Feeling Lost in Translation? Try These 6 Language Learning Tips

Moving to a new country means a lot of changes, and one of the biggest can be learning a new language. If you’re coming to the EU, you’ll likely encounter (at least) one of the 24 official languages in the member states—and it can be a little daunting! 

While data shows that 84.2% of primary school kids were learning English in 2021 across the EU, this proportion varies from country to country. You might find yourself in a new place with few English speakers—and certainly few native English speakers. 

It can feel like an adventure, but sometimes it can be stressful too. If you’re in a new place and trying to learn the local language, you’re not alone. These tips can help you make the process easier (and a bit more fun) while you get the hang of it. Let’s go!

1. Remember: It’s Okay to Make Mistakes
When you’re learning new languages, mistakes are going to happen, and that’s totally normal! You might mix up words, pronounce things wrong, or even forget how to say something mid-sentence. It can feel awkward or embarrassing, but keep in mind: everyone who learns a new language goes through this. 

It’s okay to feel that frustration and inability to express yourself the way you want to sometimes—what matters is that you’re trying. Each mistake is actually helping you learn. The more you mess up, the better you get. 

2. Find the Fun!

Textbooks and grammar drills aren’t the only way to learn a language. In fact, they can be kind of boring. What’s way more fun? Learning through games, apps, and even things like YouTube videos or TikToks in the language. 

Try re-watching shows or playing video games in the language you’re learning. It helps you hear it in real life context and pick up new words naturally. Reaching for a show you’ve already watched or game you’ve played and trying it in your new language isn’t just comforting, it can be hilarious! The dubs, the translations, the different ways that language is used—it adds a whole new element to an old favorite. 

Believe it or not, research shows that playing games can actually make learning a language easier. When you play, your brain remembers things faster and more naturally. In fact, games are one of the best ways to improve memory overall!  

Think about when you learned your first language as a kid—you didn’t learn it from a book. You learned it through talking and playing. The same thing works when learning a new language. Hanging out with friends, playing games, and watching tv can boost your skills without feeling like hard work.

Find what you like to do and add some of the new language in, like a twist. The more fun it is, the more you’ll want to keep learning.

3. Aim for “Functional Fluency”

In school, we get graded on how well we know a language, which can make you think you need to speak perfectly. But in the real world, fluency isn’t about perfection—it’s about being understood. This is called “functional fluency.” It means you can use a language well enough to get your point across, even if you don’t know every word or make grammar mistakes. 

Functional fluency is more practical than perfect fluency for most situations. After all, when you’re ordering food, asking for directions, or chatting with friends, no one’s grading you. If the person you’re talking to can understand what you’re saying, then you’re communicating successfully. You’re settling into your new home and gaining confidence and connections. That’s the real goal of language! Whether your sentence is “perfect” or not, what counts is that the message gets through.

This applies to talking with locals, too. This can be a scary part of learning a new language: what if they laugh, or don’t understand? But here’s the thing: most people will really appreciate the effort you’re making, even if you make mistakes. Locals usually love it when someone tries to speak their language, no matter how good or bad they are at it. Your effort shows respect and interest in their culture, and that means a lot. 

It’s also important to remember that knowing a few languages, even if you’re not an expert in any of them, is an amazing skill. Being able to switch between languages and still make yourself understood is a big win. 

4. Hang Out With Other Learners

One of the best ways to improve is to spend time with other people who are also learning the language. It’s a lot less intimidating when everyone around you is in the same boat, trying to figure things out together! It’s a great way to make friends. When you’re surrounded by others who are also practicing, there’s less pressure to be perfect because everyone understands how challenging it can be.

Being with other learners can also make things more fun and less stressful. Maybe someone in your group knows a word or phrase you don’t, and they can teach you. Or maybe you’re the one who helps someone else when they’re stuck. Learning together means sharing your progress, and that teamwork makes you feel like you’re not alone in the struggle.

Another great thing about learning with others is that it builds confidence. When you practice with other learners, you get used to speaking the language out loud in a safe space. Over time, that confidence will carry over when you’re using the language in real-world situations. You’ll find that even though no one is perfect, you’re all getting better—and that’s what really matters.

5. Don’t Stress About Not Knowing All the Slang

If you’ve grown up speaking a language at home but never lived in a place where it’s spoken as the main language, you might be surprised to find there’s a lot you don’t know! Even though you can hold a conversation, there’s so much more to language and communication than just vocabulary and grammar. 

For example, slang, idioms, jokes, and cultural references might totally fly over your head. Locals often use words or expressions that don’t show up in textbooks or casual conversation with family. You might hear phrases that don’t make sense literally or jokes that are tied to specific cultural moments you haven’t experienced.

And that’s perfectly okay! It’s normal to feel a little out of the loop when it comes to these everyday parts of language. It can be hard to pick up on the more subtle parts of language, like how people use humor. Languages are constantly evolving, and each region or city might have its own unique way of speaking.

The good news is you’ll pick up these local bits of language as you go. The more you listen and pay attention to how people talk in real life, the more you’ll start to understand and adapt to the local culture. Little by little, you’ll catch on to the inside jokes and the words that aren’t in your usual vocabulary. Don’t be hard on yourself as you get up to speed. 

6. Give Yourself Time 

It’s important to keep in mind that learning a new language is a marathon, not a sprint. You won’t get fluent in a language overnight, and that’s totally fine. Every day you practice, you’re getting better, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Celebrate small victories, like understanding a word you didn’t know before or having a short conversation. It’s all about progress, not perfection.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to tackle learning a new language with confidence and a bit of fun. Keep going, and remember to be patient with yourself—you’ve got this!

Navigating a Change? EKC is Here to Help.

Expat Kids Club isn’t just for people who live abroad – it’s for anyone who identifies as a current or former expat and needs support, anywhere in the world. We also offer video consults and appointments so our clients can build a stable, trusting relationship with their therapist, no matter where life takes them.

We specialize in helping people navigate new experiences and situations from the universal to the unique. Our mission is to help kids, teens, and families build resiliency, discover their identities and values, and form healthy coping strategies to manage the tough moments. 

EKC recognizes the importance of treating the family as a unit, bringing everyone together. We work with an individual approach and a systemic mindset to determine the best through any challenge. 

Schedule a call today to speak with one of our therapists and see how we can help your family thrive.