What are the Stages of Language Learning?

Learning a language is like a game. The first level starts with a simple hello and how are you. This is when you’ll start learning the rules, find out surprising facts, and devise your own methods to master the game (or the language!)

As you continue, you’ll unlock new levels with new challenges, such as making phone calls in the target language, watching movies without subtitles, or speaking without switching to English. These milestones represent different stages of language learning, which are all beautiful in their own way.

No matter if you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, you should focus on enjoying the experience and embracing the challenges. If you’re not sure how, we have some tips on language courses, resources, and travel to help you become a fluent speaker!

5 Major Stages of Language Learning

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Everyone starts as a new student. The next stages of learning a language involve being a beginner, an intermediate, and an advanced learner. Once you’re able to use the language in almost all circumstances, you’re considered a fluent speaker.

The description of fluency varies from person to person, but it’s important to note that fluent speakers are learners too. There are always new words and fascinating facts to learn about languages.

Let’s start from the very beginning! Here are the five stages of learning a new language, and some tips to help you get to the next level:

1. New Student

You have an incredible opportunity when you’re first starting out: You can research the best language classes, try out different study methods, or download a few language learning apps to see what works best. Here are some mindset and study tips for starting out:

• Set clear goals: Why do you want to learn the language? For your studies? To travel to a country that speaks the target language? Or to simply broaden your horizons? Depending on your goal, set yourself achievable milestones. For example, if you want to learn French for your upcoming trip to Paris, you can aim to cover travel vocabulary that would help you order food in a restaurant, ask for directions, and understand the basics.
• Take a language class: By starting language classes, you’ll set a strong foundation. Your teacher will give feedback on your progress, which will help you get to the next stage of learning a second language.
• Don’t only focus on grammar: Many people find grammar scary. If you’re one of them, try focusing your energy on other aspects of language. Try listening to native speakers, practicing your pronunciation skills, and learning new words. Grammar will follow!

2. Beginner

You’re well on your way to taking on all the stages of language learning.

After a few classes, some new words, and general knowledge about the culture, you’ll realize that you’re not “the new student” anymore. You’ve already covered some basics, and now you’re ready to build up your vocabulary with some daily life topics. At this stage, you can:

• Use language apps: Complete bite-sized lessons to improve your vocabulary or find a language partner online. Depending on what you need, you can find language apps that will help you practice on a daily basis.
• Learn vocabulary by topics: When you’re studying vocabulary, focus on categories instead of learning words on their own. Categories could be any word groups that are related—think “clothes,” “animals,” “furniture,” and so on. This way, you’ll be more likely to remember and form links between words.
• Continue your language classes: Your classes will help you practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing, while keeping you accountable and motivated.

3. Intermediate

Reading books in your target language is a great way to improve your skills and understanding.

Once you’ve passed the beginner stage of learning a new language, it’s time to put your words in context. You can now do more than form basic phrases, as you’re most likely comfortable with topics like hobbies and daily routines. Here are some tips to continue improving:

• Start reading books: Try reading graded books written for language learners or short stories in the target language. Even if you don’t know all the words that come up, you’ll see them in context, which will help you understand their meaning.
• Watch shows: By watching TV shows, movies, or series in the target language, you’ll improve your listening, pronunciation, and comprehension skills. Plus, it’s fun, and you can find a lot of shows that fit your interests.
• Take a language course abroad: If possible, consider signing up for a language course abroad, in a country where your target language is spoken. Besides attending classes, you’ll also learn about the culture, talk to native speakers, and live your life in that language!

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4. Advanced

The hard part is over. You no longer have to translate everything in your head or think twice if you pronounced all the words correctly. Daily life topics are not a big deal anymore, but you feel like you need a deeper understanding of more complex topics, like politics, science, or art. Here is what you can do:

• Study, work, or volunteer abroad: Especially if you want to improve your knowledge in a specific area, studying, working, or volunteering abroad can do wonders for your language skills. For example, if you’re a medical student and your target language is Spanish, volunteering in a health center in Latin America will equip you with medicine-related vocabulary.
• Engage with local media: Watch news, read online newspapers, and follow social media accounts that publish content in your target language. This way, you’ll learn about the culture beyond the textbook language.
• Leave English out of the picture: Start watching movies without English subtitles, use a dictionary with definitions in the target language, and try not to switch back to English when you don’t know a word. This practice will help you rely on your language skills and give you confidence.

5. Fluent

Fluency takes constant work, but it’s worth it!

You can now speak in the target language on almost any topic. This is definitely an important milestone, but it doesn’t mean the work is over. Don’t worry—keeping your fluency is one of the most enjoyable stages of learning a language. Here are three activity ideas at this stage:

• Attend events abroad or in your home country: If possible, travel abroad to a country where the language is spoken. At your level, practicing doesn’t have to be through a language class. You could attend events that pique your interest—salsa classes in Cuba for Spanish learners, Oktoberfest in Munich for German learners, or carnival in Rio de Janeiro for Portuguese learners, maybe? If traveling is not possible, you can look for events or conversation groups in your hometown to stay connected with the language and culture.
• Join communities: Participate in online forums or local groups that use the language. These could be conversation groups, book clubs, networking events, or online activities that will push you toward using your skills.
• Continue using the language in creative ways: Think outside the box—you could teach the language to others, tutor college students, or start a social media account about your language learning journey. If you made it this far, your experiences could help others who are at the beginning stages of second language learning.

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Learning a language takes time, but consistency is key!

Reaching fluency in a new language is an incredibly rewarding journey, but it’s important to remember that language learning never truly ends. Whether you're just starting as a new student or achieving fluency, there are always new words, nuances, and cultural insights to discover. Each stage of learning brings its own set of challenges and milestones, but with persistence, you’ll find joy in every step of the process. Keep setting goals, stay curious, and continue immersing yourself in the language through study, travel, and practice. Making the leap from new student to fluent doesn’t happen overnight. But when it does, it’s indeed a rewarding experience! Continue studying and practicing the language in different ways—it will pay back.