Learning a new language can be a fulfilling and rewarding hobby. Languages can open up new worlds of culture, literature, and communication. They can also boost your cognitive skills, memory, and creativity. To get started, you can choose a language that interests you and find online courses, apps, books, podcasts, or videos that suit your level and goals. You can also practice with native speakers or other learners through online platforms or local groups. Learning a language is a hobby that will enrich your life and broaden your horizons.
Languages
as a hobby
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To have another language is to possess a second soul.
Charlemagne
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We curated content to familiarize you with languages as a hobby and to inspire and help you get started.
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Research indicates that bilingual speakers can outperform monolinguals–people who speak only one language–in certain mental abilities.
Juggling Two Languages in One Mind, by Judith Kroll
Basic lingo for orientation.
- Polyglots are people who speak many languages
- Superlinguists are people who study how they do it and why.
Term Videos
How to break the ice and make a start. One Aha! moment is all you need.
A language podcast for your language of choice is a great way to start getting familiar with it, with minimum effort and expense.
Once you are ready, there are many great language-learning apps, such as Duolingo and Rosetta Stone. Some of them offer great features for free, and some incorporate AI into the learning process.
But learning a language is of no use if you don’t use it. Try language exchange apps such as HelloTalk or Tandem to talk with real people (and help them with their own language quest!)
Or just start exploring the world and chatting with it!
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Cognitive Benefits of Language Learning
- Beyond Alzheimer’s disease: Can bilingualism be a more generalized protective factor in neurodegeneration? – ScienceDirect
- Does being bilingual make you smarter? | British Council
- Juggling Two Languages in One Mind, Judith Kroll
- Lifelong bilingualism maintains white matter integrity in older adults – PubMed
- On the bilingual advantage in conflict processing: now you see it, now you don’t – PubMed
- The Cognitive Benefits of Language Learning | The British Academy
- Why I taught myself 20 languages — and what I learned about myself in the process | TED
Language Mindset Meaning System
- A CLOSER LOOK AT GRIT AND LANGUAGE MINDSET AS PREDICTORS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE ACHIEVEMENT | Studies in Second Language Acquisition | Cambridge Core
- Exploring the interplay of language mindsets, self-efficacy, engagement, and perceived proficiency in L2 learning | Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
- Full article: Mindsets in language learning and teaching: an introduction to the special issue
- Growth language mindset and willingness to communicate: Contributions of linguistic risk taking and learning experience – ScienceDirect
- GROWTH, FIXED, AND MIXED MINDSETS | Studies in Second Language Acquisition | Cambridge Core
- Language Mindsets, Meaning-Making, and Motivation | SpringerLink
- Measuring Language Mindsets and Modeling Their Relations With Goal Orientations and Emotional and Behavioral Responses in Failure Situations – Lou – 2017 – The Modern Language Journal – Wiley Online Library
Second Language Acquisition and Neuroplasticity
- Bilingualism delays age at onset of dementia, independent of education and immigration status | Neurology
- Does Bilingualism Influence Cognitive Aging? – PMC
- Frontiers | Bilingualism: A Global Public Health Strategy for Healthy Cognitive Aging
- Neuroplasticity as a function of second language learning: Anatomical changes in the human brain – ScienceDirect
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Learning languages can inspire you to learn more. Once you master one language, you may feel motivated to learn another one, or even several more. You can also discover new interests and passions through languages.
Get a clue.
Isn’t language learning an innate talent? Don’t you either have it or you don’t? What if I don’t have it?
You’re not alone in worrying about this. Fortunately, science contradicts this idea. Research has shown that our minds are remarkably adaptable. It’s likely not our minds that limit us when learning a new language (or anything else, for that matter), but our mindset.
The Language Mindset Meaning System describes two main mindsets:
- Growth Mindset: The belief that language learning ability can be developed.
- Fixed Mindset: The belief that language learning ability is unchangeable.
Unsurprisingly, research shows that people with a growth mindset are more successful language learners.
Which language should I learn first?
Choose a language you find interesting, useful, or beautiful. Consider factors like resources available, difficulty, and your learning style.
Do I need lessons or can I learn on my own?
You absolutely can learn languages on your own with enough dedication. Use apps, online courses, podcasts, audiobooks, texts and more.
How many languages can I learn at once?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on your personal preferences, goals, time availability, and learning strategies. Some people prefer to focus on one language at a time until they reach a certain level of proficiency before moving on to another one. Others like to learn multiple languages simultaneously or switch between them periodically.
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Additional advice for beginners.
- Immerse yourself. Listen to music and radio, watch TV shows and videos, and read books, magazines, and websites in your target language. Immersion is the best way to learn.
- Read aloud. Once you reach the appropriate reading level, consider reading aloud, as research has shown that it improves speaking skills.
- Focus on vocabulary building. A strong vocabulary foundation is essential. Learn new words regularly through flashcards, spaced repetition apps, and reading. The Memrise app is great for vocabulary building.
- Don’t be shy, and allow yourself to make mistakes. The best way to practice a language is by practicing it. You might get shy, self-aware, and strive to speak correctly. These feelings might make you keep your mouth shut. People won’t care if you don’t speak perfectly, and they will probably appreciate your effort to learn their language and be excited to help you.
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The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.
Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, by Ludwig Wittgenstein
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| Fields | Education, History and Culture, Language and Communication, Literature, Music, Personal Development |
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| Skills | Analytical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Communication, Cultural Awareness, Decision-making, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, Memory, Patience, Perseverance, Problem Solving, Resilience, Risk-taking |