The abundance of language-learning materials available online has made it easier than ever to learn a language by yourself from the comfort of your own home. Total win, right? Not exactly… learning a foreign language isn’t like learning algebra or world history. To really progress and maintain your language skills, you need to do more than just study: you need to use the language regularly. Unless your language goals do not involve speaking proficiently, this is where other people come in to the equation. Meeting new people, speaking the language in real time, and making mistakes are vital to any serious language-learning regimen. But for the introverts among us, this might pose a problem.

1. An Introvert’s Guide
to Language Learning

2. There’s more to learning a language
than studying.
You need to use a language to achieve
greater proficiency.

3. Typically, using a language involves
speaking to other people.
Image by dearbarbie on Flickr.com

4. Image by dearbarbie on Flickr.com
For an introvert, conversing in a
foreign language turns an already
draining task into a completely
exhausting experience.

5. So how can introverts improve their
language skills without burning out?

6. Set simple goals.
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7. Don’t set “learn the language” as
your goal—it’s too overwhelming. Start
by setting simple, measurable goals.

8. Focus on becoming more comfortable in
social situations in general, not more
comfortable using the language itself.
(That will follow!)

9. Instead of trying to “speak fluently”, focus on
mustering up the courage to attend a
conversation group once per week. Each
time, try to speak a little bit more.

10. Join an online community.
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11. Not ready for face-to-face
interaction? Bridge the gap in an
online community.

12. Join Transparent Language’s online
communities (in two dozen languages!)
and take advantage of our free
resources alongside your fellow learners.

13. Find a conversation partner via
InterPals—an international pen pal
service. It’s a innocuous opportunity to
practice with a native speaker.

14. Contribute to an online forum like
Lang-8, where you can post in your
target language and receive polite
corrections from native speakers.

15. Find online tools that allow you to
interact with fellow language learners
and speakers while you build up to
more social activities.

16. Hire a one-on-one online tutor.
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17. The internet is a powerful language-
learning tool, but don’t hide behind it.
Image by Tambako the Jugar on Flickr.com

18. The internet gives you access to millions
of people around the world, including
trained teachers in your target language!

19. Hiring an online language tutor is a great
strategy for introverted learners.
Image by Ivo Posthumus on Flickr.com

20. It’s a controlled social situation—you pick
the time of day and the duration, and you
can learn from anywhere, ensuring you’ll
be prepared and comfortable.

21. Best of all, you’ll be working one-on-one
with a trained professional, without the
pressure of speaking to a large group.
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22. Sign up for an online class.
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23. If you do want to get the classroom
learning experience, sign up for
an online class.

24. You’ll receive all the benefits of a traditional
classroom—a trained instructor, peer
interaction, etc.—without the stresses an
introvert may associate with being in class.
Image by Christopher Sessums on Flickr.com

25. You’ll still be in the comfort of your own home,
and can disconnect when you’re finished,
avoiding taxing bi-products of a brick-and-
mortar class, like making small talk.

26. Learn with an extroverted friend.
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27. Find an outgoing, sociable friend or
colleague with whom you can learn.

28. You can tag along to classes or
conversation groups that would otherwise
feel stressed out attending alone.
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29. In addition to riding their coattails in
social situations, this strategy gives you a
practice partner with whom you already
feel relaxed and comfortable.

30. Recharge with individual activities.
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31. As an introverted language learner, you’ll have
to push yourself. But you should also reward
your and take time to recharge!
Image by Samuel M. Livingston on Flickr.com

32. Remember, introverts aren’t just shy
people, they are people who genuinely
find social situations to be draining.

33. It’s important to find solo activities that will keep
you engaged with the language while you
recharge a bit.

34. Complete a lesson in Transparent Language
Online, watch a movie or read a book in the
target language, listen to music, etc.

35. Whether you want to start slow or dive
right in, we’re here to help!
TRY IT FREE JOIN A CLASS
Learn on your own in
Transparent Language Online.
Learn with a professional instructor in
Transparent Connect!