How to Learn a Language Effectively: Tips from Our Tutors

Speak it to remember it – Pascoe reminds us that repetition is key:

“Repetition is a great way to tell your own brain: this is important, remember it! This is particularly important when learning new words because we have two types of vocabulary: passive and active – that is the words we understand and the words we can use. New language always starts as passive but in order to make the switch to active we must use them and this means speaking them aloud not just reading or writing them down.”

This is why simply recognising words in a text or understanding them in a lesson isn’t enough. Speaking forces your brain to retrieve language actively, strengthening memory and making recall quicker and more automatic over time. Even simple techniques, such as saying new words out loud, using them in short sentences or repeating them during everyday activities, can help bridge the gap between knowing a word and being able to use it confidently in real conversations.

Focus on pronunciation from the start – Caroline suggests building good habits early:

“If you’ve decided to learn a foreign language, my first piece of advice is to work on the pronunciation of its sounds right from the start. We all have accents, of course, but developing good habits early and trying to pronounce things accurately will give you a strong foundation to build on. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Errors are a normal and necessary part of learning. Try to speak whenever you can, even if you feel unsure. Confidence grows with practice!”

Caroline also emphasizes note-taking: “Organize your notes into clear categories and always write down the gender of nouns if the language uses them. Finally, for your personal study time, short and frequent sessions work much better than one long study session the day before your lesson!”

Consistent revision is key – Lesley suggests that revising what you have learned after class is very important:

“Try to revise or at least read through your notes within 24 hours to engage your long-term memory.”

This short window after a lesson is when new information is most fragile, so revisiting it helps reinforce what you’ve just learned before it fades. Even a brief review can make a significant difference, whether that means rereading notes, rewriting key points or practising a few examples. Regular, low-pressure revision builds stronger connections over time and makes future lessons more effective, as you’re constantly reinforcing and building on what you already know rather than starting from scratch each week.

Immersive yourself in the language – Pete’s top tip is to keep the language all around you as you study:

“Learning a language needs to become a lifestyle change, not just lessons you take once or twice a week. By keeping the language “all around you”, you train your ear, reinforce what you’ve learned and make progress feel more natural and continuous.”

Immersion doesn’t have to mean living abroad or surrounding yourself with the language all day. Small, realistic changes can be just as effective, such as listening to podcasts or music, watching short videos, changing the language on your phone or reading simple texts related to your interests. These everyday exposures help learners become more comfortable with natural rhythm, pronunciation and structures, making the language feel less like something studied in isolation and more like a part of daily life.

Focus on mindset and motivation – Eben tells us that success comes from consistency, not perfection:

“After years of teaching adults as a Business English tutor and coach, I’ve come to see that language success is not determined by intelligence, need, talent, or even desire, but by sustained motivation and the right mindset. In particular, a mindset that treats language learning as an enjoyable process where progress matters more than perfection.

Like learning a musical instrument, language skills develop through consistent practice. Learners who approach this process with curiosity and personal interest retain far more than perfectionists, who often fear making mistakes and therefore produce less in order to ‘save face’.

My best advice to language learners is to look for yourself in the language beyond textbooks and classroom discussions. Get interested not in finding yourself, but in creating yourself in the target language. Ask what you want to look and sound like as a speaker, set small, realistic goals that move you closer to that ideal, practise consistently, celebrate milestones and, above all, enjoy the journey!"