{"id":210245,"date":"2019-03-20T00:34:04","date_gmt":"2019-03-19T23:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/?p=210245"},"modified":"2026-06-05T21:55:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T19:55:19","slug":"learn-foreign-language-fast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Learn a Foreign Language Fast and Effectively"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Have you tried everything and still feel like you&#8217;re barely getting started? Or maybe you&#8217;re ready to pick up a new language but have no idea which approach is actually worth your time? <strong>Effective language learning is something I&#8217;ve spent serious money chasing over the past year<\/strong> \u2014 on courses, private tutors and textbooks \u2014 and a good chunk of that money was completely wasted. <strong>So what actually worked, and what didn&#8217;t?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#How_to_Start_Speaking_a_New_Language\" >How to Start Speaking a New Language<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Which_Languages_I_Wanted_to_Learn\" >Which Languages I Wanted to Learn<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Everything_We_Tried\" >Everything We Tried<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#1_Group_Language_Classes_at_Language_Institutes\" >1) Group Language Classes at Language Institutes<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#The_Course_Wasnt_Effective\" >The Course Wasn&#8217;t Effective<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Native-Speaker-Only_Teaching_Didnt_Work_for_Us\" >Native-Speaker-Only Teaching Didn&#8217;t Work for Us<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#How_to_Get_the_Most_Out_of_a_Course\" >How to Get the Most Out of a Course<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Pros_of_Language_Institute_Courses\" >Pros of Language Institute Courses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Cons_of_Language_Institute_Courses\" >Cons of Language Institute Courses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Who_Are_Group_Courses_Best_For\" >Who Are Group Courses Best For?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#2_Private_Language_Lessons_for_Beginners\" >2) Private Language Lessons for Beginners<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Pros_of_Private_Tutoring\" >Pros of Private Tutoring<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Cons_of_Private_Tutoring\" >Cons of Private Tutoring<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#3_Best_Apps_for_Learning_a_Language\" >3) Best Apps for Learning a Language<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Duolingo\" >Duolingo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Mondly\" >Mondly<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Memrise\" >Memrise<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Pros_of_Language_Learning_Apps\" >Pros of Language Learning Apps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Cons\" >Cons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Who_Are_Language_Apps_Best_For\" >Who Are Language Apps Best For?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#4_What_Worked_Best_for_Us_Online_Language_Courses\" >4) What Worked Best for Us: Online Language Courses<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#What_Courses_Does_Onlinejazykycz_Offer\" >What Courses Does Onlinejazyky.cz Offer?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Pros_of_Online_Language_Courses\" >Pros of Online Language Courses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Cons-2\" >Cons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Who_Are_Online_Courses_Best_For\" >Who Are Online Courses Best For?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#5_Self-Study_Language_Textbooks_%E2%80%94_Which_Is_Best\" >5) Self-Study Language Textbooks \u2014 Which Is Best?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Pros_of_Self-Study_Textbooks\" >Pros of Self-Study Textbooks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Cons-3\" >Cons<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Conversation_Practice_%E2%80%94_How_to_Start_Speaking_via_Video_Call\" >Conversation Practice \u2014 How to Start Speaking via Video Call<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Final_Thoughts\" >Final Thoughts<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Break_Through_Your_Mental_Block\" >Break Through Your Mental Block<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Third_Tip_Language_Learning_Should_Never_Feel_Like_Torture\" >Third Tip: Language Learning Should Never Feel Like Torture<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/learn-foreign-language-fast\/#Can_You_Learn_a_Language_in_4_Weeks\" >Can You Learn a Language in 4 Weeks?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Start_Speaking_a_New_Language\"><\/span>How to Start Speaking a New Language<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before I dive into the actual methods, let me give you a quick backstory. <strong>If you&#8217;ve been following us for a while, you probably know that both of us speak fluent English.<\/strong> But that wasn&#8217;t always the case. I had a decent foundation from school, <strong>but I was terrified of actually speaking.<\/strong> A lot of you will recognise that feeling \u2014 and that&#8217;s exactly why I&#8217;ll come back to it <strong>at the end of this article.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Languages_I_Wanted_to_Learn\"><\/span>Which Languages I Wanted to Learn<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Last year, once we&#8217;d got English down, I decided it was time to add another language to the mix. <strong>In the past I&#8217;d had a go at German, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.presto-skola.cz\/akademie\/jak-se-naucit-francouzsky\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.presto-skola.cz\/akademie\/jak-se-naucit-francouzsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">French<\/a> and Polish<\/strong> \u2014 but I always managed to find an excuse to quit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Everything_We_Tried\"><\/span>Everything We Tried<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When we were in Canada, I completely fell for Spanish (yes, I know \u2014 Canada and Spanish is a funny combination) and made up my mind to learn it properly. <strong>Luk\u00e1\u0161 and I tried everything.