With this article, I’m starting (hopefully a series!) of articles describing how to learn languages effectively, creatively in a fun and engaging way.
This would be especially useful for you if you are exchange student, expat, traveler or just willing to learn new language quickly. Also, the general learning concept which I describe in the second part of the article, will help you speed up learning process of anything, not just foreign languages.
Now, let’s get straight to the point.
I’d like to share with you how I immersed myself in the Spanish language (and culture) by visiting a nearby supermarket almost daily, particularly the meat and cheese section! 😉 To create opportunities to speak Spanish, I started going to the nearby supermarket frequently. Instead of just pointing at what I wanted or relying on a translator, I set myself small, practical language learning goals. For example, my initial learning goal was to ask about the price in Spanish or to specify the amount of cheese I wanted—all in Spanish. This might sound trivial, but trust me, not all Spanish numbers are that easy!
I also made an effort to have friendly interactions with the shop assistants to practice essential phrases such as „hello,” „thank you,” and „have a good day.” That was just the beginning. Of course, at that time, whenever a lady at the counter asked me something or tried to have a more sophisticated conversation, I would just stupidly smile (or make a weird face), expressing quite clearly that I didn’t understand. Well, yep, the beginning are like this, and it’s normal.
With time, we managed to build a better relationship and even have (slightly) more complex conversations. Instead of simply asking for 200 grams of jamón in Spanish, I started asking for recommendations, learning new words along the way—often with the help of the shop assistant.
Since I was doing this quite often (every day or every other day), many of the words and expressions started coming naturally to me over time. This is a great example of immersive language learning, where real-life practice helps reinforce vocabulary. Immersive learning is something which I would probably explain a bit deeper in one of my next articles. Right now I would like to focus on something else.
I’d like to introduce the concept of spaced repetition, which highlights why it’s crucial to practice things on a (very) regular basis to improve language skills quickly.
Spaced repetition is a learning technique where the time between reviews of previously learned content gradually increases. It’s one of the best language learning methods, commonly used in foreign language acquisition but applicable to learning in general. This method helps prevent forgetting and reinforces memory retention.
It’s normal to forget new information over time, especially if you don’t use it. When information is new, it can be forgotten quickly. However, regular exposure and practice help retain it longer. The key to how to learn a language effectively lies in consistent review and active engagement with the material. The more you recall information, the longer you can retain it.
This process continues until the information is firmly stored in your long-term memory.
Let’s explore even more science behind it. Spaced repetition works because it aligns with how our brains function. Studies show that the brain isn’t very effective at retaining a lot of information in a short period (for example, cramming the night before an exam). If you’ve ever done this, you’ll probably admit that a week later, you didn’t remember much – right?
In contrast, spaced repetition offers a more effective and practical language learning technique to achieve long-term knowledge retention. The reason is simple – our brains are better at storing information that we encounter regularly.
The more frequently you review and practice, the less likely you are to forget what you’ve learned.
All of this is to emphasize the importance of daily practice when starting your language learning journey. Whether you’re aiming to learn languages creatively, preparing to study abroad, simply looking for practical language learning tips, (or doing sports!) consistency is key.
