken languages by number of speakers:

    When evaluating these languages, it's important to consider not just the number of native speakers but also the total number of language speakers, including those who speak it as a second language.

    1. English

    Speakers: Approximately 1.5 billion

    Native speakers: Around 360 million

    Regions: Widely spoken in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

    Highlights: English is the most widely spoken language worldwide when combining native and non-native speakers. It's the primary language in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. English is the dominant language in international business, science and technology.

    2. Mandarin Chinese

    Speakers: Over 1.1 billion

    Native speakers: About 920 million

    Regions: Mainly in China, Taiwan and Singapore

    Highlights: Mandarin is the language with the largest number of native speakers. It's one of the six official languages of the United Nations and has a significant cultural and historical importance.

    3. Hindi

    Speakers: Around 600 million

    Native speakers: Approximately 341 million

    Regions: Predominantly in India and Nepal

    Highlights: Hindi is predominantly spoken in India and Nepal, with approximately 341 million native speakers. It is one of the official languages of India and is spoken by a large portion of the Indian population. It has numerous dialects and is written in the Devanagari script.

    4. Spanish

    Speakers: Approximately 560 million

    Native speakers: About 460 million

    Regions: Spain, Latin America and parts of the United States

    Highlights: Spanish is the official language in 21 countries and is widely spoken in the Americas. In many of these countries, Spanish serves as the national language, playing a crucial role in government, education and media. It’s known for its rich literature and cultural heritage.

    5. French

    Speakers: Around 280 million

    Native speakers: About 77 million

    Regions: France, parts of Africa, Canada, Belgium and Switzerland

    Highlights: French is another of the six official languages of the United Nations. It's widely used in international diplomacy and has a significant number of speakers in Africa due to France's colonial history.

    6. Arabic

    Speakers: Approximately 270 million

    Native speakers: Around 310 million

    Regions: Middle East and North Africa

    Highlights: Arabic is a central Semitic language that is the liturgical language of Islam. It has many dialects, with Modern Standard Arabic being used in formal settings and media. Arabic has numerous spoken forms, with significant variations in dialects across different regions.

    7. Bengali

    Speakers: Around 265 million

    Native speakers: About 230 million

    Regions: Bangladesh and parts of India

    Highlights: Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh and the second most spoken language in India. Alongside other languages like Hindi and Urdu, Bengali plays a crucial role in the cultural and linguistic landscape of the region. It’s known for its rich literary tradition.

    8. Portuguese

    Speakers: Approximately 220 million

    Native speakers: Around 220 million

    Regions: Brazil, Portugal and parts of Africa

    Highlights: Portuguese is mainly spoken in Brazil, which is the largest Portuguese-speaking country. It has a growing number of speakers in Africa.

    9. Russian

    Speakers: Around 258 million

    Native speakers: Approximately 154 million

    Regions: Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia

    Highlights: Russian is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and is widely spoken in the former Soviet Union countries.

    10. Japanese

    Speakers: Approximately 128 million

    Native speakers: Around 128 million

    Regions: Japan

    Highlights: Japanese is predominantly spoken in Japan and is known for its three writing systems—Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. It has a rich cultural history and is influential in technology and entertainment.

    Conclusion

    Understanding the most spoken languages in the world can provide valuable insights for language learners. Developing strong language skills in these world languages can open up numerous opportunities for travel, business and cultural exchange. Whether you’re looking to enhance your travel experiences, broaden your cultural horizons, or improve your career prospects, learning one of these widely spoken languages could be a significant advantage.

    Ready to start your language learning journey? Learn a new language with Mondly by ÃÛÌÒapp.