How I’m learning a language by myself (part 3: intermediate to upper intermediate)

In this series of articles, I started sharing the tools and methods I used to start learning a language on my own. I wrote about mobile apps, vocab and grammar notes, and reading children’s books. In a second post, I explained how I moved from beginner to intermediate, with video games dedicated to language learning, conversations with someone who can’t speak my mother tongue, flashcards, and even Disney songs!

In this new article, I’ll share how I moved from intermediate to upper intermediate, and the techniques that helped me the most.

Hey, did you know all my articles are also available in a native French version? If you’re learning French, I highly recommend you to read the original French only version, then come back to the English version if needed. Please note the English version is not a literal translation of the French one.

Take notes daily in the language your learn⭐️

In order to practice building sentences in this new language, I started taking notes daily: my to-do list, grocery list, something I have to remember for later…

At the end of the day, I also started writing a short journal entry of what I had done that day. Nothing too long or complicated. I was trying to use sentences constructions and vocab that I actually knew, instead of searching for answers on the Internet. I also believe it’s better to write small but regular texts, rather than spending one hour on a longer one, every once in a while.

🎉If you’re learning French and need inspiration on how to write your journal, I offer many examples and key sentences on different topics to help you in French journaling! As usual, those are available both in a French-only version, or with explanations in English.

Taking notes and journaling help you:

• memorizing words and expressions, by reusing what you’ve heard or seen (it’s more efficient than cramming vocab lists by heart),
• practice building sentences naturally, without relying on theory,
• notice words or expressions you don’t know yet but would like to use often.

Change the language of video games

This is different from playing games dedicated to language learning. In this case, I started changing the language of games I usually play, especially “cosy” games where there a dialogs. This way, I could try to follow the written or audio dialogs in that language, while playing something I liked.

It’s easier to do this in games that are close to “real life” (management games, relationship games, building games…) than games in a fantasy or scifi setting. The vocabulary of imaginary worlds is mor complicated and less useful in the day-to-day. Some fantasy games also rely a lot on dated language.

I found this technique quite difficult. Personally, I often play action games, so dialogs were not so easy to follow. Reading in another language also slows down you rhythm, which makes it a bit frustrating. You have to find games where the language is close to the one actually used in the real world, and the content is interesting. Also, the game cannot rely on the dialogs for success, otherwise, you could get stuck just by not understanding a word.

Read books in comprehensible input ⭐️⭐️⭐️

So far, that’s the technique that made me feel the biggest progression and that I still enjoy using. I found short stories in comprehensible language (something like “graded readers”). These texts cover many different topics, from everyday life to fiction, and are available in different levels.

The goal is to read them without dictionary or translation service. Sometimes, illustrations help the read understand the context, or some more complicated words.

🎉That’s exactly what I share on my Substack: texts in natural but comprehensible French, about my day-to-day (not fictional).

Thanks to the comprehensible input technique, I can see my evolution and I become more confident in my ability to understand the language.

I also found some websites and applications sharing texts with littler helpers (interactive dictionary or other). Unfortunately, I cannot give you examples for French, as I haven’t found any, but if you know some, would you be so kind to share them in the comments?

Read native books in a foreign language

I tried a few times reading whole books, written for “native speakers”. It’s more difficult to find books that are the right level for you, unless you’re already advanced in the language. The best I’ve found so far are manga.

Check this list for a few native French manga that are accessible at intermediate level!

Change the language of my navigation system

It was working fine and I learned a few new words thanks to this. However, after a few weeks, I wasn’t learning anything new anymore.

Change the language of my virtual assistant

I changed the language of my virtual assistant (like Siri, Alexa, Google assistant…), but I rarely use it so it wasn’t very efficient.

However, if you do use it, this is a nice way to practice speaking short sentences and hearing answers in the language.

Watch my favorite TV shows in another language⭐️⭐️

I watch TV shows or movies that I’ve already seen. As it’s way above my current level, I don’t understand every single word or sentence, but as I already know the story and the context, it’s easier to concentrate to hearing new words or expressions. It’s also good to get used to hearing the language, while watching something I like. It helps connect words and expressions with memorable scenes.

Watch comprehensible input videos ⭐️⭐️

I found a lot of videos on Youtube that were made for people learning a new language. They are not lessons, but videos where the creator speaks about anything (their day for example), but in a simpler and slower way. Difficult words and expressions are often explained. The video helps understanding the context. Worst case, I can use the subtitles (in the foreign language!) as a support.

I never use translated subtitles, because the human brain is lazy, and I tend to peek at the subs as soon as I don’t understand a word.

🎉You can subscribe to my Youtube channel Écoute en français ! There’s little content for the moment but I can use your advice for future videos, and by subscribing you won’t miss new content.

Watching videos is a bit easier than listening to podcasts, because the video itself, the environment, the gestures of the speaker… add some context, and I can use subtitles for extra hints. On the other hand, it forces you to stay in front of a screen, while podcast allow you to do something at the same time.

Follow native Instagram accounts

I tried following accounts of people speaking the language I’m learning, so I would see them in my feed and read some regularly… but honestly, I was skipping them most of the time. This didn’t work for me.

🎉If you want to try it and follow French speaking Instagram accounts, you can subscribe to mine. I share about travels, minimalism, my cat, what I read…

Other things I’d like to do to improve my language learning

I still have plenty ideas about how to get better, for example:

• Exchanging emails with a native speaker.
• Spending a few months abroad, and even work over there to be able to practice daily (for example, with WWOOF)
• Writing longer texts, and writing more often.
• Reading blogs and Substack newsletters in that language.
• Reading novels for teenagers or young adults.
• Speak with someone in that language.

What about you, what are you currently doing to practice French? What’s the most difficult? What could help you?

Want to read in French? Discover “Mon journal en français” (intermediate level for French learners) or “Le salon de thé The Flonicles” (native or advanced French)