We live in an online world where you can easily learn a language for free.
But, without the structure of formal classes, you may be wondering how to learn a new language by yourself for free. Especially when life is busy.
Here to tell us how, is guest author Andrew Howe!
In this post, you'll discover nine free ways to learn a language that you can fit into your life while having fun.
No matter how busy you are, there's always some spare time to do something…if you want it badly enough. And what's not to like about learning languages for free?
Learning a language for free doesn’t mean spending several hours a day hitting the books. In the digital era, there are many ways to study languages on the go.
Let's discover 9 of them together!
Pro Tip
Several of the strategies in this post are also what I teach in my courses, where you learn through StoryLearning®, a fun and effective method that gets you fluent thanks to stories, not rules. Find out more and claim your free 7-day trial of the course of your choice.
What Is The Best Free Language Learning Method?
How to learn a new language and especially how to learn a language for free are questions on many people's lips.
In the online age, YouTubers, bloggers and other influencers are sharing the best ways to learn a language. But is there really a best free way to learn a language?
While many people claim to have discovered some kind of “magic method”, there are many ways to learn a new language successfully.
While that can sound like a cop out, it's true. I've seen other polyglots, such as Luca Lampariello learn how to speak different languages for free with methods that I don't personally like, such as translation.
Along with fellow polyglot Steve Kaufmann, I prefer an input approach where you first read and listen to stories in your new language, and start speaking later. And that directly contradicts my friend Benny Lewis' “speak in a week” approach.
And yet, we're all considered successful language learners.
No matter what you consider the best way to learn a language, all of these methods, whether it's translation, input or speaking from the start, can be done for free.
Beyond the method aspect of how to learn a new language, the key to making free language learning work for you is having a clear reason for learning a new language and sticking to it consistently, despite moments of discouragement or plateauing.
With those fundamentals in mind, let's get into some specific strategies so you can discover how to learn a new language for free.
Best Way To Learn A Language For Free: 9 Different Ways
Although there are a variety of best ways to learn a language, there's one tool that you can't live without: your smartphone.
Your phone is not just about taking selfies, writing messages, and calling friends when you're bored.
Your phone is a “skills machine” that's the best free way to learn a language. Think of it a bit like a digital Swiss army knife.
Phones are about optimising your lifestyle, and you can use them to learn a language for free, without the need to be in a classroom.
So, if you're wondering how to learn a new language by yourself free, look no further than the square of metal in your pocket!
You just need to learn how to use your phone the right way.
To do so, we need to look at how we can approach language learning across the four skills…
- Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Reading
All the above-mentioned skills are equally important for language learners, and you can use your phone to master them without spending much time and money.
As most people own smartphones, you can take advantage of the explosion of free language learning apps to learn your target language on the go.
Gain knowledge, master skills, and start speaking a foreign language well…all from your phone!
1. Write A Lot In Your New Language
As a teacher, I know how to avoid most common writing mistakes in English…
But I have no idea how to improve my writing skills in other languages. The only one thing I've learned over the years is that you need to write.
A lot!
One of the best ways to do this is to write creative texts in your target language, which expands your vocabulary (with the help of a dictionary), and develops creative thinking.
You can also keep a journal in your new language where you write about your day.
The key to success is to develop a writing habit, and using your phone can help you a lot.
You can either download apps like Evernote or Notion or use Notes on your phone. The main idea is to grab your phone and write regularly.
Here are some tips on how to write more with your phone:
- Write email drafts. If you have a foreign client or a friend, write down some ideas to use in an email later. Having a rough draft can help you hone your writing skills without spending much time.
- Describe what you love. Are you fond of nature, art, or cooking? Try to describe what you've just tried. Don't be focused on the quality of your writing: write everything that comes to your mind.
- Edit and proofread with apps. Although you might know about Grammarly (a tool that highlights grammar mistakes), you can search for writing apps in your target language to help you write better. You can also use an online dictionary like Wordreference or a translation tool like DeepL to search for words and phrases.
The more you write, the better you get at writing. This is why writing in a new language is one of the best free ways to learn a language.
Writing is a process, and includes putting ideas on paper, formatting, editing, and proofreading, and you can practise this wherever you are.
2. Use Free Language Exchange Sites
If you want to start speaking a foreign language, you need to overcome the fear villain.
And one of the best ways to learn a language is to communicate with native speakers of your target language online.
First of all, people can be less inhibited online, so it might be easier for you to communicate. Moreover, you won't be afraid of getting marked down for spelling mistakes!
Plus, it's a good way to expand vocabulary as you'll be listening to native speakers, with their full range of expression!
