We all know that person who’s been on language apps but never speaks. That is not the way to get fluent. How to Get Fluent in Any Language To become fluent, focus on four essential skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. For speaking practice, the gold standard is to talk to a human. ⭐️ Real conversations are like rocket fuel for language learning progress. Where to Find Great Speaking Practice in Any Language While it’s free to talk to your friend or partner, there’s a better shortcut to learning a language: find a tutor! Tutors are the best because they listen patiently while you ..read more

Immersion is often touted as one of the fastest and most effective methods for language learning.  But is it truly the best approach for everyone?  In this discussion, we will explore the potential benefits and challenges of immersion courses, and consider whether it suits your individual learning goals and preferences. We will examine what immersion entails, how it can enhance your results when you learn languages, and whether it aligns with your personal learning style. Contents Join the Fluent Newsletter for More Language Learning Tips What's an Immersion Language Course? Advantag ..read more

For a long time, I had a difficult relationship with goal-setting. As a fully-fledged questioner, I find it hard to take anything at face value, let alone the idea that I must have a goal to achieve anything. When I was learning languages in full-time education environments like school and university, the goals weren't on my mind. My school sorted that out for me: turn up to classes, write essays, take exams. But since I've started working with independent language learners (and since I became one), goals have taken an entirely different role. As an independent language learner, you need to kn ..read more

How would you like to learn a language with the help of a famous musician? Sounds awesome, right? Truthfully, the idea isn’t so far-fetched. Learning a new language isn’t all about studying grammar and memorizing vocabulary. In fact, many of us have listened to music in another language and even learned a few things from our favourite songs. For example, who knew the name of Seoul’s cool kid district before "Gangnam Style" became a sensation? As you can see, it’s always a good idea to explore music in your target language. Using music to learn a language can help you feel more connected and i ..read more

Here's a dream scenario: Watch an hour of German TV every day. Within two months, you will understand everything. Think that's impossible? Well, you're kind of right. No passive activity is going to give you a huge result if that's all you do. But working with TV, podcasts and radio shows does deliver excellent results. It's not just a great addition to language learning routines that lack interaction. Using content like this also saves your lessons and study time from terrible dullness. Contents Understand German Grammar In Minutes Without Frustration So How Difficult Should A Show Be? How T ..read more

A language tutor can teach you the ins and outs of your target language, and help you achieve your learning goals faster and easier. But how much should you pay for a language tutor? There are different online teaching platforms where you can choose from a wide range of tutors with different backgrounds, levels, and prices.  For example, on italki*, one of the most popular online language learning platforms, you can find tutors who charge as low as $5 per hour or as high as $50 per hour. You can even find great language exchanges for free!.  So what’s the difference? Read this articl ..read more

I’m putting it on record: AI took me by surprise. As a pen-and-paper lover who’s never too far from her language learning journal, most language learning apps have failed to capture my heart. Sure, Duolingo has a cute owl, but I never progressed fully out of the skeptic state myself (here’s my 2020 review). So when the latest AI tools and chatbots became popular, I was surprised by how exciting it felt! Unlike curriculum-driven apps, these new tools added the flexibility and fun that I had been missing for my languages. So today, let’s discover how you can start taking advantage of it for you ..read more

Everyone and their dog knows that language learning is easier, faster, and more fun when you have found a great language partner. It makes it so much fun when you can easily practice your vocabulary with someone you really want to speak to. In this article, I'm going to tell you the best tips from our Fluent Show episode with Lindsay Williams and Jonathan Huggins, who runs several community challenges and groups for language learners. Listen to the episode here: Ready to level up your language learning game with my very best tips? Then make sure you join the Fluent Language newsletter right ..read more

Are you one of the many language learners who have attempted to build a language learning routine, but have found yourself falling off the wagon? If you’re wondering “What’s the secret to learning a language once and for all?”, I’ve got your back. A lot of language learners struggle because they get trapped in apps or stuck in complicated study plans. Today, let’s dig into where you might be getting stuck and talk through some easy, practical solutions that will help you build an effective language learning routine. Contents 1. Why do most attempts at building a language learning routine fail ..read more

Let me just switch on my psychic super-skills for a minute and guess who you are. Are you a  language learner who spends an hour or two online every day and likes getting new tips and ideas for your language learning? If that is you, then this article is for you more than ever. I don't see enough of real people dedicating time to language learning along their normal lives. If you're learning a language in the evening, at the weekend, in your lunch break, make your voice heard because you will inspire so many others. Well guys, here we are nearly half way through the year. It's ti ..read more