Are you learning a new language and want more fun ways to practice?
Try switching things up by using children’s materials! Here are a few easy ways to get started.
💥 Comic books
Comic books are an excellent choice for language learners because they come with visuals that show what’s happening! They also often include sound effects (like POW! or BANG!), which helps you match vocabulary to imagery.
Another great advantage of comic books is that they usually focus on dialogue, so you’re not faced with long blocks of text. And by seeing how comic characters talk to each other, you can pick up different ways of addressing people.
If you’re eager to read a comic in a new language, here’s some good news: They’re probably available in the language you're learning!
| Language | Title |
|---|---|
| English | Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield |
| French | Asterix, Lucky Luke, Spirou et Fantasio, Tintin |
| German | Fix und Foxi |
| Japanese | Chi’s Sweet Home, Polar Bear Cafe, Yotsuba&! |
| Korean | College Diary, Lookism, Swimming Class for Mermaids |
| Spanish | Mafalda |
| Telugu | Chandamama Kathalu |
If you’re lucky enough to have an international bookstore nearby, try browsing there. Otherwise, you may want to try your local library—some have foreign-language children’s sections. And if all else fails, you can probably find some options online.
🐛 Children’s books
Books geared toward elementary school kids are great for new learners of any age. They contain simple grammar paired with pictures of what is happening, and their storylines are typically pretty straightforward.
If you’re looking for more of a challenge, try chapter books for middle-school-aged kids. They have longer text but are still written in easy-to-understand language and often include some pictures. These can be especially helpful if you re-read a book you already know! Being familiar with the characters and the story allows you to fully focus on learning new words and grammar.
The language in these books is also usually more similar to how people actually talk, unlike in older classics. Plus, the chapters are short, so you can read without getting too mentally fatigued. And it feels great knowing you’ve read a full-length book in your target language!
Bonus tip: Reading children’s books from a country where your target language is spoken can also help you learn more about the culture—an essential part of language learning.
📺 Cartoons
Children’s cartoons typically have simple plots, making it easy to follow what’s happening even if you don’t understand every word. And if you watch familiar cartoons dubbed into your target language, you already know the story!
You can watch cartoons with or without subtitles, depending on which skills you want to practice. Either way, watching children’s TV can be a way to learn the language without making it feel like a chore.
🎼 Music
Children’s songs—like alphabet songs or sing-alongs—can help you get familiar with a new alphabet and beginner-friendly vocabulary. Maybe you remember a song from a kids' movie you used to watch (like The Lion King’s Hakuna Matata or The Little Mermaid’s Under the Sea). Try listening to it in your target language while reading the lyrics. Since these songs are catchy, you probably won’t be able to get it out of your head, cementing the words into your brain!
Eventually you can move up to more mainstream songs. These can teach you all kinds of things—grammar (both simple and advanced), common expressions, slang, and bits of cultural knowledge. Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered! Check out our playlists for learners of English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish.
Your next chapter starts here
With all the stresses of adult life, why not bring back your inner child to help you learn? Using children’s materials can be a great way to find your footing in a new language. And before you know it, they’ll be too easy, and you’ll be on the hunt for something more challenging!