Don't hesitate to ask for explanations if you have some doubts in understanding. That's a normal part of learning languages.
A great app for getting in touch with native speakers, and an easy way to learn a foreign language for free is with HelloTalk.
You could also try finding a conversation buddy with an app like Tandem. It's a casual way to talk with someone who can hold you accountable in your language learning process.
3. Learn A Language For Free By Listening
Another idea that works well for me is using songs to learn languages.
To be honest, I'm a music lover, and I sing a lot wherever I am. As I improve in my languages, I can make out what my favourite bands are singing about, which is a great feeling!
Listening to foreign musicians helps you pay attention to the words and enhance your listening comprehension skills.
Plus, there's a big variety of audiobooks and podcasts on the web, and you can download interesting titles with ease.
Obviously, you won't be able to stay focused all day long while listening to audiobooks, but if you have short sessions, it's more likely you can obtain additional knowledge and master listening skills.
4. Read As Much As You Can
Are you fond of reading? Reading, especially reading stories, is what StoryLearning® is all about. Reading at your level is the best way to learn a language as it exposes you to a wide range of grammar and vocabulary in context.
If reading is high on your list, try to learn a new language with books and articles.
Although reading classic literature in original might be a hard thing to do, especially if you're just starting out, there are many articles published daily on the web – a great approach to free language learning.
Sign up to newsletters of your favourite websites, and read their content when you have time.
You can use apps like Pocket to save interesting articles for later!
5. Learn A Language By Watching Movies
Although people are arguing whether watching movies is a good way to improve your language skills, everyone would agree that it is a great opportunity to have fun and take a break.
It's nearly impossible to catch everything when you're watching a foreign language movie for 2 hours, but you don't need to understand everything in order to benefit.
What's more, TV and movies can fit very neatly into your free time.
For example, why not watch your favourite TV series next time you're on the exercise bike at the gym? You can watch free foreign movies on YouTube or Netflix if a kind friend or family member lends you their login details.
As a result, you won't even need to track the time you spend on cardio… it's free language learning and painless exercise in one go!
Even if you can't understand the plot 100%, you can hear some familiar words and understand how to pronounce them correctly.
6. Take Free Online Language Courses
If being focused on one particular skill is not for you, explore the alternative ways of learning languages that cover all skills in one. I'm talking about MOOCs!
MOOCs (massive open online courses) are aimed at providing people with high-quality education from the world's best universities. There are dozens of free foreign language courses on these websites.
Check out the best providers for E-Learners:
Once you pick up the course you're interested in, complete it in your spare time. Of course, you can access the course from your phone, so you can study wherever you may be!
Hint
Take the time to introduce yourself to other learners – it can be a good way to make friends.
7. Download A Free Language Learning App
If the dozens of free language learning websites out there feel overwhelming, why not try an app?
If your goal is to learn as much vocabulary as possible, in a short amount of time, you can check out the freemium apps like Duolingo, Memrise or Busuu.
Can Duolingo make you fluent? The apps are very useful for quick learning on the go but keep in mind their teaching methods are limited.
While apps aren't necessarily the best way to learn a language for free, they will help you get started.
8. Learn How To Speak Different Languages For Free: Record Yourself
If you have an iPhone, you may have noticed that it comes with a built-in dictaphone. This is the perfect tool to practise speaking your new language for free, wherever and whenever you want.
You can practise speaking and recording short monologues. If you're a beginner, these could be about presenting yourself or your job or hobbies. At higher levels, you might like to give a short presentation on a topic of your choice or review a book or movie.
Next comes the hard part – listening to yourself. While this can sometimes be excruciating, even in your native language, this step is key to improving.
As you listen, notice where you paused or hesitated – did you lack a word or phrase to express yourself? Did you hesitate about which structure to use? This can give you ideas for areas to work on.
Another way to use in-built apps on your phone for free language learning is to use the speech-to-text converter. This is a great way to see if the phone understands your pronunciation. You can also try using voice search in your new language.
If you want to take this free language learning technique to the next level, then you can enlist the help of AI for feedback and even to chat.
9. Learn A Language For Free With AI
You can supercharge the previous strategy thanks to AI.
Let's say you use the text-to-speech function on your phone and your spoken monologue now exists in written format. You can copy and paste it over to ChatGPT and ask it to point out any errors, or suggest ways to make your output sound more idiomatic.
And instead of recording dialogues, you can interact with a chatbot. Simply explain that you're learning a language and practise whatever type of speech you need, whether that's a casual conversation or a job interview.