<\/strong> We attended classes at language institutes, bought online courses, downloaded apps, picked up self-study books and even hired a private tutor. Here&#8217;s what we found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Group_Language_Classes_at_Language_Institutes\"><\/span>1) Group Language Classes at Language Institutes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing we tried was <strong>a course at a <a href=\"https:\/\/praga.cervantes.es\/cz\/default.shtm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">language institute<\/a><\/strong>. We assumed that classes with a native speaker would be the gold standard \u2014 everyone seemed to rave about them, and our friends had nothing but good things to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The groups were fairly small \u2014 usually no more than 10 people \u2014 <strong>but even so, we ended up disappointed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Course_Wasnt_Effective\"><\/span>The Course Wasn&#8217;t Effective<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We quickly realised that this kind of <strong>group learning is ineffective if you don&#8217;t have solid foundations and aren&#8217;t exposed to the language every single day.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Classes were in the evening, so <strong>everyone \u2014 including the teachers \u2014 arrived exhausted.<\/strong> Sessions sometimes dragged on unbearably (we were there from 6 pm to 9 pm).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There was no personal attention, and we&#8217;d often either fall behind during exercises or sit there bored stiff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Native-Speaker-Only_Teaching_Didnt_Work_for_Us\"><\/span><strong>Native-Speaker-Only Teaching Didn&#8217;t Work for Us<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our native-speaker teacher explained everything in Spanish, which is brilliant if you&#8217;re already at an intermediate level \u2014 <strong>but for us, it just created confusion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even after completing a several-week course, we still didn&#8217;t understand the basic structure of the language. <strong>We could just about hold a simple conversation, but our grammar was a complete mess.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And as the research shows, <strong>effective language learning should happen daily \u2014 ideally 10 to 30 minutes \u2014 which group courses simply don&#8217;t deliver.<\/strong> It obviously doesn&#8217;t make sense to pop into a class for just a few minutes every day either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Get_the_Most_Out_of_a_Course\"><\/span>How to Get the Most Out of a Course<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For classes to actually stick, <strong>you need to be studying at home as well.<\/strong> We tried pairing them with <a href=\"https:\/\/cs.duolingo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Duolingo<\/a> (more on that below) and Quizlet flashcards \u2014 but even with the best intentions, we were only reaching Spanish outside of class about three times a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We ended up <strong>more stressed than enthusiastic<\/strong> about the whole thing. The more material we covered, the more lost we felt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cost:<\/strong> 30 hours of Spanish classes cost us around 190 \u20ac per person. If you&#8217;re looking to learn English in the UK, in-person courses at reputable schools typically run from \u00a3150\u2013\u00a3300 for a similar number of hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros_of_Language_Institute_Courses\"><\/span>Pros of Language Institute Courses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Native speaker teachers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Professional approach<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strong focus on conversation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Good for more advanced students<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cons_of_Language_Institute_Courses\"><\/span>Cons of Language Institute Courses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No individual attention<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Intensive but not particularly effective<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fairly expensive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Requires a lot of preparation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evening hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can be stressful<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Only 1\u20132 times per week<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Are_Group_Courses_Best_For\"><\/span>Who Are Group Courses Best For?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you already have a solid base and just <strong>need to sharpen your conversation skills and get more fluent<\/strong>, a language institute course could be a great fit. But if you&#8217;re shy or easily intimidated in group settings (like me), don&#8217;t waste your money. We&#8217;d also strongly advise beginners against jumping straight into a native-speaker-only course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Private_Language_Lessons_for_Beginners\"><\/span>2) Private Language Lessons for Beginners<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After the institute experience, we decided to try one-to-one tutoring. We found a tutor who was bilingual, had studied in both the UK and Spain, and could explain the structure of Spanish in a way that finally made sense. <strong>What took us several weeks at the institute, we picked up with her in a fraction of the time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lessons were expensive though, and the longer we had them, the less effective they became. The problem was the same as before \u2014 we weren&#8217;t practising daily, and we were even less motivated to do so independently, because our tutor was always happy to go over things again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of that, as we got more comfortable with her, she started slipping into English more and more instead of actually teaching us Spanish. She&#8217;d spend whole sessions chatting about her life in English rather than pushing us to use the language. After a few months, we called it quits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros_of_Private_Tutoring\"><\/span>Pros of Private Tutoring<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Personalised approach<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suitable for complete beginners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Covers both conversation and grammar<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tailored to your needs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cons_of_Private_Tutoring\"><\/span>Cons of Private Tutoring<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fairly expensive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Requires preparation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Intensive but not always efficient<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Best_Apps_for_Learning_a_Language\"><\/span>3) Best Apps for Learning a Language<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Plenty of language learning apps promise to make you fluent all on their own \u2014 but let&#8217;s be honest. <strong>No free app like Duolingo alone will get you to fluency.