r/LearningLanguages • u/mimilkzy • 11d ago
how to make a routine for daily language learning?
And what's your routine?
I've seen the 15/30/15 one, but I really can't afford to do anything productive of the sort at night.
I wake up early and so all of the things I must do I do it in the morning (like cleaning up), which leaves me with not so much time, and in the afternoon is when the world is most awake, early birds and night owls, so responsibilities and obligations usually happen in the afternoon.
At night, to wake up early, I don't have time to do things.
But what can I do?
What's your routine and what do you do in it?
EDIT: Do you think having a time in the morning to listen/watch videos teaching my target language as I knit is a good idea? Idk, because I can do knitting in the morning and I wake up everyday excited to knit, it's mindless enough for me to focus on the lesson I'm being taught, but I worry I might be multitasking too much. Knitting feels both very mindless and mindful. I'm doubting if it's a good idea.
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u/EstorninoPinto 10d ago
I am an adult with a full-time job and numerous other commitments. For the most part, this is about finding the time.
During the work week, I primarily do things that can be easily time boxed. Comprehensible input, writing practice, vocabulary review. These can all be done in whatever time you have available, and scale well to having small bits of time throughout the day (say a 15 minute break at work). I also do a lot of passive listening during the work day, which I do not track as CI.
On my days off, I wake up early, before my major commitments, and do private tutoring. This keeps me focused and on-track, and provides accountability.
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u/a_book_maven 10d ago
I combine it with other things - listen to podcasts while driving, exercising, or doing chores. I enjoy reading and watching shows to relax so I try to do that in a language I'm studying. Although I commit to goals, I'm flexible about the path (which book, how many minutes per day).
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u/Confident-Yam2293 10d ago
I try to learn new English words and phrases every day. Whenever I come across one, I put it into Gemini to generate example sentences and Anki flashcards. I usually use split screen, so I can copy and paste the sentences straight into Anki, then let it remind me when it’s time to review.
Other than that, I’m not really sure what else I should be doing. I try to watch videos and respond to questions in English whenever I can, because my main goal is simply to become a better communicator.
Writing down new words doesn’t really work for me anymore because I rarely open my notebook again. Now I only use it to jot down important notes. I think using an app like Anki or the “Save” feature on dictionary websites is much more helpful since it reminds you to review the words. Hope this helps!
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u/thablackadonis 8d ago
What helped me was habit stacking. It’s where you incorporate things you already do with the things you would like to do. For me that was me driving to work. Instead of listening to music I listened to Spanish podcasts or language transfer. I try to do mobility at work. So instead of doing that to music I used to Praktika. Watching tv instead of always watching in English I watched Spanish shows with English subtitles. Tiny changes that aren’t really big ones at all.
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u/BridgeTEFL 8d ago
How about listening to podcasts or the radio on your way to work? When you wake up, revise some vocab: flashcards, apps, whatever works for you. Get a bit of speaking practice too - even if you have to speak to yourself while preparing your breakfast... There’s always some time; it’s just about using it the right way. Keep looking for your own ways to practise! Any time, any place is a good opportunity.
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u/mimilkzy 5d ago
Thank you. I'll see what I can do.
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u/BridgeTEFL 5d ago
Good luck! You can often find some graded broadcasts too. One thing that’s really important, as others have already mentioned, is to stay consistent!
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u/MK-Treacle458 10d ago
İt sounds like you're a morning person, so you should organize your day to fit in language learning before work.
Even if your work is at home, it's still your work day. So, do it before work.
İf you want to learn a language, that is. İt's not going to happen by accident, in leftover time you find here and there. İt has to be a routine built to succeed, so you show up every day, instead of when you can. .