HOW TO: Learn new languages — 5 strategies that actually worked for me

[#longread, time to read 8-10 min]

It is quite a hot topic for every emigrant or expat. It doesn't make sense to think about life abroad if you don't speak at least English. Often, we talk about one additional language, like Dutch, in my case. In this text, you will find a few really working pieces of advice on how to learn any language and a bit of motivation for it.

Let's make it clear. Learning new languages has never come naturally to me. In fact, I would say I have no innate talent for it at all. If I could, I would have avoided it entirely. But life had other plans for me, and here I am, sharing the tips and tricks that helped me first learn English and now tackle Dutch.

My journey with English was anything but smooth. It took me years — starting in school, continuing through university, and later with private tutors and self-study. And only after I moved to an English-speaking environment did I begin to feel confident actually speaking English. It was a long and challenging process, but eventually, I made it through. So, if you're also like me, just know you are not alone.

Just as I had breathed a sigh of relief about English and started to enjoy the wonderful new world of a new language, a new challenge came to me. Very soon, I found out I had to move to the Netherlands (which is a positive event, of course), and part of the deal was to pass the Dutch integration exam at a B1 level (which requires conversational fluency) within three years. I felt so overwhelmed and had only one thought: "Oh, no! Not again". The first three months of studying Dutch were incredibly tough—I often showed up to lessons with tears in my eyes, feeling completely lost and doubting myself.

What helped me push through was remembering that I'd already done something similar before. I was born into a Russian-speaking environment, and yet I managed to learn English, which now feels far less intimidating. That experience gave me the confidence to believe I could do it again.

Now, I'd like to share the simple strategies that made a big difference for me — both with English and now with Dutch. And who knows? Maybe when I finish with Dutch, I'll take on another language. Anything is possible!

From 'must' to 'want': Find your motivation

Everything starts with a simple question: Why do I need to do this? The flame of motivation has to burn strong. It will help you push through the difficult moments on your study journey. Believe me, they will come—and not just once. Ups and downs are a natural part of this process, and you need a guiding star in your heart that inspires you not to give up.

But it's not enough to simply say, "I need to speak English because I want to live abroad." Why do you want to live abroad? What will it give you? How will it make your life better? It has to be something truly inspiring.

When I started learning English, I dreamed about discovering this big, exciting world and meeting so many interesting people I could talk to. Ten years ago, speaking English was practically a synonym for freedom for me. Now, as I study Dutch, I imagine how I'll freely chat with my partner's family — casually discussing a nice family recipe for apple pie with my mother-in-law, for example. A friend of mine always dreamed of working for Dior in Paris. She started learning French from zero while still living in St. Petersburg. And you know what? She did it.

Speak first, grammar later

Seriously. Nobody cares how perfect your grammar is, especially in the beginning. As long as people understand you, you're good to go. It's surprisingly effective. When kids learn how to speak, no one bothers them with rules—they just pick up words and mimic their parents. Leave perfectionism behind and embrace the mindset of a child. Of course, you will have to learn grammar at some point, but if you already have speaking skills, the grammar will come much more naturally. If I could have implemented this advice at the early stage of my English learning, it could have saved me years.?

Find a great teacher?

What do I mean by "great"? Trust me, I've figured this one out by now. A great language teacher won't:

• overwhelm you with grammar drills, endless exercises, or mountains of homework;
• force you to memorize endless word lists;
• create a high-pressure environment of "faster, higher, stronger"

Instead, a great teacher will:

• create a personalized learning plan based on your goals and needs;
• not just teach grammar and rules but also explain the logic of the language so you can discover the rules yourself as you immerse deeper into it;
• talk to you as much as possible using the language you're studying — ideally only in it. Don't be afraid to work with native speakers! The more you need to explain yourself, the faster your progress will be;
• practice new topics with you actively, not just leave you to figure them out on your own

Last but not least, there has to be "the click" between you and the teacher; you have to simply communicate with that person and feel comfortable.

You may have a question: Anastasia, it is all nice, of course, but having personal lessons is quite a pricey activity. That is true, but I believe a good tutor is like a shortcut through a maze—it gets you to your goal faster and with less frustration. A little tip here: lessons with a tutor are more affordable online with people from different countries. For example, one of my best English teachers was from Armenia and a Dutch tutor in Moscow.

Switch on?

Podcasts, YouTube videos, TikTok and Instagram creators, movies, and series — swap your content to the language you're studying. And use subtitles in the language you're studying, not your native language. Yes, I know it'll feel uncomfortable at first, even frustrating. You might understand only 50% at the beginning and have to rewatch things, but trust me, the payoff is worth it. Eventually, it becomes pure joy.

For English, I made this easier for myself by rewatching my favorite movies in their original language. Since I already knew the plots, I could focus on the dialogue, and the movies took on a new life with the actors' original voices. Also, switch your phone, laptop, and every device you can — it's a game changer. With Dutch, it is a bit more complicated; my level now is around A2. I started to follow Dutch-speaking bloggers, watch local news, and read books for kids. Soon, I think I will be able to listen to podcasts and other more difficult content.

Practice, Practice, Practice

For the first years of learning English, I didn't have anyone to talk to regularly in my daily life. So I found a few people to text with as language exchange partners. There are plenty of platforms to find them. I went the easy route and met people through Tinder. Yep, even Tinder could work for it. People like just to talk sometimes without any romantic context. Some of them became good friends, and they've been thrilled to watch my progress. They often tell me how different our first conversations were compared to how we talk after a year.

Off-top:?

And one more reason for motivation: studies show us (link 1, link 2) that people who speak two or more languages have a chance to postpone possible elderly dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Not a bad bonus, I think.

There you have it – no magic tricks, just real strategies that worked for me. But everyone's journey is different, and I'm curious about yours. What's your experience? Any tips to add? Share your thoughts in the comments. Your insight could be exactly what another learner needs to hear. Now, armed with these ideas and your own determination, go tackle that language.?

You've got this!