Learning a language while working full-time

Woman working in front of a laptop writing something down and smiling
Reading time: 4 minutes

Mastering a new language can be a game-changer for your career. Whether it's for expanding your professional network, exploring new job opportunities, or simply enhancing your cognitive skills, learning a language is an invaluable investment. But how can you juggle language learning with a demanding full-time job? Here are some practical tips designed for busy professionals.

1. Set clear goals

Before you start, it's crucial to set clear, achievable goals. Whether you aim to hold basic conversations, read professional documents, or become fluent, having a specific target will keep you motivated and focused.

2. Integrate learning into your daily routine

Finding time to study can be challenging, but integrating language learning into your daily routine can make it more manageable:

  • Commute time: Use your commute to listen to language podcasts or audiobooks.
  • Lunch breaks: Dedicate 15-20 minutes of your lunch break to review vocabulary or grammar.
  • Evening wind-down: Spend 10 minutes before bed practicing speaking or writing.

3. Use online resources

Modern technology provides a plethora of tools to help you learn a new language without disrupting your schedule:

  • Language learning apps: Apps like Mondly by app allow you to practice during your commute or lunch break.
  • Podcasts and audiobooks: Listen to language lessons during your commute or workout.
  • Online courses: Many websites offer structured courses that you can complete at your own pace.

4. Stay motivated

Staying motivated is crucial to your success. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and remind yourself of the benefits of being multilingual:

  • Track your progress: Keep a journal of your language learning milestones and achievements.
  • Find a study buddy: Partner with a colleague or friend who is also learning the language to keep each other accountable.
  • Reward yourself: Treat yourself when you reach your language learning goals.

5. Explore company resources

Some companies offer resources or discounted access for learning. It's always worthwhile to check if your employer provides:

  • Language classes: On-site or online language classes.
  • Learning platforms: Subscriptions to language learning platforms.
  • Education reimbursement: Financial assistance for language courses as part of professional development.

6. Use your work environment

If your workplace has international colleagues, take advantage of this opportunity to practice. Try to speak with them in their first language or ask for help with pronunciation and vocabulary. Not only will this provide real-world practice, but it will also strengthen your professional relationships.

7. Be consistent and patient

Consistency is key when learning a new language:

  • Daily practice: Even 10-15 minutes a day can lead to significant progress over time.
  • Patience: Language learning is a gradual process. Celebrate small milestones and remain patient with your progress.

Balancing a full-time job with language learning is no small feat, but it's entirely possible with the right strategies. By setting clear goals, integrating learning into your routine, leveraging technology, practicing consistently, engaging with native speakers, making learning fun and staying motivated, you can achieve fluency without sacrificing your professional responsibilities. Ready to start your language learning journey? Take the first step today and open a world of new opportunities.

Read our blog posts 'Ways you can avoid English jargon at work' and 'Clearer alternatives to business jargon'.

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  • A Parent reading to his two children from a book with all three of them laying on the floor

    How can teachers encourage parents to get kids reading at home?

    By Donatella Fitzgerald MBE

    “Sharing a story with your child is one of the most incredible things you can do for them.” – .

    Research shows that getting kids reading at home can increase their reading ability at school – and improve their overall well-being. Parents and guardians can make a big difference. But how can teachers encourage parents to get their children to read more at home? We explore some strategies you can use.

    Tell parents about the benefits

    Reading can give children a break from technology-centered activities. It can help them to relax and unwind; reading a book can make children laugh and feel happier! Through hearing stories, children are also exposed to a rich and broad vocabulary.

    “It is important for teachers to establish contact with parents as much as possible and give very clear guidelines on the benefits of reading, and how they can create a reading routine and help their children read at home,” says Kasia Janitz-De La Rue, Product Development Director at app.

    So, encourage parents to find time for a reading routine. Just before bedtime is a great time, as .

    Give parents practical ideas for reading strategies

    Encourage parents to read with and not to their child. It doesn’t matter how long they set aside to read – just 10 minutes of quality reading time can make a big difference.

    Here are a few tips concrete reading tips for teachers to share with parents:

    • Ask children lots of questions while reading.
    • Use encouragement and praise to keep children engaged. Saying things like “what fantastic ideas” or “you thought so carefully about that, what might happen now?"will keep their minds working.
    • Use their past experiences to talk about what’s being read. Things like “have you learnt about…at school?” or “do you remember when we watched…and found out about…?” are good conversation starters.
    • Tune in and listen to children, and be curious about their interests. “I didn’t know you knew so much about…” or “I love reading stories about…with you,” are good phrases to keep in mind.

    It’s also a great idea to share online resources with parents. You can also suggest that parents look up read-aloud YouTube videos featuring authors, teachers or librarians reading their favorite stories. This way, children can watch and listen as often as they like.

    Recommend graded readers

    Graded readers are books that use language in line with a child‘s learning level. They can help children build confidence, and help slowly expose them to authentic reading levels.

    Encourage parents to identify what genre their child is interested in and show them the readers available. Each time parents see their children move up a level, they’re sure to see their children’s love for reading grow.

    Suggest before, during, and after reading activities

    Before reading

    Parents can take turns with their children to predict what the story is about – or what will happen next. Here is an activity teachers may suggest they try:

    “Start with the cover of the book and the blurb on the back cover. Reveal the cover slowly to ask the child what they can see. Ask them to guess what is on the cover. Once they have seen the cover, ask them questions about the images on the cover – who, what, why, where and how?”

    While reading

    Remind parents to focus on their children’s reading comprehension by using strategies like prediction, questioning, clarifying, and summarising. Teachers can ask parents to:

    • check ideas and understanding as the child reads: ‘So, you think that….’ ‘Did you expect…to happen?’ ‘Why do you think that happened?’
    • use the pictures in the book to help with comprehension
    • describe what is happening and talk about the characters.

    After reading

    Don’t forget: parents can continue to explore the book’s topic once reading time is done! A few ideas to share with parents include:

    • organising a puppet show for family members and siblings after making puppets of the characters in the book
    • having children draw a picture of their favorite character or their favorite page in the story
    • encouraging children to express their opinion on the book.