31 May,2026 10:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Tanisha Banerjee
Studying a language alone takes patience and consistency. PIC/ISTOCK
Learning a language costs money. And lots of it. When I realised I had to learn French in order to study abroad, I thought it was the end of my dreams. Who has the money for it in this economy? Or the time? Classes require proper discipline and commitment, something which a lot of us don't have, with a job to do and chores to complete. Brewing in this dilemma I came to the conclusion that I am going to learn French from scratch. On my own. Not a penny spent. Here's how I did it.
A notebook and a dictionary goes a long way. PIC/ISTOCK
Make sure to maintain a dictionary from English to whichever language you're learning. A separate notebook where you note down all the grammar, vocabulary, rules - anything. You need to start looking at children's stories once you know basic words and sentences. Also, buy beginner level exercise books on Amazon. Traditional learning really goes a long way. Follow language podcasts or accounts on your social media. Take it slow. You are going to do it! In a few months' time, you will realise the progress you have made.
This is somewhere that most people fail. Listen, I don't sit with my notebook and do my French lesson for one hour every day without fail. This is where Duolingo comes handy. You are not disconnected from the language as a whole as long as you maintain some relationship with it. Don't lose the streak for the language completely. Missing out on a day or two in a week is fine. But make the time for it. Use your bathroom time to do one lesson on the app. Do one Youtube class before going to bed. Repeat words out loud while getting dressed. It is not easy, but it is achievable.
Spotify, Pinterest and Duolingo
If, and only if, you are genuinely passionate about the language can you learn it. I started with downloading Duolingo. It is a long path to even form two sentences in a strange language. Duolingo, however, makes you come back, do the lessons, gives small grammar tips here and there, and does not overwhelm you with information. That's the hook to get you to maintain your streak. And honestly, it is fun.
Tidbits from Instagram accounts like these always make life easier. PIC/INSTAGRAM@blissfullbloom1673
Doing only Duolingo and saying you're learning a language is a bit dumb unless you do it for years. Start doing online classes on Youtube. The Internet is your best friend. There are multiple channels and creators who teach various concepts and languages from the start. So that's where you learn how to conjugate verbs in past, present, and future.
That is when you can start thinking in the particular script, write a few lines and paragraphs, and so on. Growth only starts once you mix your lessons and practise through various mediums. Remember, you aren't paying for proper courses anywhere so you have to do double the work, taking double the time. The only convenience is that you get to choose when you can sit down for it.
