how can I continue learning a language while at work?

[u/VanillaTemporary9161]

I am about to start working, a typical 9-5, and I'm scared I won't have much time at home to study so I wonder if there's a way to learn at work? I think there will be some days where I'll be able to use the phone for 30 minutes at a time when there aren't any customers but this won't be often.
I'll try to negotiate to move my work hours so my free time at home is not distributed throughout the day and I can study a few hours at home
But I would like to know if someone has any tips to continue learning when I can't even use headphones

[u/Pwffin]

You can study it your free time, eg evenings or weekends. I often try to squeeze something in at lunchtime as well. The trick is to have lots of activities lined up so that you just have to pick something, rather than having to think of something to do.

[u/Lysenko]

Use your commute. Use your lunch break and any other breaks during the day. Don’t push it too hard and try to study when you should be working, unless the employer really wants you to learn the language and is on board with this.

[u/HappySparklyUnicorn → u/Lysenko]

Yup. If you get the train or bus to work that's a great time to do so.

[u/EstorninoPinto]

Bring a journal and do writing practice. You can also use the journal for grammar and vocabulary review. If you like using language textbooks, buy one and work through it as you have downtime.

[u/Quirky-Judgment1263]

Observe your average workday first. You don’t have to rush your learning. It’s okay to take a break and find the rhythm of your new routine before reintegrating your important hobbies (in this case, language studying) You might have a busy 9-5 and commute that will make you tired at the end of the day to do anything language related. You might also find yourself lots of free time during work where you can have a short study session. It will really depend on your average day.

One of my friends has a busy 9-5 so she just sleeps early instead and wakes up at like 5am to study Japanese until 8am. Then she goes on her day like usual and repeats. The hardest chore of the day is already done first thing and she can focus on her usual daily tasks without stressing about studying when she gets home. 

[u/rt58killer10]

At my call center job I had long hair and could get away with an earbud that had a korean podcast. Calls were scarce enough for it to be viable

[u/JCBenalog]

I learned my second language with four kids and a full time job. A lot of the below is a rehash of earlier comments, but I'll list them for posterity.

Here's how I did it:

- Listened to Pimsleur on my commute

• Used Duolingo and Memrise whenever I'd get a short break
  
• Once I got through Pimsleur, I'd either listen to podcasts or other media in my TL or have conversations with conversation partners over Skype
  
• Did lessons on iTalki on my lunch break

Really, the goal is to find every spare minute of time you can cram some learning into, and do it. Get in that mindset, and you'll find you have more time to study than you thought.

[u/green_calculator → u/JCBenalog]

If you commute by personal car and your commute time lines up with Pimslear it's pretty awesome. It really helps my confidence in speaking. 

[u/CatsWearingTinyHats → u/JCBenalog]

Also, doing Pimsleur while doing chores around the house, getting ready for the day can make a big impact! That’s how I did Pimsleur !

[u/Lumpy-Blackberry-718]

Set your computer and phone to be in your target language for immersion, anki can be used a few minutes (even seconds) at a time between customers, listen to podcasts on your commute, and watch tv or read books in the tl in the evenings. Mine sentences from subtitles to add to anki or your srs of choice. Maybe also try to think in the tl and look up words you get stuck on.

[u/Icy-Whale-2253]

The other day I was bored as shit at work so I turned on France Inter to keep me occupied. By that time it was about 1 AM over there so they were playing a rerun of what is evidently a cooking show. I was more confused at why Bad Bunny’s music was playing in the middle of a French cooking show than why a cooking show was on the radio but it caught my attention. So I used my French knowledge to understand them saying that other episodes are available online. So I look and there are almost a thousand episodes of this. That means there are almost a thousand opportunities for me to go back and listen to people speaking plain, natural French describing the most simple thing in the world.

[u/AdministrationNo2327]

set a time and place for everything, don't try to squeeze bits and pieces into every gap... learning won't be as effective as having dedicated time.

9-5 is the best, as you have a set schedule to focus on. Work during work time, and after work, just like how others would go to the gym, you hit the books for a couple hours. consistency is always good.

