Planning your language learning goals

Why do you want to learn a new language? 

Do you want to make travel easier? 

Is it required for school? 

Is it just because you can? 

Your goal for learning a new language determines the steps you need to take. If you’re learning just for fun, you don’t have to enroll in the local college classes. On the other hand if you need it for work, those college classes can prove to be a valuable resource. 

So let’s think about what you want from this new skill and how to get there. Don’t worry you can always change your mind! 

Something fun

This goal is for people who like to learn new skills but don’t need to for any external reason. 

You want to be able to order from the fancy French restaurant or impress the Swiss nanny next door? This goal is for you.

The standards here are what you set, no required milestones or vocabulary to learn beyond what you want. 

The openness of this goal can unsettle some people who like structure so feel free to add your own in as needed. 

Duolingo is a good tool for this goal but remember it’s a tool (I’ve talked about that perspective here!) 

Travel level

This goal is for those world travelers who want to be more than the stereotypical American abroad who only speaks English. 

Even having a few survival phrases in many languages can be beneficial. 

Cultural and vocabulary knowledge are more important to this language goal than grammar or accurate accent. 

Language learning apps (unless they have this specific goal option) aren’t the best for this as they will teach you extra knowledge before your needed knowledge. 

Often, guide books for your intended country will have a quick phrase guide at the back of the book. Not all will have the pronunciation (or an easy to read pronunciation) so putting those words into Google Translate and practicing before you leave will help!

Practicing your phrases before you leave shows natives that you respect their language and are willing to learn, which goes a long way. Not everyone will appreciate your practice but more will than won’t.  

Required for school

Whether you’re homeschooled or attend private or public school, there is a foreign language requirement. 

US school districts only have one year of foreign language education as a requirement and most don’t offer one until high school, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start your child earlier! I’ve talked about both the problem with the US standards (here) and ways to start at home (here)! 

This goal does require a curriculum or teacher to guide you through the standards and requirements. 

Starting your child earlier does give them more benefits of the language than in high school but they will rely on you to know more then too. You do have the upside of learning together and using it as a bonding experience though! 

If you’re interested in starting with your preschooler or kindergartener, check out the program I wrote to get you started together.

Required for job

Not every job will require knowing a second language but knowing one will open more job opportunities. 

My husband was able to get his first electricians job here in the States because the owner was also from Switzerland! 

I’ve been able to connect with swim students more because I was able to speak German and other teachers because they speak Spanish. 

While my husband was lucky enough to be bilingual from birth, many people learn another language for a specific job. 

Native Fluency

This goal is the hardest to achieve. 

The work required to master the grammar, vocabulary, cultural aspects, and accents is more than many people expect. 

If you’ve grown up bilingual, you don’t have to think about the aspects nearly as much. 

My husband didn’t have to learn English language and grammar the same way I had to learn German because his parents spoke both languages. 

But he does struggle with some American cultural aspects, such as sport culture, because he didn’t grow up here. He’s learning through immersion (and me) though! 

To achieve this goal, I recommend teacher-led courses, travel, pen pals, and taking any chance to practice once you’ve gained some knowledge. 

Teacher led courses provide expert knowledge in a tested order with one on one support. A course will also provide reliable consistency in a designated environment and more resources than just the textbook. 

Let’s see how far?

The final goal sounds similar to the first (having fun). 

While they share many in common with no requirements and a why not attitude, this one could turn into native fluency over time. 

For example, I started German as a college requirement but took it again the next year and then  traveled abroad, created and earned a minor, and then became a certified teacher in it. 

My experience is proof your goal does not have to be set in stone. None of these goals mean you’re stuck on one path and have to learn your target language that one way. 

Today, there are any number of resources available to support any goal you choose from Duolingo type apps, to online curriculums (like mine!), tutors, college classes, youtube videos, and more. 

The only question that remains: Why do you want to learn a new language?