Kristina Trojak
Graphic depicting a woman reading a book while sitting on top of a pile of large books surrounded by various graphics including a phone, globe, television, speech bubbles and music notes. (Hustler Staffer-in-Training/Kristina Trojak)
So you want to learn a language. You’re in the class, or self-studying, and ready to get to work … but where do you start?
Fortunately, there is a wide range of resources at your fingertips –– free of charge! Whether on Vanderbilt’s campus or accessible from the comfort of your dorm, you have numerous options to support your language-learning journey.
On-campus resources
Language learning tables
Vanderbilt offers free weekly language learning tables to facilitate speaking in a specific foreign language. These gatherings take place in campus dining halls such as Carmichael, Rothschild and Zeppos, where the menus change to reflect cuisines from the dialects being spoken that night. Currently, Vanderbilt offers language tables in Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, German, Hindi-Urdu, Arabic and Sanskrit. These sessions are drop-in, and you can stay for as long as you’d like.
Conversation hour
Similar to language learning tables, conversation hour offers another opportunity to speak with others who are fluent in or are learning your target language. Some conversation hours include food and games. Conversation hour currently encompasses Haitian Creole, German, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Hebrew and Hindi/Urdu.
On-campus tutor
Individual language practice may scare you, but don’t let that hold you back! Like many departments at Vanderbilt, the language department offers one-on-one tutoring in a wide variety of languages. Currently, they offer tutoring in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi/Urdu, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. These sessions are offered at specific times during the week, except for Spanish which is offered by appointment only.
Tip: Look for events related to the language you are learning on and off campus! Even if you don’t speak to other people in your target language, you can learn a lot about a culture associated with it.
Media resources
TV/movies
When it comes to language learning, immersive experiences are key. Watching TV, movies or similar content in your target language can expose you to various key components of the language such as its natural flow, new vocabulary and grammar. If you can, watching with the subtitles on in your target language has been shown to greatly boost listening comprehension as long as the subtitles are accurate. Netflix and other streaming services generally offer audio and captioning in a selection of languages. You can also look for public broadcasting in your target language which is commonly free.
YouTube
Like TV and movies, YouTube is another great resource for video-based language content. In addition to vlogs or stories in your target language, you can also find videos specifically targeted for language learners. These videos can help clarify grammar and pronunciation or teach new vocabulary. You can also look up, “Slow (language)” and find videos of speakers talking at a slower, beginner-friendly, speed.
Music
Studies show that the same brain region used for music is also used for language. Music can be a fun method of exposure to your target language, introducing you to a wider vocabulary and helping you to get a better sense of its rhythm. Not only can listening to music in the language help with your actual learning process, but it can also help you become more engaged culturally by learning new musical styles and the use of slang. However, you do have to be mindful when listening to music in your target language because songs don’t always mirror spoken dialogue. The musical artist may be more slack with grammar rules or word phrases unusually in the name of rhythm and melody.
Podcasts
Another on-the-go audio option for boosting your listening skills in your target language is listening to podcasts. Everything from news to romance to life advice is covered in podcast form. You can also listen to podcasts specifically made for learners of the language you are trying to acquire for content that is slower, or more intentionally educational.
Tip: Read in your target language. Read the news, read books, etc! There are certain sites with stories geared towards different language levels. Take advantage of them!
Apps
Duolingo
Duolingo is the free language learning app everybody knows. The app largely focuses on a method of language acquisition called “implicit learning” — a way of discovering language patterns as you go along, similar to how children do when learning a language — but also incorporates more explicit methods of language learning as they see fit. Duolingo is formatted like a game with leaderboards and streaks to make language acquisition fun.
Memrise
Memrise is a language learning application that focuses primarily on vocabulary through three key areas of study: learning words, hearing words (via native speaker videos) and practicing those words with AI. Memrise operates on a system known as “spaced repetition,” where they calculate when a word may be fading from your long-term memory, and then have you review it. It also offers a section titled “My words” where you can see all the words you have studied and do a practice review of them.
Quizlet
Perhaps not quite as flashy a method, but it can be very beneficial to look up Quizlet sets with words in your target language. You can look up “flashcard” stacks related to content you are learning in class or look up random sets to expand your vocabulary. Quizlet has various features to learn with these sets, but I mostly stick to going through the flashcards — sorting them into words I know and don’t — and continuously studying the ones I don’t know.
Tip: Change the language of the technology that you interact with to your target language. Things such as your phone, laptop and video games generally have various language options available.
Most importantly, have fun! If you stress yourself out too much, you won’t want to practice and if you don’t practice, you won’t learn. Watch content that you are interested in. Make friends who speak the language. Listen to genres of music that you like. The more you can let yourself enjoy the process, the more you will naturally want to engage in it, so allow yourself to enjoy it!