A1–A2 Version

Learning a new language is like building a chain. Every day you study, you add one new link to the chain. The longer the chain, the stronger it becomes. If you miss one day, it’s okay—you can keep going! The most important thing is to study a little every day.

Some people say building a habit is like brushing your teeth. If you don’t brush, you feel bad, so you should make studying feel the same way. But that’s not true! If you forget to study one day, nothing bad happens. You just feel a bit disappointed. So we need other ways to keep learning.

Here are some easy ways to study for only five minutes a day:

1. Graded Readers
These are short books made for language learners. The grammar and words are simple. Read something where you understand about 80%. I read short Korean stories every day, and it takes about five minutes.

2. Language Apps
Apps like Duolingo can help you study every day. Even short lessons are good. Don’t worry if the sentences are strange—it’s just a small fun game to keep your streak.

3. Podcasts
You can listen to podcasts while cooking, cleaning, or walking. Some are for beginners, others for advanced learners. Choose one at your level. Listening helps your ears get used to the new language.

4. Shower Talks
Talk to yourself in the shower in the language you’re learning! You can pretend to be on a TV show or speak with a friend. Don’t worry about mistakes—just talk!

Try to connect your study time with your daily life. For example, use your app while drinking coffee. What matters is not being perfect, but continuing to study. Each day you study, your “language chain” grows stronger!

B1 Version

Learning a new language is like making a chain. Every time you study, you add one more link. The longer your “language chain” becomes, the harder it is to break. If you skip a day, don’t worry—just keep going. What matters most is consistency.

People often say that habits are like brushing your teeth: if you skip it, you feel uncomfortable. But this isn’t really true for studying languages. If you forget to brush your teeth, you feel it right away, but if you miss a study day, nothing bad happens immediately. That’s why you need other ways to stay motivated.

Here are some five-minute ideas to help you keep your language learning habit:

1. Graded Readers
These are short books written for language learners, using simple grammar and vocabulary. Choose stories where you understand about 80%. I read one or two short Korean texts a day—it only takes five minutes, and it’s great for learning words in context.

2. Language Learning Apps
Apps like Duolingo are popular. Some people love them, some don’t, but they can help you build a daily routine. Even if you only do one short lesson, you’re still studying. It’s best not to rely on apps completely—just use them as a small part of your study time.

3. Podcasts
Listening to podcasts in your target language is also studying. You can listen while doing chores, exercising, or walking. Choose shows that match your level. If they’re too hard, your brain will stop paying attention.

4. Shower Talks
Try talking to yourself in the shower in your target language! You can pretend to be in a TV interview or tell a story. It helps you practice speaking and become more confident.

Even small actions can help you keep learning. Try connecting your new habit to something you already do—for example, listen to a podcast while drinking your morning coffee.

Remember: the goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress. Every small action adds a new link to your learning chain, making it stronger day by day.

B2-C1 Version

I’ve often read and heard that building new habits is like forging a chain; every day you practice the new habit is a new link in the chain, and the longer the chain, the harder it is to break it.  I also think that once your “habit chain” gets really long, it’s easier to continue forging it even after skipping a few links.  In a way, learning a new language is similar to forming a new habit; consistency is key.  The question here is, what is the best way to study to ensure that you won’t break your “language learning chain.”

You might have heard the old cliché comparing habits to brushing your teeth.  It usually goes somewhat like this: “If you skip brushing your teeth, you usually feel kinda gross, so you have to make it so that skipping the habit you’re trying to create - in this case, studying - makes you feel as gross as not brushing your teeth.”  At first glance, that might seem like it makes sense, after all I’m sure you’ve all forgotten to brush your teeth (or been too drunk to do so…) at least once, and I doubt any of you decided that because you’d failed at keeping the habit alive, you would now forgo brushing your teeth for the rest of your life.  However, this comparison doesn’t hold water when you consider the fact that not brushing your teeth comes with immediate consequences, and not studying your target language comes with very little.  You might feel disappointed with yourself, of course, but bad breath and cavities are much stronger motivators than not reaching a study goal.

So, how can you ensure that you continue to forge your language study chain?

In a previous column (in Japanese), I mentioned that people tend to overestimate how much they can study in a specific amount of time, which results in discouragement and eventually leads to giving up.  So, today, in keeping with this week’s tutor column, I thought I’d give you a little list of 5-minute actions that can help you build and strengthen your learning habit. 

1. Graded Readers

Graded readers are books or short texts written or adapted for language learners, using controlled vocabulary and simplified grammar appropriate to their proficiency level.  I use one for Korean and try to read one or two short texts every day.  It usually doesn’t take me more than 5 minutes, and it’s a good tool to reinforce and build your vocabulary in context. There are many graded reader apps out there, but you can also find some free online ones like this one.  The key here is to find a level where you understand about 80% of the content.

2. Language Learning Apps

Here in North America, Duolingo is one of the most both loved and reviled gamified language learning apps.  Although the sentences these apps provide can indeed be weird and often useless, they nonetheless offer users a way to achieve a daily study goal.  Even if you do the shortest of lessons to keep your streak alive, you’ve still studied a little bit.  Often, opening the app with the intention of doing very little will lead you to spend more time on it than expected.  In short, don’t make them the cornerstone of your language journey; just treat them as a little game.

3. Podcasts

Although it may not feel like it, listening to podcasts in your target language is a form of studying.  The beauty of this media is that you can listen to shows while taking care of household chores, working out at the gym, or going for a walk, etc.  Most podcasts are free, and the apps often allow you to slow down the audio (or speed it up if you prefer a challenge) for improved understanding.  There are many “Learn X Language” podcasts available that teach the target language in the speaker’s native tongue; however, unless you’re a total beginner, I recommend shows where the majority of the content is in your target language.  Like graded readers, it’s essential to choose podcasts that are adapted to your level while still presenting a challenge.  Chances are, if it’s too complicated, your brain will filter it out like background noise, and you’ll realize you’ve been thinking about tonight’s dinner instead of focusing on what is being said.

4. Shower Talks

Back in university, one of my Japanese roommates would talk to himself in the shower.  The first time I heard him, I asked if he was ok when he came out.  He then explained to me that he used the time he spent in the shower to speak French (we were in Montreal) to himself, practicing what he had learned.  This struck me as pure genius, and I adopted the practice.  Instead of ruminating on shower thoughts, why not use this time to further your language learning?  The key with shower talk is to do it out loud and not worry about making mistakes.  You can pretend to be on a TV show, interviewing someone you admire, etc.  The possibilities are endless, and this goes a long way to building your confidence.

These actions can keep you from giving up on learning a new language. However, sometimes even these small things can feel daunting, so I recommend tying them to existing habits to make them easier to achieve (e.g., pair your morning coffee with a session on your language app).  Take these as the foundation of your learning, and then add extra study sessions to your schedule that delve more in-depth whenever you have the time and motivation.  

To conclude, what matters is not perfection, but progression.  As you add links to your “language learning chain,” you will build momentum that will, in turn, help you sustain your new habits.  Let me know if you’ve tried any of these before, or if you have your own little daily tricks!