Let’s say, you want to add new skills to your CV by learning a new language, or, you just want to learn that one language you have always wished for; but somehow were unable to do so. Well, one of the best ways to learn a language as a native speaker would be to travel to the country to learn it perfectly. Unfortunately, those who want the same, including you, don’t have the time, money, or opportunity to do so. So, what do you do?

Considerately, learning a foreign language has become almost cheap in order to get an efficient learning, with the help of the internet and technology through applications, websites, and platforms that provide online tutoring.

Hey! Are you still wondering whether learning a language online is for real or am I just joking? Well, pinch yourself and believe me, this is actually happening! Therefore, it’s not necessary to go abroad to learn a language. So, are you looking for some ways to learn a language online and,also, where to find a cost-efficient yet profitable platform? Don’t worry I’ve got your back!

Here are the five ways to learn a new language online:-

1. Reading e-books, short stories, online comicsand articles (by consulting a dictionary)

   While learning a language reading is essential becausereading helps you learn new words and fortifies them by remembering and re-using them in sentences while thinking, writing and speaking.It also helps you learn words in context. This means that reading not only teaches you new words but also, simultaneously gives you the context in which you should use certain words which fit in the context and go with other relevant words and sentences. Not only that, reading helps you get familiar with the frequently used words by learning to pick out the most useful words. These make reading extremely important and also, enjoyable!

2. Watching movies, videos and documentaries

   Ever thought of trying to learn a language while watching a movie or web series? Films are motivating and entertaining especially when learning a new language. You not only enjoy the visuals but it also provides a source of varied language. Try watching a movie of a language you barely understand with subtitles of your mother tongue or of the same language of the movie. It might seem a bit funny but it’s helpful while learning a language. It ameliorates your comprehension.

3. Listening to songs and podcasts

   Music is a powerful way of learning a language. For, listening to music and trying to follow, understand the lyrics or words of a song/ podcast can assimilate the syntax and enrich vocabulary and improve comprehension as well. Music also helps with memorisation by following the rhythm, tone and cadence in general. Moreover, your attention span andpronunciation get better because music helps activating both sides of the brain.In the case of podcasts, vocabulary, pronunciation, comprehension and attentiveness are refined.

4. Writing

   Writing is one of the most important exercises related to language learning and a very effective way of converting passive vocabulary into active. When you keep writing new words in the language you are learning, it helps the brain retain them, allowing you to access them later. It can also give you a great understanding on how to integrate words into sentences. It helps you polish the foreign language’s grammar as well.

To begin with, you could try writing easy and short sentences by consulting a dictionary and by memorising a few of the simplest of tenses to not confuse yourself. You could also try using GoogleTranslate for correcting your sentences by translating them to your mother tongue.Although, it could be difficult for a beginner but remember, good writers are good readers!

5. Chatting with an online friend

   Speech is important for learning and it’s as important as the other points I have mentioned earlier. For example, if you have a friend from Denmark, you can ask them to teach you some words and request them to speak to you in their mother tongue,Dutch. This way you will be obliged to understand what they are saying to you and you must answer them in the same language as well. For a change, you could try playing word games with your friend.

   Nevertheless, typing and conversing the language to say what you want to is a good practise too. However, making mistakes is evident for any learner; please don’t be harsh on yourself for it. For, making mistakes while,any of kind learning, especially learning a language is for the betterment of the learner even though it might sound contradicting and discouraging. You can ask your friend to correct your mistakes while speaking to them. It might get a little annoying at first; however you must understandit’s for your improvement and betterment and so, you must respect their time.

6. Online tutoring

   Online tutoring is the new way tolearn any subject you could think of, especially the academic ones which don’t need physical movement.This method is the latest of all the methods I have mentioned previously.Online tutoring/learning is one of the most efficient and convenient yet beneficial methods of learning. Online learning can be live and/not as well. However, it is the best among all the other methods because it can include each of them and yet be affordable and sometimes even free!

   So, let’s see why it’s better than all the options and how all the options are interconnected.

   • Reading e-books, short stories, online comics and articles (by consulting a dictionary) are of course a great way of learning. However, you wouldn’t manage reading if you don’t know the pronunciation of words, tenses, and lack vocabulary.
   • Watching movies, videos and documentaries might be entertaining and exciting but only if you already understand the language already will you be able to grab the words and sentences when spoken relatively fast because you are still learning. For this, you need to gather a bit of reading and comprehension skills before watching any kind of motion picture.
   • Listening to songs and podcasts are also an efficient way to learn a new language. The problem arises when you don’t have any idea and don’t manage following anything at all which is understandable, again. For this, you need to know a bit of the language and communication beforehand.
   • Writing is as essential as reading. So, for writing you must know the tenses and have somewhat of a vocabulary.
   • Chatting with an online friend is fun and light and educational too but not as much as the other points because chat rooms are mostly for nothing really serious. And it’s not always easy to find a friend who would seriously help you.
   • Finally, online tutoring/learning is the most beneficial as some platforms have live tutors and others don’t. So, why is online learning the best method to learn a foreign language? Well, it’s because of platforms which provide readymade courses and lessons online for beginners, intermediate and also, advanced learners. Online learning can be used almost at any time of the day and you can still learn as good as any other options would provide you with help for learning. These are non-live platforms which are handled by bots and they are mostly pre-planned courses. And the ones which provide live tutoring are not very common. If they have live native speaking tutors, they are pretty expensive and not everybody can afford such platforms. So, what to do? Hold on. What if I told you about a platform which has free trials and trials, affordable courses with live friendly native speaking tutors? Luckily, there is such a platform! It’s like a wish getting fulfilled, right? Well, it’s known as Language Mingle.

   Language Mingle not only provides live, amazing, friendly, native tutors but would also help you learn the language according achieve yours goals and interests So, you could include all these points I have mentioned above. Additionally, I would recommend Language Mingle to you and anybody who wants to learn a language becauseeach course is personalized for every individual! They have a Spanish group specifically for Spanish learners on Facebook.

   Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SpanishLM/?source_id=344442006186267

   So, are you ready to join us? For more info: –www.languagemingle.com

   Author: Shweta G.,   shwetag@languagemingle.com