How to learn a new language on your own

Apps are a great start but most people stall there. The people who get conversational mix daily practice with listening to real speech and, early on, actually speaking, even badly.

Start this week

Your first 3 steps

1
Write down why you want this language and one thing you want to do with it
5 min · Done when: One clear reason written down
A concrete reason (talk to family, travel, a job) keeps you going when the novelty wears off.
2
Do your first 15-minute lesson in a free app
15 min · Done when: First lesson finished
An app gives you a daily habit and the basics of pronunciation and grammar.
3
Learn to say 5 phrases about yourself: name, where you're from, what you do, what you like
20 min · Done when: You can say all 5 out loud
Talking about yourself is the first real conversation you'll have, so learn it early.

Pursivon reminds you each morning and builds the rest of your plan.

Your first 4 weeks

Week 1
Do 15 minutes a day in your app and practice your 5 phrases out loud.
Week 2
Add 10 minutes a day of listening: a podcast, show or music in the language.
Week 3
Learn the 100 most common words and make flashcards for them.
Week 4
Have your first short conversation with a tutor, language exchange partner or native-speaking friend.

Mistakes that stop most people

Only using apps and never speaking.
Waiting until you're "ready" to talk to people.
Studying for two hours once a week instead of a little every day.

Common questions

How long does it take to learn a language?

It depends on the language and your time. Many people can handle simple conversations after a few months of daily practice.

Can I learn a language with just an app?

Apps build vocabulary and habits, but most people also need listening practice and real conversation to become comfortable speaking.

How do I practice speaking alone?

Talk to yourself about your day, shadow audio (repeat right after a speaker), or record yourself and compare.

More guides

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