<\/strong> That said, I&#8217;m not here to write them off entirely. <strong>They&#8217;re brilliant for practice and reinforcement.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>You can of course also explore podcasts, films, TV shows and books in your target language. There are so many <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myenglishhacks.cz\/jak-se-naucit-anglicky\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>modern and fun ways<\/strong><\/a> to immerse yourself in a language these days.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So if you&#8217;re doing a course, working with a tutor or studying from a textbook, definitely download a language learning app to complement it. Staying in daily contact with your target language matters \u2014 even if, like us, you only keep up the streak for a few months. So which language learning apps are worth it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Duolingo\"><\/span>Duolingo<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Probably the most well-known and <strong>one of the best language learning apps out there.<\/strong> It offers courses in 30 languages and is free up to a point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The paid version ($9.99\/month) removes ads and lets you download lessons for offline use,<\/strong> plus unlocks a range of extra materials. It&#8217;s very beginner-friendly and doesn&#8217;t require any prior knowledge of another language to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"527\" src=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/duolingo-aplikace-1024x527-1.png\" alt=\"Duolingo language learning app\" class=\"wp-image-56185\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Duolingo \u2014 one of the most popular language learning apps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mondly\"><\/span>Mondly<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong><a class=\"thirstylink\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Mondly\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/doporucujeme\/mondly\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\">Mondly<\/a><\/strong> app is free up to a certain level and focuses on practising real-life communication situations \u2014 restaurants, shopping, and so on. What put us off was that it still has some rough edges, and when we were learning Spanish we spotted a fair few translation errors. <em>That said, they do occasionally offer significant discounts on bundles covering all 33 languages at once.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Memrise\"><\/span>Memrise<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This app goes beyond language courses and covers other subjects too. We&#8217;d recommend it primarily for building vocabulary. It&#8217;s genuinely addictive, and you&#8217;ll even find specialist content like IELTS vocabulary courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What we love about <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.memrise.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Memrise<\/a><\/strong> is that it <strong>applies scientific principles of memory retention to the learning process. The downside is that it can take ages to find a solid, well-structured course.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The app also has a review function to help you revisit vocabulary you&#8217;ve already learned. Each day you pick up 5 new words in around 5 minutes \u2014 that&#8217;s 150 new words in a month. There&#8217;s a free tier, but the PRO version is well worth the $2.50\/month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros_of_Language_Learning_Apps\"><\/span>Pros of Language Learning Apps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mobile app (usually with a desktop version too)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Free up to a point<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fun and easy to use<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Great for expanding vocabulary<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Effective for daily practice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suitable for everyone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cons\"><\/span>Cons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fragmented learning \u2014 not a complete language course on their own<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not enough on their own \u2014 need to be combined with a course or other study<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Usually require an internet connection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Are_Language_Apps_Best_For\"><\/span>Who Are Language Apps Best For?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyone who&#8217;s already following a structured course and wants to reinforce their vocabulary and grammar on the go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_What_Worked_Best_for_Us_Online_Language_Courses\"><\/span>4) What Worked Best for Us: Online Language Courses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ll be honest \u2014 I was sceptical about online language courses at first. But two months in, I&#8217;m a complete convert and recommend them to everyone I meet. I just wish we&#8217;d tried them sooner. Why? <strong>The best online courses combine everything that&#8217;s good about self-study books, traditional classes and apps \u2014 all in one place.<\/strong> We&#8217;ve also written a <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/onlinejazyky-recenze\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"detailed review (opens in a new tab)\">detailed review<\/a> of <a class=\"thirstylink\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Online jazyky\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/doporucujeme\/online-jazyky\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\">Onlinejazyky.cz<\/a> if you want the full breakdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/onlinejazyky-webove-prostredi-1024x575-1.jpg\" alt=\"Onlinejazyky.cz online language course platform\" class=\"wp-image-56187\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a class=\"thirstylink\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Online jazyky\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/doporucujeme\/online-jazyky\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\">Onlinejazyky.cz<\/a> \u2014 the online language learning platform we use<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/onlinejazyky\/\">Try Onlinejazyky.cz for free<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can try <strong><a class=\"thirstylink\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Online jazyky\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/doporucujeme\/online-jazyky\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\">Onlinejazyky.cz<\/a><\/strong> for free before committing. <strong>The learning is systematic, enjoyable and built on real memory science.