Learning a new language sounds exciting at first, doesn’t it? But let’s be honest — most of us start strong and then we stop without even noticing. Life gets busy, routines fall apart, and motivation slips away somewhere between daily obligations and endless scrolling on social media.
Why do we stop, even when we know it’s worth it?
Most people stop learning because they expect fast results. When it doesn’t happen right away, they feel frustrated. Others try to follow rigid routines that don’t match their lifestyle, or they overdo it at the start and burn out quickly.
Honestly, if you want to start a habit that actually sticks, focus on making it small, specific, and sustainable. It’s not about being perfect — it’s about keeping at it, staying consistent, being patient, and celebrating the small wins along the way.
Your main goal should be progress, not pressure. And if you’re looking for a way to stay on track with your language learning, try starting with a SMART approach:
– Simple – Start with something small and easy
– Motivating – Pick something that actually excites you
– Adaptable – Life changes, so your habit should be flexible too
– Realistic – Be honest about what fits into your day
– Trackable – Keep track of your effort so you can see your growth
It’s not about following a strict recipe, but about having a simple guide to help you take that first step.
If you want to stay consistent, keep things light and doable. Focus on one small action at a time. Here’s a mix of practical tips — just choose the ones that fit your lifestyle and energy:
Exercise 1: Copy a Short Text by Hand
Choose a simple text in your target language and write it out by hand. This helps you focus, improves your spelling, and gets your brain to process the language more deeply.
You can find great texts here.
Exercise 2: Read a Chapter a Day
Make it a habit to read one chapter of a book each day in your target language. It can be part of your morning routine or something relaxing before bed. You choose what works best for you.
Exercise 3: Listen While You Move
Find a podcast, audiobook, or YouTube channel in your target language like “Coffee Break” or “Easy Languages“. Listen while you walk, drive, or even while doing chores. It’s an easy way to learn without even noticing.
Exercise 4: Verb of the Day
Choose a common verb (you can find a list of 400 here) and write one sentence using each pronoun (I, you, he/she….) Challenge yourself by using different tenses. It’s a great brain warm-up, especially during boring or repetitive tasks.
Exercise 5: Cultural Immersion
If you’re planning to go abroad this summer, whether you’re working in a hotel or restaurant, volunteering, or minding kids as an au pair, you’re already taking the first step into the real-life language classroom.
It’s not always easy, but the real growth happens through the challenge. Living in a new country pushes you to use the language every day. Even simple things like ordering lunch or asking for directions become learning moments.
You’ll meet people from all over the world, discover new ways of thinking, and little by little, you’ll see your confidence grow.
Moving abroad is a big decision, but you’re not doing it alone. At Roast Jobs, we’re here to support you every step of the way, from job placement and paperwork to helping you navigate language and cultural differences.
So pack your bags and let your summer abroad become the adventure that transforms not just your language skills, but your personal growth.
Discover more at roastjobs.com and start your journey abroad today.
You might want to read as well 7 Tips to Prepare Your English Before Departure, The best to learn a language from a book, 4 Ways to Work & Travel Abroad with Roast Jobs, Our summer job and much more.
working and traveling Ireland
