By: Carolina Sánchez-Hervás
During COVID times, some of us may have more time on our hands than usual. Quarantine measures have relegated many of us to staying home, leading to cabin fever in many cases. It’s no secret that this pandemic is affecting people on so many different levels–physically, emotionally and financially. So, what can we do to make our days worthwhile, while also taking our mind off of the negativity around us? Learn, or practice, a language! Below are some of my suggestions for learning or practicing a language.
Download a Language Learning App
There are plenty of free apps out there for learning languages. My favorite is Duolingo (not an ad), and I use it myself for brushing up on my languages or just learning a new one. It’s fun and and completely free. It uses gamification to keep users engaged. You can upgrade to the premium version to remove ads and get some extra features, but the free version works just as well. They have over 35 languages you can choose from, even High Valyrian for all you Game of Thrones buffs! Other popular language learning apps include Memrise, Busuu and Babbel.
Watch Content in a Foreign Language
One of my favorite ways to practice a language is by watching foreign language shows or movies on Netflix. These days, streaming services have opened up a world of possibilities for watching foreign TV. An actor in Spain or Poland can now gain international fame through these streaming services, which was not possible before.
Most of the popular streaming services have foreign language content, like Amazon Prime, HBO Max and Hulu. I like to watch the show in the original language. If it is a language I speak, I may watch it with subtitles in the original language to further practice reading in the language. If it is a language I don’t speak, I will turn on the English subtitles. I prefer watching it in the original language always because I feel the emotions and expressions are better conveyed in the original language, even if I have no idea what they’re saying. And as an added bonus, I can learn some words in a new language!
Read a Book in Another Language
As a translator, I am constantly looking for ways to stay up to date with my languages. I speak 5 in total (currently learning a 6th on Duolingo), so I try to rotate the books I read so I read one in each language. Even if you’re just starting a new language and you feel like reading a novel in a foreign language would be a daunting task, you can always start with children’s books or just simple articles online and work your way up! It’s not a competition, so go at your own pace.
Some languages are more difficult than others to find books in, but you’d be surprised at what you can find. I like to support local, so I try to check local bookstores to see if they have foreign language books. If they don’t have the one you’re looking for, you can always ask if they can order it. Many times they’ll be able to at no cost to you.
My favorite locally-owned bookstore is Books & Books. They have 9 locations around South Florida and the Caribbean and they ship too.
Rizzoli is also a great bookstore and they have a good selection of Spanish, French and Italian books.
Have a Conversation in a Foreign Language
Just because we’re quarantined at home doesn’t mean we can’t interact with others. Okay, so maybe we can’t always meet in person like before, but we can still talk on the phone and via FaceTime/Skype. If you have any family or friends that speak another language, call them to catch up. At the same time, you can practice your language with them.
When I was learning Italian, I took every opportunity I had to speak to family and friends on the phone who spoke the language, and I felt it tremendously improved my skills. I was so passionate about learning it that I would even approach strangers and introduce myself if I heard them speaking Italian. I know the last one is a bit bold (and not for everyone), but if you want to learn a language, you have to put yourself out there. You can’t be afraid to make mistakes, because when you learn a language, you WILL make mistakes. So try not to be a perfectionist and just speak. The more you practice, the more you will understand language and grammar rules naturally. Chatting with friends and family is a low pressure situation where you can freely practice before going out into the real world and dazzling others with your skills.
Listen to Foreign Music or Podcasts
There are tons of free podcasts you can listen to in another language. The topics vary from fashion to finance and everything in between. You can choose something you’re interested in. Before a big interpretation, I like to listen to podcasts and music in that language the days leading up to the job. And the day of the job, I usually listen to podcasts on the way there just to wake my brain up and start thinking in that language. Spotify also has lots of foreign music you can listen to for free. Just choose your favorite genre and start listening. You can listen while you work or exercise. Music is an excellent tool to learning languages.
Well there you have it. Those are a few ways to learn or practice a language and I hope they encourage some of you to go out there and do it. Learning a second–or third, or fourth–language is empowering. Language connects people and allows us to understand and appreciate other cultures. It can also greatly improve your chances of being hired for a job and make you a more attractive candidate as a whole. In today’s globalized world, speaking another language is key. And as extra motivation, once travel restrictions are finally lifted, you can finally take your dream trip and practice your skills in a real life setting. Cheers to that!