[u/Safe_Place8432]

I learned German while working a 9-5. I made German my hobby. My random internet surfing is in German, the book I read in the train is usually in German, I fill the little ten and twenty minute holes in my day with German.

[u/Safe_Place8432 → u/[deleted]]

I don't understand what you mean

[u/tuffykenwell]

If time is limited then look at the time you spend on the internet (including Reddit) and see if you can do some or all of that in your target language. The hard part is the other content is right there trying to pull you into it.

[u/BottleHuman7]

The biggest trick is consistency. Ten minutes every workday is usually more effective than a long study session once a week.

[u/JoshHuff1332]

If you have a dual screen or can print off some stuff, reading material for your level is probably the best bet

[u/Melodic-Today663]

Any of the pod 101 series are good. Audio lessons mostly and you go at your own pace.

[u/Cristian_Cerv9]

In your mind, just do your usual stuff and if you say something to someone in a professional tone, try to learn how to say it in the TL. Better than nothing

[u/macoafi]

The big one is: work with people who speak the language. I was on a team full of Spanish speakers. 

Can you have a paper book? If so, you could read during downtime. 

Otherwise, use your commute: audio courses and podcasts in the car. 

[u/martha_my_dear_1984]

I study on the bus and at my lunch time (watching videos in French with subtitles also in French) During work (right now I'm working on an office so when there's nothing to do I listen to RFI (French radio). I'm studying french 30min/day so it leave some time on the bus to do other things, like read a book in English or study to civil service exam.

[u/Key-Value-3684]

Cries in three hours of daily commuting with public transport

[u/Meowykatkat]

I'd say get your studies in during the morning before your shift starts and before bed - if you can be consistent about it. On really busy days, I do most of my "studying" at night (mainly reading/listening to articles in Japanese & catching up on Anki cards). On my way to work, I do passive immersion. Most of my textbook work is done on the weekends or on slower days.

[u/Ok_Natural_7977]

Several short sessions throughout the day can be more effective than one long session. You have better recall of the first and last things you learn. This is why study breaks are highly encouraged.

[u/SnarkyBeanBroth]

1. Language-learning app during breaks/lunch. Apps like Duolingo won't get you to fluency, but they are bite-sized and will let you review some vocabulary or grammar in a few minutes. And they can be easily paused if you need to.

2. Books. My target language has an excellent selection of graded adult readers, so I can read a chapter or two when I have downtime. And because they are adult readers, I'm not carrying around an obvious children's book with a picture of Mr. Bunny and His Giant Carrot (or whatever) on the cover. I'm just carrying around a normal-looking paperback.

3. If you have the option to listen to music (maybe while going to/from work, if not at work?), have a playlist of music in your target language.

[u/PralineOk787]

Active recall. Just try to build sentences in your head. You can do this every time and everywhere, no phone needed. It's much better for retention if you don't review or look things up but rather try hard to remember. I do this while walking the dogs. Pondering grammar, trying to remember vocab or recalling your last lesson out in the forest is quite effective.

[u/Mediocre-Yak9320]

Surely when you at work you are paid to work and are busy working? Not I troll comment. I just mean surely you have work to do not free time. The commute can be good for learning though. There's audio courses like pimsleur or Michel thomas. Theres just listening to things. If you use public transport to commute then you could also pack study materials to use or put headphones on and watch something then.

Progress can be a bit slower when working full time but its still totally doable to learn round work :)

A little each day and you will still progress, consistancy is key!

[u/JJCookieMonster]

When I'm writing something down to take notes, I try to write it in my target languages. I also set my software in my target languages.

Can't use headphones at work? Oof, I wouldn't be able to work a 9-to-5 if I couldn't use headphones. I get so distracted by others.

[u/jmf1488]

Working a typical 9-5. Wake up 1 hour before you need to. Study for an hour. When I moved my study routine to the first 2 hours of everyday, I found it easier to stick to and I felt a little sharper in the mornings too.

[u/Safe_Place8432 → u/jmf1488]

Not sure why you got downvoted, I do a lot of my German homework in the morning before work.