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s no extra prep required \u2014 no writing out vocabulary lists or travelling anywhere. Just sit down for 20 minutes a day at your computer (or on the mobile app) and work through the course. There&#8217;s a dedicated vocabulary review section, and you can track your progress easily. <strong>With the iOS and Android app, you can genuinely learn anywhere.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>I also love the money-back guarantee \u2014 if you&#8217;re not happy with the course, you get a refund.<\/strong> Quality isn&#8217;t a concern though: the methodology and course content are built in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and the international corpora of the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford. <strong>There&#8217;s also a placement test at the start, which most apps don&#8217;t offer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Courses_Does_Onlinejazykycz_Offer\"><\/span>What Courses Does Onlinejazyky.cz Offer?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything from complete beginner to advanced. You can learn English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Russian. There are specialist English courses for travellers, designers and healthcare professionals, as well as courses for children and students preparing for exams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"570\" src=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/online-jazyky-ukazkova-lekce-zdarma-1024x570-1.png\" alt=\"Onlinejazyky.cz free demo lessons\" class=\"wp-image-56188\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a class=\"thirstylink\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Online jazyky\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/doporucujeme\/online-jazyky\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\">Onlinejazyky.cz<\/a> offers free demo lessons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cost:<\/strong> Courses start from around 36 \u20ac, with the average course coming in at around 100 \u20ac. Spread over a month of daily learning, that&#8217;s less than the cost of a single private lesson or one session at a language school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros_of_Online_Language_Courses\"><\/span>Pros of Online Language Courses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Self-paced, individual study<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Great value for money<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fun and engaging<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Effective \u2014 just 20 minutes a day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Progress tracking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Placement test included<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Automatic spaced repetition built in<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Option to add a conversation club<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cons-2\"><\/span>Cons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Requires an internet connection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conversation club only available for English learners<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Are_Online_Courses_Best_For\"><\/span>Who Are Online Courses Best For?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyone with an internet connection, really. What we love most is being able to study while travelling without lugging textbooks around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Self-Study_Language_Textbooks_%E2%80%94_Which_Is_Best\"><\/span>5) Self-Study Language Textbooks \u2014 Which Is Best?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Reading back through everything I&#8217;ve tried, I honestly think I should be fluent in at least five languages by now. \ud83d\ude04<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For self-study textbooks, I personally got on best with those published by <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leda.cz\/\" target=\"_blank\">LEDA<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 I tried their French, German and Polish editions. They&#8217;re brilliantly structured, come with audio lessons on CD and include a separate exercise workbook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Honestly, I found self-study textbooks more enjoyable than group classes. <strong>I like learning at my own pace and hate feeling put on <a class=\"thirstylink\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"The Spot\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/doporucujeme\/the-spot-2\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\">the spot<\/a>.<\/strong> That said, they&#8217;re nowhere near as effective as a good online course \u2014 they require far more self-discipline and motivation to keep going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most LEDA titles are readily available on Amazon or other online book retailers at reasonable prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cost:<\/strong> From around 8 \u20ac<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros_of_Self-Study_Textbooks\"><\/span>Pros of Self-Study Textbooks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Excellent value for money<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Comprehensive language coverage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Low-pressure learning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Good for beginners<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cons-3\"><\/span>Cons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Requires a lot of self-motivation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not exactly thrilling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lots of manual effort (writing out vocab, checking exercises yourself)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not personalised to you<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not ideal for travel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Audio is on CD \u2014 not exactly convenient in 2024<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conversation_Practice_%E2%80%94_How_to_Start_Speaking_via_Video_Call\"><\/span>Conversation Practice \u2014 How to Start Speaking via Video Call<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The best way to get speaking is to go abroad and leave yourself no choice but to use the language. That&#8217;s exactly how I finally started speaking \u2014 during our time in Canada. <strong>You quickly realise that not everyone speaks your language perfectly either, and making mistakes is completely normal.