Hey there, language learners! 🌟 It’s Emma here, ELAM’s marketing manager and an enthusiastic Italian student. As someone who’s juggling language learning with a busy schedule, I know how valuable the holiday break can be for boosting your skills while still enjoying some well-deserved downtime. So, I’ve put together a list of my favorite tips to keep your language journey fun and productive during the holidays. Let’s dive in!
1. Immerse Yourself in Media
- Watch movies, TV shows, or YouTube videos in your target language—subtitles optional!
- Listen to music and sing along to practice pronunciation.
- Try podcasts or audiobooks to sharpen your listening skills.
- Emma’s Tip: I love watching Italian holiday classics dubbed in Italian—it’s festive and helps me pick up colloquial expressions!
2. Write a Holiday Journal
- Document your daily activities in the target language.
- Use seasonal vocabulary like traditions, festive foods, or travel experiences.
- Emma’s Tip: Writing about my Italian holiday traditions has been a great way to expand my vocabulary while creating lasting memories.
3. Use Language VR Apps![]()
- If you got a VR during the holidays there are some amazing apps like:
- Mondly VR: Offers conversational practice in various scenarios.
- Immerse VR: Focuses on interactive language classes and real-world contexts.
- Try gamified challenges to keep learning fun.
- Emma’s Tip: I set small daily goals on my apps—like mastering 5 new words—and it keeps me motivated without feeling overwhelmed.
4. Set Fun Holiday Goals
- Learn a holiday song or poem in your target language.
- Memorize festive phrases or idioms to use during celebrations.
- Emma’s Tip: I’m currently learning how to sing “Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle,” an Italian Christmas carol—it’s both challenging and rewarding!
5. Engage with Native Speakers![]()
- Attend virtual or local holiday events hosted by language communities.
- Emma’s Tip: I’ve made wonderful friends through online exchanges who even share their regional holiday traditions with me.
6. Cook Traditional Dishes![]()
- Follow recipes in your target language to learn food-related vocabulary.
- Apps like Marmiton (for French) or Giallo Zafferano (for Italian) are great resources.
- Emma’s Tip: Cooking Italian dishes like “Panettone” while learning the recipe instructions in Italian has been a delicious way to practice!
7. Play Language Games
- Try word games like Scrabble or crosswords in your target language.
- Use flashcard apps like Anki for vocabulary building.
- Emma’s Tip: I enjoy creating festive-themed flashcards with Italian words—it makes learning feel more creative.
8. Explore Holiday Traditions
- Research how holidays are celebrated in countries where your target language is spoken.
- Share what you learn through blog posts or social media—in the target language!
- Emma’s Tip: Learning about Italy’s “La Befana” tradition has deepened my cultural understanding and enriched my vocabulary.
9. Create Flashcards
- Make flashcards with holiday-themed words and phrases for daily practice.
- Decorate them with festive designs for added fun!
- Emma’s Tip: Flashcards have been my go-to for mastering tricky Italian verbs during the holidays.
10. Speak Every Day
- Commit to saying at least five sentences aloud daily.
- Record yourself to improve pronunciation and track progress.
- Emma’s Tip: Narrating my day in Italian—even if it’s just describing my Christmas tree—has helped me build confidence.
Final Thoughts from Emma ![]()
Consistency and enjoyment are key when it comes to language learning. By incorporating these tips into your holiday routine, you’ll not only keep your skills sharp but also make meaningful progress. So, grab a few ideas from this list, add your own twist, and let this holiday season be a linguistic adventure!
Buone feste e buon apprendimento! 🎄✨