While one of the best ways to learn a language is to use it to do meaningful things, such as communicating with other people who speak it, chatbots give you a chance to practise as much as you want before talking people in real life.
They're quickly becoming the best free way to learn a language. You can also prompt a chatbot to generate a story or other type of text at your level in a language. Or ask it to help you find other free language learning resources.
Best Free Way To Learn A Language For Every Personality
As I've already mentioned, there isn't really a best way to learn a language, such as some kind of method to rule them all.
The best way to learn a language for free is to keep at it daily, over an extended period of time. And to do that, you'll need to find a way that works for you and plays to your strengths.
That's why I've summarised the language learning ideas from this post in a handy table, with different personality types in mind.
Of course, there's nothing to stop you mixing and matching these strategies. In fact, I encourage it. While you need to avoid the inconsistency villain, you need to vary what you do so you don't get bored.
And as I said at the top of the post, you need to work on the different skills – reading, writing, speaking, listening. You can do this by mixing and matching the different strategies.
So maybe you read some free articles online, write a summary and then discuss them with your language partner. Or you take a topic you covered in a free online course and practise it by recording yourself or talking to a chatbot for further practice.
Whichever way works best for you, here's a handy summary of these free language learning methods:
| Best way to learn a language for free… | Free language learning strategy | Free resources |
| …for creative types | Write a lot | Notes app on your phone or freemium note-taking app such as Notion, a free online dictionary such as Wordreference and a freemium translation tool like DeepL |
| …for those who love to chat | Free language exchange apps | Free versions of Tandem, Hello Talk to meet and chat to native speakers of your target language |
| …for music lovers or podcast fans | Listen to songs or other free audio | Free versions of Spotify, YouTube and podcast apps |
| …for bookworms or curious types | Read free content in your target language | Free blogs and newsletters in the target language on topics that interest you plus an app like Pocket to save articles to read for later |
| …for film fans | Watch movies and TV shows in the language | YouTube, streaming sites, old-fashioned DVDs from your local library, illegal downloads (at your own risk!) |
| …for people who like structure | Enrol in a free language MOOC | A free account with platforms such as Coursera, edX, Udemy to search for free courses in your language |
| …for people who want to gamify their learning | Download a free language learning app | Download a freemium app such as Duolingo, Memrise or Busuu. |
| …for the shy learner | Record yourself with the dictation app or speech-to-text function on your phone | iPhones come with a dictation app built in that you can use to record and analyse your speech. You can also use the speech-to-text to test your pronunciation. |
| …for the tech wizz | AI chatbots | Download a free AI chatbot and prompt it to have a discussion with you in your target language. |
Can You Become Fluent In A Language For Free?
As I said at the top of the post, the key to learning a new language is motivation and consistency because there is no magic method.
So, yes, you can become fluent in a language for free if you're motivated and willing to put in the work.
Paying for an app or a course or a teacher doesn't guarantee success either. It all comes back daily contact with the language, evaluating your progress and sticking with it over time.
Another key to succeeding with foreign languages is to put down your goals:
- What do I want to do?
- Why do I need to learn languages?
- What can I achieve with this knowledge?
- What is my daily minimum?
- How can I measure my success?
Once you define your goals, you'll have a better idea of where you're going and how you'll get there. So roll up your sleeves and get stuck in!
Pick some of the strategies from this list and try them out. Find what works for you and stick to it for a few weeks so you can see some progress.
If you plateau or get bored, come back to this post and pick another free language learning strategy. Be willing to rinse and repeat over the next few months at least.
Final Thoughts On How To Learn A Language For Free
As the digital era makes it easier than ever to learn a language for free, why not give it a try?
Getting started is often the hardest part… but it's much easier when you find things that work for you.
With that in mind, here's a quick recap of the best ways to learn a language for free that you discovered in this post:
- Write in your new language using a note-taking app
- Use free language exchange sites like Tandem
- Listen to songs, podcasts and audiobooks for free
- Read free online articles and newsletters in your new language
- Watch movies and TV shows for free on sites like YouTube
- Take free online language courses on Coursera and similar sites
- Download free language learning apps like Memrise
- Record yourself or use the text-to-speech function on your phone
- Use AI chatbots to chat in your new language and get feedback
If you have a passion for learning foreign languages, you will make efforts to train your skills, no matter how busy you are.
While there's no best way to learn a new language for free, a combination of the methods in this post will help you learn faster.
This article has been updated since it was first published but is based on an original guest post written by Andrew Howe. You can contact Andrew via email: andrewhowe306 [at] gmail.com
