I’m sure most language B students will have been told at some point to do “10 minutes of work a day” for their subject. I’m also sure that this either doesn’t happen or isn’t enough time to be beneficial. Because of this, I have collected a bunch of advice for those of us that do stuff like look at a dictionary and pray before a writing on how to actually hone your Language B skills outside of class. This is only advice and will not be possible or a good fit for everyone, but its basis is universal; you need to build an understanding of how you work and what you are working for.
In order to design a stable but flexible system, you need to set goals. These goals should be both long and short term. For example, a short term goal could be learning unit vocabulary for a test (not in a Quizlet speedrun way) whereas long term goals could be improving grammar in past tense. This makes learning your language more tangible and less overwhelming, counteracting two factors that make learning difficult for students.
In terms of how to work, the best path to success is through immersing yourself in the language and culture. As a testament to the importance of immersion, I picked up German way faster when I lived in Germany than French in an English classroom. However, given this is in the context of Language B, being in the country isn’t possible. Still, you can surround yourself with language in your daily life through media and culture. Research into music, films, news and books. These things will give you vocabulary as well as cultural context (especially important for the oral). Doing these things may not feel like “work”, but it provides a combination of break and work that you will be grateful for - I promise. There are also baby steps like labelling items with sticky notes in the language so you encounter the vocabulary a lot or setting your phone to be in the language you are learning.
Also, given that IB schools are often international schools, you may be able to find someone to yap with like a native speaker or a same-language student. You can also use exchange apps like Tandem, italki or HelloTalk or local community groups. Yapping is essential for development of skills and forming language.
Similarly, if you learn better with technology, there are also other platforms like Babbel or Duolingo (it will teach you phrases like “the carpet doesn’t talk” but I'm including it so Duo doesn’t come for me). You can also do short-specific courses like ones on EdX or Coursera. These courses tend to be more specific and delve into outside textbook grammar and vocabulary and add a layer of cultural nuance. Some courses are based on linguistic languages or areas like pronunciation, business French or advanced German grammar.
One thing you should always do is practice writing to enhance your language skills. Start a notebook/journal in your language B where you write entries. Make sure to vary the form to account for the many text types you can be asked to write in. Or, just simply create outlines which will help you create them in the first minutes of any exam. Over time, this will allow you to feel more comfortable with writing and will exercise your grammar and vocab.
To create your schedule, you need to account for repeated practice. I suggest 20 minutes after class and another 20 before to maximise retention and actually do something with your time while not taking too much of it. Also, although it may be taxing, focus on your weaker areas when possible so you can celebrate your achievements more! Also, people have a tendency to remember corrections better after a mistake so, although it may be hard, there are positives to making mistakes.
Some other (less accessible options) consist of going travelling to the country or a language camp for true immersion in your language and an opportunity for support from native speakers. Similarly, you could consider tutoring because tutored can provide personalised guidance tailored to you and connect your mistakes in real time. You can find well selected and significantly less expensive tutors on RevisionDojo (we take no commission)!
In conclusion, immersing yourself in the language and culture, setting clear goals, and practising consistently are key to success. By integrating this advice into your routine, you’ll find that language homework becomes more enjoyable. If you remain patient and persistent language acquisition will come much more easily and every step brings you closer to fluency. Persistence and practical strategies will help you overcome challenges and improve your language skills. Start implementing these tips today and see how your language learning journey transforms. Please share your experiences and tips with others to build a supportive learning community.