<\/strong> Mistakes are how we learn, after all. If travelling isn&#8217;t an option right now, there are still good alternatives. <strong>You could join a conversation class, hire a native-speaker tutor, or try the app <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofdoing.blog\/odkaz\/italki\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">italki<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On italki, you can book sessions with professional language teachers, or use the community section to find a language exchange partner \u2014 someone you practise with over video call. Alternatively, sign up for an online conversation club. If the idea of looking silly in front of a professional makes you nervous, I&#8217;d suggest starting by <strong>practising conversation for free with other learners first.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts\"><\/span>Final Thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;ve made it this far, you&#8217;ll have gathered that online courses come out on top for us. So before you spend money on anything else, <strong>give <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/onlinejazyky\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"a free trial a go (opens in a new tab)\">a free trial a go<\/a>.<\/strong> Maybe they won&#8217;t be right for you \u2014 everyone&#8217;s different \u2014 but you&#8217;ve got nothing to lose by trying. <strong>Go on, give it a shot!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Break_Through_Your_Mental_Block\"><\/span>Break Through Your Mental Block<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>My second piece of advice: speak.<\/strong> Yes, that&#8217;s coming from someone who a few years ago was terrified to open her mouth, couldn&#8217;t bear to make phone calls and felt physically sick at the thought of speaking in a foreign language. These days I can deliver an 8-hour presentation without a second thought. The only thing that changed was pushing through that block once, twice, three times \u2014 each time it got a little easier, until one day I realised it didn&#8217;t bother me at all. In fact, I now actually prefer presenting in English to doing it in Czech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Third_Tip_Language_Learning_Should_Never_Feel_Like_Torture\"><\/span>Third Tip: Language Learning Should Never Feel Like Torture<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>My mum spent years trying to learn English. Even after attending evening classes for several years, <strong>she was afraid to speak.<\/strong> I never heard her string more than a single sentence together. <strong>Then one Christmas, when our friends from Canada came to visit, she completely blew me away.<\/strong> The classes had been stressing her out, and she&#8217;d carried that anxiety into the language itself. Everything changed when she started learning with a friend she felt comfortable around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Within a few months she&#8217;d progressed so much that the moment we opened the door, she launched straight into conversation \u2014 joking around and chatting with our friends the entire time they were there.<\/strong> My brother and I just stood there with our mouths open. Learn in whatever way suits you. Language learning should never stress you out. And don&#8217;t be afraid to try \u2014 most people genuinely appreciate the effort, even if you&#8217;re not perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good luck \u2014 and I&#8217;m off to practise my Spanish. If you&#8217;ve got any extra tips or tricks, drop them in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_You_Learn_a_Language_in_4_Weeks\"><\/span>Can You Learn a Language in 4 Weeks?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s absolutely possible to make solid progress in a foreign language in four weeks \u2014 but you need to study every single day. In that time, you should be able to hold your own in a restaurant, at an airport, in a shop or at a hotel. Don&#8217;t expect to sound like a native speaker overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So how do you do it? My personal recommendation is to <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/onlinejazyky\/\">try Onlinejazyky.cz<\/a>. Luk\u00e1\u0161 learned enough Spanish with them that we barely needed English during our time in Mexico. The key is at least 20 minutes every day \u2014 and if you&#8217;re really serious about it, two sessions of 20 minutes with a proper break in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alongside the course, start listening to music in your target language and try to focus on the words. I&#8217;d actually recommend this over watching films with subtitles \u2014 most people end up just reading the subtitles and tuning out the audio entirely. That said, if there&#8217;s a TV series you know practically word for word in English, it&#8217;s worth rewatching it in your target language.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for the best ways to speed up your language learning? We&#8217;ve tried courses, apps, private tutors and textbooks \u2014 here&#8217;s what actually works.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":56189,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","rank_math_title":"How to Learn a Foreign Language Fast","rank_math_description":"Discover the most effective language learning methods \u2014 apps, online courses, private tutors and more. Find what works for you and start today!","rank_math_focus_keyword":"language learning","rank_math_seo_score":""},"categories":[682],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-210245","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-self-development"},"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/jak-se-naucit-cizi-jazyk.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Lucie Kone\u010dn\u00e1","author_link":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/author\/lucie-konecna\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210245","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=210245"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210245\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":219663,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210245\/revisions\/219663"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=210245"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=210245"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=210245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}