What’s the fastest way to become fluent? It’s a question every language teacher has heard, and the answer is always the same: practice. Practice as much and as often as you can.

The thing is, this doesn’t just mean taking classes as often as possible, or going to language exchanges. If you want to learn a language as fast as possible, then you’ve got to create language learning opportunities wherever and whenever you can. The more you can think, speak, and consume your second language, the faster you’ll learn.

Here are  6 ways you can create learning opportunities throughout your day to help you speed along your path towards fluency. 

#1 Map Your World

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. A great place to focus your efforts when you know there’s work to do but don’t know what it is, is to start mapping your world in your second language.

In your mother tongue, you know the names of nearly every object you see in a day. But in your second language there are blind spots and unacknowledged missing vocabulary all around you.

Don’t believe me? Look around your house. Can you translate the name of every object? When you walk around your neighborhood, can you identify everything around you in the language you’re learning?

Whenever you come across a word you don’t know, note it down, look it up and then make a point to say “this is…” or “that is…” whatever you see.

#2 See Every Interaction as an Opportunity to Practice.

I know, we aren’t interacting much nowadays, but hopefully soon we will be able to speak with one another in person without masks. When that day comes, know this, in a bilingual city like Montreal, language learning opportunities abound.

Every time you buy a coffee, ask for directions, or speak with a stranger is potentially a chance to practice. Even if the person you end up talking to speaks your language, try sticking to your target language.

This is a great way to get in some extra practice, and at the very least it will make ordering a coffee a little more interesting.

#3 Make a Point to Consume Media in Your Second Language

Now more than ever, we all consume large amounts of media every single day. Whether it’s watching the NEWS, scrolling social media feeds, reading a book, listening to music, or watching a movie—we are absorbing media constantly.

Any time you can exchange your regularly scheduled program for something in your second language, it will help you improve your second language. Remember, it doesn’t have to be huge. Maybe it’s a song, a 3-minute NEWS broadcast, or a small article from an online newspaper. However small it is, it’s a great way to infuse a little second language into your day, which means faster language learning.

#4 Try to Translate Your Thoughts and Opinions

We’ve all got thoughts and opinions rolling around in our heads all day long. Most of the time we hardly even notice them, but from a language learning perspective these are potential learning opportunities.

It could be as simple as thinking something about a driver who just cut you off. When you notice it, ask yourself if you can express the same idea in your second language.

This can go for worries, hopes, dreams, you name it. Anything that’s rolling around in your head can be used to learn a new piece of your second language. Write it down, translate it and practice it (though, maybe not always out loud).

#5 Get an App like Duo Lingo

If you haven’t tried a language learning app yet, it might be just what you need. I’ve done my share of Duo Lingo and collected oh so many lingots (try the app and you’ll know what I’m talking about). It’s an efficient way to add a little language learning to your breaks throughout your day.

Download the app and the next time you find yourself reaching for Bejewelled or Angry Birds, try making it a language break.

#6 Be Creative!

Ok, not the most specific tip, but it’s the best way to make your language learning fit your needs and your life. Any technique you find that highlights holes in your vocabulary, helps you practice new language or develops language reflexes is fantastic. Have fun with it! Make it into a game! Be creative, keep notes, practice what you learn, and you’ll be moving towards fluency at a nice speed. 

A Final Thought

“It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop” – Confucius

In the end, dedicating all your waking hours to learning your second language can be too intense. Remember that it’s not always about rushing to the finish line. Like any practice that takes time to master, consistency is more beneficial than intensity.