Between work, school, kids, cooking, commuting, and family time, your day is probably already packed. So how are you supposed to add language practice on top of all that?
The truth is, you don’t need hours to improve your second language skills. Just 20 minutes a day can make a big difference if you use that time wisely. Here’s how to practice your second language daily, even when your schedule feels impossible.
Listen to a Podcast in Your Target Language While You Commute
Commuting to work, school, or the store? Turn that time into a mini language lab.
Instead of listening to the same playlist, play a podcast in your target language. Spanish, French, Japanese, you name it. Choose a topic you genuinely enjoy, such as true crime, beauty, travel, or interviews with interesting people.
When the episode is longer than your commute, simply pause it and pick it up again the next time you’re in the car. It’s a fun, effortless way to train your ear and pick up natural speech patterns.
Use Language Apps for Quick, Daily Practice
Language apps may not make you fluent on their own, but they are great for short, focused study sessions. Use them to review vocabulary, grammar basics, and pronunciation.
Since many apps are built around mini games or short lessons, 20 minutes a day is all you need to stay consistent. Plus, you’ll feel more productive than spending that same time scrolling social media.
Focus on One Difficult Topic at a Time
Don’t try to cover everything at once. If you’ve only got 20 minutes, choose one area that’s been challenging. Verb conjugations, pronunciation, or business phrases, for example.
Spend your entire session reviewing just that topic. If it’s particularly tricky, focus on it all week until you feel confident. By narrowing your focus, you’ll learn faster and retain more.
Practice One Language Skill Per Day
Stay organized by dedicating each day to a specific skill. For example:
- Monday: Writing practice
- Tuesday: Grammar review
- Wednesday: Listening practice
- Thursday: Reading comprehension
- Friday: Speaking
This method ensures balanced progress without feeling overwhelmed. If you have an extra day, revisit whichever skill you find most challenging.
Read for 20 Minutes Before Bed
Swap your nightly social media scroll for reading in your target language. Curl up with a book, magazine, or short story, something you actually enjoy.
It doesn’t need to be about language learning. In fact, it’s better if it’s not. Reading real stories or articles helps you pick up vocabulary and grammar in a natural context.
Bonus tip: Read out loud to improve your pronunciation and speaking confidence.
Watch Short Videos and Mimic the Speakers
Watching YouTube or TikTok in another language can be both entertaining and educational.
Find creators who speak your target language and cover topics you like, such as beauty, sports, food, or culture. Pause the video when you hear an interesting phrase, repeat it out loud several times, and try to match the accent and tone.
This trains your ear, pronunciation, and speaking rhythm, all within your 20-minute break.
Level Up with TruFluency’s Flexible Online Lessons
These quick study ideas will help you stay consistent, but true fluency requires guided speaking practice. That’s where TruFluency comes in.
Our online classes are 100 percent customized to your goals, whether that’s mastering business vocabulary, improving pronunciation, or becoming more conversational.
Using the Bellieu Method, created by founder Micah Bellieu, every class focuses on speaking from day one. Plus, our flexible schedules make it easy to fit language learning into your life, no matter how busy you are.
Try two one-hour trial classes for just $59 and start speaking with confidence today.
If you can find 20 minutes a day, you can learn a language. Small, consistent practice sessions, whether reading, listening, or speaking, build real fluency over time. The key is consistency and enjoyment.
So start today. Set aside just 20 minutes and watch your second language skills grow week after week.
