Stuck in language learning? Try these four tips

MISSIONARY LIFE
February 2019

By Jessica Dais — Missionaries who have put in the hard work to learn a second language can attest: There’s something to be said about the special connection that’s forged when you speak in someone’s heart language.

There is a deeper level of empathy on your part, and a stronger sense of trust on theirs. You’re able to move much more quickly from stranger to friend. Nelson Mandela captured this idea beautifully when he said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

Learning the local language can help you make a lasting impact in the country where you serve and can help you take your personal relationships to the next level. With the right strategy and tools, becoming conversationally fluent isn’t as hard as you might think.

Immerse yourself

So, how do you get started? When time is of the essence, the fastest way to learn any language is by immersion. Many consider this method to be a form of “trial by fire.” It involves surrounding yourself with the local language, and not shying away from it.

SEND’s career missionaries generally spend their first two years on the field studying the language and culture, which sets them up for effective, long-term ministry. If you’re already in your host country, seize every opportunity to hang out with native speakers. Go to local events in the community and observe how others communicate, including their body language.

For extreme introverts, it can feel like torture to step outside of your comfort zone in this way. But when you realize that the only thing standing in between you and fluency is yourself, it gets a lot easier to put yourself in an immersion experience.

Bring the learning home

In your free time at home, the learning shouldn’t stop! Watch the news, movies, and YouTube videos featuring native speakers. Even better, turn on the English subtitles so you can follow along. This process is highly beneficial as your mind will start automatically associating words and phrases with their meanings.

If you want to take it a step further, change the language settings on all your devices to the language of your host country. Subscribe to a blog in the language, or try reading children’s books and listening to podcasts.

Make foibles your friends

As intimidating as it may seem, remember that the best way to become conversationally fluent is to put your skills into practice. Don’t wait until you feel comfortable enough to start speaking with the locals.

On the contrary, you should become more and more comfortable with misinterpretations and miscommunications — these are a normal and expected part of language learning. So don’t take yourself too seriously! Accept early on that it’s very likely you will embarrass yourself at some point. Speak anyway!

Thankfully, there is grace in these situations. The locals likely will appreciate your efforts to speak in their language. Be encouraged by Galatians 6:9 , “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Harness the power of technology

One final tip: Many missionaries prefer to learn the basics of a language before leaving their home country. This is a great way to set yourself up for success. In this digital age, there are fortunately many free tools at our disposal. Here are just a few options:

  • Download an app like Duolingo or Memrise to quickly memorize the basics.

  • Take online language classes, preferably with a live teacher. Try the free membership option at TakeLessons Live for starters.

  • Use Meetup to find other nearby language learners with whom you can practice your skills.

  • Find a pen pal or learning partner on a language exchange network, such as italki.



The path to missions can feel overwhelming! Our experienced mission coaches will walk alongside you every step of the way.

Contact a coach button
• Find out how you can become a SEND missionary.

• Subscribe to On Mission , our free monthly newsletter full of inspiration, ideas, and encouragement for people interested in becoming cross-cultural missionaries.

Additional Posts

By Diaspora North America June 29, 2025
Carrying the Weight of Sacrifice
By Diaspora North America June 29, 2025
Living in Fear
By Diaspora North America June 29, 2025
March 7, 2025 Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution only to break it in less than a week? On March 1, 1.8 billion Muslims began their annual fasting month called Ramadan. They are supposed to fast completely—no water or food—during daylight hours from March 1–Mar 29. It begins with much fanfare, promises, and declarations, as fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims believe that faithfully keeping the fast ensures one’s place of favor with God. But many Muslims won’t be able to keep the fast through the whole 30 days. The reasons and excuses are myriad. Sometimes they will continue to claim to be fasting, but in reality, they are eating behind closed doors. To gain God’s favor, they must fast through the whole month, not just part of it. So, they live with the guilt and shame of not fulfilling the requirements of Islam. What was supposed to help gain their salvation now stands in condemnation. A Feast Within the Fast To complicate matters even more, Persian New Year’s Day is March 20, right in the middle of the fasting month. Persian New Year is one of the most important cultural holidays for most Iranian and Afghans, as well as many others with a Persian background scattered throughout Central Asia and the Middle East. In fact, many people with Persian heritage don’t just celebrate on one day. Their New Year’s celebrations extend over two weeks! How do they reconcile these two weeks of festivities within Ramadan? For Arab Muslims, it is a non-issue. But for the Persian world, it IS a struggle. The hard-core Taliban will try to push people to keep the fast. However, many will lean more towards keeping their more ancient pre-Islamic traditions of New Year’s. I would encourage you to take time to explore with your Muslim neighbors and colleagues why they fast. Then share why Christians fast. Perhaps read Isaiah 58 with them, summarize it, and ask for their thoughts on this passage. One more thing to note during Ramadan is the Night of Power. Each year, during Ramadan, on or about the 27th day of the month, there is a special time called the Night of Power. This year it will happen on or around March 26. Muslims believe the Night of Power is when Mohammad first received the revelations of the Quran from the Angel Gabriel. Prayers offered up by Muslims during Ramadan—especially prayers in a mosque—are believed to be weightier than prayers at any other time. However, prayers on this special Night of Power, prayed in a mosque, are considered infinitely more valuable than any other prayer. Many Muslims will stay up all night praying on the Night of Power to earn extra points with God. There is a small problem in all of this, though—Muslims can’t agree on which night is actually the Night of Power. It is sometime during the last ten days of Ramadan, with tradition stating that it is on the 26th or 27th night. There are several resources to help Christians and churches pray for the Muslim world through this month of Ramadan. I would encourage you to connect with some or all of them. Please make others in your church aware of these resources. Perhaps you could even host a special prayer time at your church, utilizing these resources. Ramadan 30-Day Prayer Guide Booklet – This can be purchased as a hard copy or PDF. Prayercast – A wonderful website with many videos on the Muslim world. If you sign up, you can receive daily prayer videos that also work great during a Sunday worship service to help raise awareness of the need for prayer for the Muslim world.
Show More