How to Learn a New Language in 15 Days (and Retain It)
In this guide, I will walk you through each day of your 15-day learning process. Here, you will find tips, tricks, language exercises, and motivation to get you closer to your linguistic goals before your next trip.
by Sylvia Marie
18 de nov de 2024
For the past few years, I have been teaching English to people from around the globe, while traveling. This, along with my own experience with acquiring new languages has taught me a lot about how people learn and retain words in foreign languages.
In this guide, I will walk you through each day of your learning process. Here, you will find tips, tricks, language exercises, and motivation to get you closer to your linguistic goals before your next trip.
Although this process will be simple and won’t require too much of your time, it will require dedication and persistence for the whole duration. For the next 15 days, repetition is key!
P.S. This how-to article is not about mastering a language but rather about how to learn the base of any language with a method that will improve your retention rate significantly. If you are looking to master a language, I highly recommend learning with a native tutor on Preply for a longer period of time.
Alright, grab a pencil and paper and let’s begin!
The Method
To learn the new language, we will use the spaced repetition method. This age-old tried and true method is a proven way to learn and retain just about anything. You can read more about it in this article but in a nutshell, the key to spaced repetition is that you gradually increase the intervals between each time you study the chosen subject.
For the next 15 days, here is the pattern you will use:
0 hours – 6 hours – 2 days – 3 days – 4 days – 5 days
Here is an example starting on a Monday morning:
Mon morning (0 hours) – Mon afternoon (6 hours) – Wed afternoon (2 days later) – Sat afternoon (3 days later) – Wed (4 days later) – Mon (5 days later)
Don't worry too much about the pattern, I made the detailed plan for your next 15 days below. Read on, I got you!
Day 1
Search and write down two or three greetings and two or three common sentences a traveler would use abroad. Then, create a list of 25 words that you most often use in your own language. Write all the words and sentences on individual flashcards (or take a normal piece of paper and cut it into 8 equal rectangles), your native language on one side and the target language on the flipside.
Here are 16 common and handy words to include in your 25: Who, what, where, when, why, how, because, maybe, yes, no, please, thanks, left, right, forward, back. Now add 9 more words of your own. All the words and sentences you have written down today should be grouped together and we will call that group: group 1.
Day 1 task: after writing your words and sentences for group 1, remember to go through them all again in 6 hours. Read each flashcard front and back taking a short pause between each one.
Day 2
Today, let’s add another 25 words. Also, search for the target language’s pronouns and basic verbs in the simple present tense. Write them down on a new set of flashcards (your language on one side and the new language on the flipside).
Here are some common verbs to start with: to be, to have, to go, to want, to do, to eat, to talk, to walk, to recommend, to like.
And here are another 16 common and handy words to include in your 25: today, tomorrow, yesterday, one, two, three, good, bad, hot, cold, food, restaurant, big, small, day and night. Now find 9 more words. We will call today’s 25 words: group 2.
Day 2 task: after writing your 25 words along with the pronouns and verbs in your language, then in the target language, remember to go through them all again in 6 hours.
Day 3
With your new knowledge of the language’s most used pronouns and verbs, now you are able to create short basic sentences. Spend some time connecting the pronouns and verbs to the 50 words you wrote down in the previous days.
Example:
He walks fast.
Music is good.
Tip: You can write the sentences directly in a translator in the target language to see if they make sense when translated to your language. But at this stage, don’t worry too much about making perfect sentences, it is only the 3rd day of learning a completely new language, after all!
Day 3 task: create simple sentences with your new vocabulary + go through all your words and sentences from group 1: mixing them up and taking your time to recall their translation before looking.
Day 4
On day 4, search for a short and simple video or audio (1-3 minutes) in your target language. From this day forth, you will watch or listen to and understand something in the new language every day.
Day 4 task: go through all your words and sentences from group 2 and find a short and easy video/audio to watch/listen to.
Day 5
At this point, believe it or not, you have unlocked more than 50% of the target language! Keep up with the repetition intervals to really memorize this new vocabulary in the long-term memory part of your brain.
Day 5 task: watch / listen to something short and easy in the target language.
Day 6
Without the help of any translator app, try to translate the following dialogue one might have while abroad. You are already familiar with the words in bold as they are part of your two groups of words.
Tip: Depending on the language, some words may not be necessary when forming a sentence in another language. Here is an example when translating English to French:
English: Where (do) you live?
French: Où vis-tu? Literally translates to: Where live you?
Here are some words for you to translate and write down before reading: bus station, to see, how much, ticket, to cost, local, help, enjoy.
Dialogue 1
You: Hi! Where is the bus station?
Native Speaker: Walk two blocks, and you'll see the station on the left.
You: Thanks! How much does a bus ticket cost?
Native Speaker: A bus ticket costs two dollars.
