Hello!

My name is Joe, and I’m on a journey to become fluent in both German and Spanish. I’ve been studying German on and off for several years, but recently, I’ve committed to taking it more seriously—while also beginning the exciting adventure of learning Spanish from scratch.

In this post, I want to share the physical tools, software, and apps that have helped me along the way—and which ones I reach for depending on the task. Everyone learns differently, but I hope this gives you some helpful ideas to use in your own language learning journey.

1. Notebook and Pen: The Writing Classics

When I first started learning German in college, I bought a basic spiral notebook and grabbed a pen. Simple—but not ideal. The ink often bled through, and the pages wore out fast.

Recently, I upgraded to a Paperpage hardcover notebook. It’s slightly more expensive, but the thicker pages and sturdy cover make a big difference. Since I write a lot in the target language, having a durable notebook feels like a small investment in long-term success. It also creates a sense of commitment—I’m not just dabbling anymore.

Also: get a pen you like. Seriously. Writing with a pen you enjoy makes everything smoother. I currently use the Sharpie S-Gel 0.7mm, which is affordable and glides nicely.

2. YouTube & Spotify: Learn from Real Speakers

YouTube and Spotify have been indispensable tools for learning. The Easy Languages YouTube channel is one of my favorites for real conversations with subtitles. I also enjoy channels like @BulgarianPod101, especially their playlist of 300 essential phrases—I’m learning these to be a more polite and prepared guest when I visit Bulgaria later this year.

On Spotify, I follow podcasts in my target language. It’s a great way to practice active listening, even while doing chores or going for a walk. Hearing natural prosody—the rhythm and melody of the language—has helped me improve my comprehension immensely.

3. Apps: Great for Starting, Not for Everything

Like many, I’ve chased the thrill of keeping my Duolingo streak alive, even with just a few minutes before midnight. I actually still have a yearly family membership—thanks to forgetting to cancel the free trial (despite the reminders from Duolingo). But having unlimited hearts makes it less stressful, especially when exploring a new language.

Duolingo plays like a game and is fantastic for beginners, but I don’t rely on it alone. It’s great for exposure, but not as effective for writing or speaking. Pair it with real conversation practice, writing exercises, or grammar explanations.

Key Strengths: Grammar drills, beginner-friendly, has a free version.

I’ve also used Rosetta Stone, especially before trips to Germany and Portugal. It helped me memorize useful phrases through visual association, and I recently started their Turkish course (1 lesson a day!) in preparation for an upcoming trip.

Key Strengths: Phrase memorization, strong emphasis on speaking, image-word pairing.

4. ChatGPT: My Language Learning Assistant

If the internet made self-study accessible, ChatGPT made it efficient. I use it for everything from generating vocab lists and grammar explanations to practicing dialogue and writing emails in my target language.

Want 50 travel-related words? Need help with the dative case in German? Or a short dialogue for checking into a hotel? ChatGPT has your back.

That said, AI can’t replace real human interaction. To build confidence, you still need to talk with real people. Nothing replaces the value of conversation, even if it’s awkward at first.

Strengths: Organization, explanations, conversation prompts, flexibility.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, your tools are just that—tools. What matters most is how often and how creatively you use them. Whether you prefer physical notebooks, immersive podcasts, language apps, or AI helpers, choose the mix that helps you stay consistent and curious.

What are your favorite tools? Let me know in the comments—I’m always looking to try something new!