Posted 2 days ago
Mon 17 Nov, 2025 10:11 AM
Talk the Talk: Learning Languages On & Off Campus
University is an amazing time to embrace all kinds of learning, especially in a place as multicultural & diverse as LSE. With prospects ranging from a year abroad, boosting your CV skills section, to picking up your friend's native language for fun. Where else can I learning languages be as accessible?
Personally, learning Chinese alongside my other studies has really enriched my time so far at LSE and let me get to know so many more people of different ages and courses!
Of course, everyone's timetables and commitments are different, so here are some great options to consider, no matter how busy your schedule is shaping up to be.
A picture taken at a Language Centre restaurant outing to Covent Garden!
In person:
1. The LSE Language Community
The LSE Language Community has a plethora of ways to practise languages, click on this Moodle link to find out more on:
| Conversation Circles | Join relaxed discussion groups, guided by a volunteer native -> participants and volunteer facilitators welcome! |
| Tandem Learning | Partner with another language learner to exchange language skills & practice speaking to each other. |
| Improvisation Sessions | -> offered in English & Spanish, improve your speaking & listening through creative improv games & activities. |
| Bitesize Speaking | Get involved in 15 minute 1-1 speaking sessions with another volunteer! |
| Language Gateway | Your one-stop access point for online language-learning resources -> search by language, explore learning strategies, digital tools & online study tips, all through the resource d |
For more up-to-date info and great content, follow @lselanguages here!
2. Joining Cultural Societies
University is the perfect time to embrace more communities, and even better, grants the opportunity to practice or perfect a new language!
With 79 national and culture societies at LSE to choose from, there will surely be something appealing to you!
Personally, last year I was part of ABACUS and the LSE Spanish Society to both improve my language skills and get further acquainted with their respective cultural traditions.
Browse below for the full list:
Apps & Virtual Tools:
1. Duolingo (of course it had to make this list! 🦉)
No language-learning list would be complete without this infamous, chronically-online green owl. Duolingo is great for regular and quick daily practice -> perfect for revising vocab on your university commute, or in between lectures.
The streak system can be both your biggest motivator and worst enemy 😶🌫️ but it's a fun way to regularly practice & progress with language learning. Just don't the owl guilt-trip you too hard!
2. Busuu, Babble, Memrise, Falou, Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur
These free apps also offer structured lessons, with grammar explanations, pronunciation drills & conversation exercises. Like Duolingo, practice can be done online anytime and anywhere. See which style works best for you . . .
- Busuu & Babbel: great for short pratical lessons & grammar tips
- Memrise: excellent for vocab & authentic video clips with native speakers
- Falou: focuses on real-world speaking practice -> handy for travel or exchange!
- Rosetta Stone & Pimsleur: are classics for full-immersion audio learning, perfect if you want to progress from step-by-step translating, to thinking in your chosen language.
Immersive Extras:
1. Podcasts & Books
Podcasts are a great way to learn on the go -> whilst working to class, cooking, cleaning or pacing in the library for a seat. For a range of levels & overarching stories, I would recommend Duolingo's diverse podcast series! On the Podcast app or Spotify there is an infinite range for all interests and levels.
As for books, children's story classics & translated novels are a super helpful and immersive entry point, before diving into original, advanced texts.
2. TV shows & Films in the target language
Watching your favourite genres in your target language is an amazing way to boost fluency and really enjoy the process of language-learning. With all kinds of dramas, sitcoms, reality shows available to binge, I would definitely recommend asking a native friend or teacher for the best recommendations!
My trip to see Shakespeare’s Macbeth, starring David Tennant, a great way to get re-immersed in English Literature and performance!
3. Theatre productions
London is an excellent and diverse place to check out theatre performances in your target language. For instance, I had an amazing time watching Lorca's La Casa de Bernarda Alba at the Cervantes Theatre! It's an incredible way to experience culture & history through passionate storytelling.
4. Other media -> News sites, YouTube & More
Staying connected with current events and online creators in your chosen language is a superb way to progress even more, boosting fluency and authentic exposure. Reading news sites or watching YouTubers exposes you to how natives really speak, approach topics -> slang, idioms, jokes and all.
So, whether you're picking up a new language to boost your CV, chat with friends from across the world, or want to challenge yourself, LSE and other media types offer endless ways to make it happen, both on & off campus.
Talk the talk, make mistakes, and laugh about them. Keep persevering, as you never know where a new language may take you!