You: Thanks! Where is a good place to eat?
Native Speaker: I recommend the restaurant on the corner; they have good local food.
You: Thanks for your help!
Native Speaker: No problem. Enjoy!
Day 6 task: translate dialogue + go over all words and sentences from group 1 + watch / listen to something short and easy in the target language.
Day 7
Congrats, you are at the halfway point in your language learning in 15 days mission. Take the time to see how much you have learned in such a short time and remember to be kind with yourself throughout this process.
Today, go out in the world and start a conversation similar to the dialogue you translated yesterday, with a friend or stranger in the language you are learning. If that is not possible, another option, which I know might sound crazy and will definitely feel weird, is to converse with yourself.
Day 7 task: converse with someone or yourself following yesterday’s dialogue + go over all words and sentences from group 2 + watch or listen to an easy video / audio in your new language.
Day 8
In your target language, write 10 simple sentences about your daily routine. After you have written them all down, check with a translator tool to see if they make sense. Correct them accordingly and revise them once more.
Day 8 task: write 10 sentences + watch or listen to a video / audio in your new language.
Day 9
Without the help of any translator app, try to translate the following dialogue one might have while at a restaurant. You are already familiar with the words in bold as they are part of your two groups of words.
Tip: Depending on the language, some words may not be necessary when forming a sentence in another language. Here is an example when translating English to Spanish:
English: What (do) you want to eat?
Spanish: Que quieres comer? Literally translates to: What you want to eat?
Here are some words for you to translate before reading: menu, water, choice, bread, table, to drink, you are welcome.
Dialogue 2
You: Hi! Can I have a menu?
Waiter: Yes, here.
You: Thank you. What do you recommend from the menu?
Waiter: I recommend the special of the day.
You: Good. I'll have the special of the day, please.
Waiter: Good choice. What do you want to drink?
You: Water, please.
Waiter: Sure.
You: Can I also have bread while I wait?
Waiter: Yes. I'll bring it to your table soon.
You: Thank you!
Waiter: You're welcome. Enjoy your food!
Day 9 task: translate dialogue + watch or listen to a video / audio in your new language.
Day 10
Day 10 task: go over all words and sentences from group 1 + watch or listen to a video / audio in your new language.
Day 11
Day 11 task: go over all words and sentences from group 2 + watch or listen to a video / audio in your new language.
Day 12
Translate this dialogue one might have while booking a place to stay.
Here are some words for you to translate before reading: how much, breakfast, room, what time, key, checkout.
Dialogue 3
You: Hi! I want a room, please. How much is it per night?
Receptionist: Sure. It's $30 per night, including breakfast.
You: Good. I'll take it.
Receptionist: Great. Here is the key to your room. Breakfast is from 8 to 10 a.m.
You: Thank you! What time is checkout?
Receptionist: Checkout is at 11 a.m.
You: Great, thank you!
Receptionist: No problem. Enjoy your stay!
Day 12 task: translate dialogue + watch or listen to a video / audio in your new language.
Day 13
Yet again, it’s time to vocalize your new vocabulary. If you are in a country where they speak your target language, get out there and start a conversation. If not, have a talk with yourself. Using the language out loud will really help you build confidence and train the muscles involved in your new pronunciation.
Day 13 task: converse with a person or yourself + watch or listen to a video / audio in your new language.
Day 14
Translate this dialogue one might have while making a new friend. Here are some words for you to translate before reading: experience, culture, show, places, center, kindness.
Dialogue 4
You: Hi! What’s your name?
New Friend: Hi! I'm Maria, and you are?
You: Nice to meet you, Maria. I’m ________.
New Friend: Where are you from?
You: I'm from ________. I came here to experience the culture.
New Friend: That's great! I can show you around if you want.
You: Yes, please! What places do you recommend?
New Friend: Let's start with the historic center.
You: Yes! When should we go?
New Friend: Tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.?
You: Perfect, see you then! Thanks for your kindness.
New Friend: You're welcome! See you tomorrow!
Day 14 task: translate dialogue + watch or listen to a video / audio in your new language.
Day 15
Congrats! This is the last day of your 15-day linguistic journey.
Day 15 task: go over all words and sentences from group 1 + watch or listen to a video / audio in your new language + admire how far you have come and keep at it to really lock in this new language for years to come.
Tip: If you want to keep learning, consider joining a language exchange group, exchanging a cup of coffee for some conversational lessons with a local if you are in the country of your target language, or taking online lessons on Preply. Click here to get 30% off your first lesson with a native tutor.
No matter how you do it, learning the local language is always a bonus while traveling. People appreciate it when they see that you are making the effort to connect with their culture and besides, how can you really immerse yourself in a culture without mingling with the locals?
Safe travels, bon voyage, buen viaje, bom viagem!