So, this blog usually focuses on travel, but I like to throw in some posts about my other passion: language learning.

For those new here, I am a polyglot in training, able to speak five languages to varying levels of fluency and working on three more this year. The global pandemic we’re currently experiencing has forced so many things to change and that includes language learning! I used to like attending language learning meet ups or organizing language exchanges with folks in my city, but in the age of social distancing, most of these events aren’t being held and people are hesitant to meet up with too many people, even outside. So, here’s my list of ways I’ve been working on my languages during lockdown!

1. WhatsApp

Yup, WhatsApp. Believe it or not, it’s actually a really great tool for language learning. One of the local language learning groups in my city set up several WhatsApp language groups for different languages once the lockdown began. Currently, I’m in groups for Spanish, French and German. We also have an online event to chat over video call every week. There are positives and negatives to using WhatsApp.

Firstly, the groups I mentioned – especially the Spanish group – are pretty large. Being in a group chat with 80+ people is about as chaotic as it sounds. I did find myself often muting the group when conversations got too animated, and really you need to be peeling off individuals or smaller groups if you want to keep track of things. That being said, features like voice notes are really helpful for practising conversation without having to be available for a voice call. Also, I guess this comes with any online platform, but it’s still so crazy to me to be chatting with people in places like Colombia and Guatamala. For languages like Spanish, getting exposure to various accents is really helpful! Of course, one of the greatest drawbacks is the fact you need to share your number with a LOT of people.

2. Tandem

I’m obsessed with this app! A friend got me into it. There are quite a few apps following the same set up as Tandem, that being an app built for language exchange offering voice and video calls, correction features and even study options. I love how I can practice a few different languages – even changing which ones I’m focusing on when I please – and be connected globally with people, and having various options to contact your language partner is useful for when you’re busy or not using the app as much. Again, Tandem has its pros and cons.

The cons I have only come up against more frequently and it’s less of a problem with the app and more with people. The vast majority of people I have spoken with have been super friendly, patient and engaging. A few others have been impatient, expecting instant responses, and others yet have tried persistently to get my contact information from me. Don’t feel pressured to give away your phone number or anything on apps like Tandem. With all the built-in features, there’s no need. Unlike WhatsApp, the people you’re chatting with don’t need your number. Thankfully, if things ever go really sour, Tandem does have a reporting system in place and they allegedly swiftly ban or suspend accounts that are reported for being inappropriate. Plus, there’s always the block button 🙂

As for the pros, I love the fact there is correcting features in the conversation! It’s so easy to make a correction and send it back to the person you’re chatting with. You can send messages, voice notes, have calls. I love how flexible it is. You can use the explore page to find people looking to learn your language(s), as well as search for actual tutors if you wish. I’ve been so surprised by how many people have approached me to chat. Weirdly, nobody really cares that I’m a native English speaker. They all seem to want to practice German with me, which I speak as a second language ^^; If you pay for the pro version, you can actually also find people in your city or near to your city, but please remember, Tandem is not a dating site and you will get banned, etc. for trying to use it as such. This is a language learning community 🙂

3. HelloTalk

This app is very similar to Tandem, except it has more options for study. Sadly, I’ve been neglecting this app despite seeing good reviews of it from a language vlogger I follow. I have been using it for practicing writing Korean as it contains a diary type feature – a little like Lang8 if you’ve ever used it. I’ve found, however, that not many people want to practice speaking with me the same way they do on Tandem. I think I still need to explore HelloTalk more by reaching out to people and also making use of the study materials. When I looked at the study materials initially, they did look really good! I might have to come back to this to update on how this goes, but I want you guys to be aware of more options!

4. Practicing with other learners – lockdown edition

So, I found out that a few of my fellow volunteers in a group I work with are also learning Spanish. We all have different levels and aren’t perfect, but we have a lot of fun practicing weekly together on a Zoom call; discussing everything from books to films to traditions in our countries and more! It helps to broaden our vocabulary and grammar, and sometimes we’re lucky enough to have help from native speakers who join our calls to just hang out. Having friends who are learning too can be really motivating and I’ve found it accelerated my friendships with everyone involved~

5. Hiring a private tutor

Arabic has been a huge challenge for me this year. I’m finding it really difficult, particularly in relation to grammar. I found a tutor in Egypt on iTalki and the lessons have been going really well. Again, it blows my mind how the internet connects me to so many far off places! iTalki has proved to be a good resource to find a good, affordable tutor and I’m considering doing the same for Hindi and/or French, depending on how much progress I make this year. So far, I can see a lot of progress in my Arabic, but I need to study a lot more!

6. Make Netflix your study buddy

Apart from watching shows in my target languages, like the excellent Street Food documentary series and French comedy series ‘Call My Agent’, I have been enjoying English-language content too. I have got into the habit of using subtitles in another language if I’m watching something in English, just to add an extra slice of learning. Usually, these subtitles will be in French or Spanish, as they’re more widely available on titles in my experience. It’s a cool way to pick up random vocabulary and see how translators have handled quirky bits of English.

7. Podcasts!

This wouldn’t be a list I wrote unless it contained podcasts. Ah, my love for podcasts knows no bounds. I love the medium as an entertainment and learning tool, and once I started to find language content, I was hooked. I listen to things like Duolingo’s podcasts, which has a nice story format which introduces various cultures, as well as learner-centred podcasts like Hoy Hablamos (Spanish) and Learn Hindi on the Go. My next goal is to find more native-speaker-centred podcasts to get more natural content to listen to. I used to have a bunch in Japanese, but they stopped updating, so I need to revive my list. I’m currently obsessed with several history podcasts, so I have been well and truly distracted, but I promise podcasts are a really wonderful tool for listening comprehension!

What are your favourite ways to learn a language? Have you started learning any languages during lockdown?