Netflix, Apps or AI? CU Experts Share How to Master a Foreign Language Fast
Starting to learn a new foreign language this academic year? Modern technology offers innovative ways to get up to speed. We spoke to Dr Lizaveta Madej and recent graduate Ema Žugecová from the Department of Russian and East European Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Comenius University Bratislava, about effective learning methods and how tools like mobile apps, Netflix or artificial intelligence can help.
The basic rules
Dr Madej follows two golden rules in both teaching and self-study: “The first is to apply what you learn immediately, and the second is Repetitio est mater studiorum – repetition is the mother of learning. Whatever your level, use the language straight away and in any situation. Talk to yourself in the mirror, hold your phone to your ear and stage imaginary conversations on your way to school or work, role-play with classmates as foreigners in the city, think in the foreign language – anything that forces you to use it.”
Regularity is key, she adds: “Review your notes, go over vocabulary, test yourself, ask questions like: what do I remember about this topic, how many words can I list in one minute, how would I explain this grammar rule to a beginner? Learners often underestimate how essential repetition really is.”
Ema, who also had to start a new language from scratch, relies on a three-part formula: “a) set a goal – for example, note in your diary when you want to finish a textbook chapter, b) keep it regular, and c) use it actively. In practice this means: I set aside a few hours each week for the textbook, I open Duolingo every day, and while riding the tram I listen to podcasts. The brain loves consistency, not binge marathons.” Her advice: fall in love with your new language at first hearing.
A pocket classroom
Used selectively, social media like Instagram or Facebook, and news sites in a foreign language can also be helpful, says Madej. “Besides learning apps, I recommend having a reliable explanatory dictionary on your phone in addition to dedicated language learning apps, for meanings, grammar and usage examples. Word-of-the-day apps in different languages can also be useful. Among apps my students recommend are Babbel, Memrise and Rosetta Stone.”
Ema Žugecová, however, swears by a different approach: "The right apps can turn the phone into a pocket classroom. I recommend to set a timer, switch off notifications and stop yourself from drifting. Apps like Cram, Quizlet or Glosor are excellent for vocabulary - they use intelligent repetition systems that the brain loves. For those who like to read, I suggest Beelinguapp, which offers stories or song lyrics in parallel text. And the simultaneously beloved and maligned Duolingo? Sure, it’s not an all-in-one teacher, but it’s brilliant for building consistency. After all, we all want to keep that streak alive.”
The Netflix method
“The Netflix method works once you have some grasp of vocabulary and grammar. If you’re a complete beginner, watching Enrique Iglesias interviewed in Spanish won’t be very effective,” says Madej. “But language exposure is vital: not just for grammar and vocabulary, but also for prosodic features such as accent, rhythm, intonation and natural pauses.”
Ema, on the other hand, cautions against confusing evening relaxation with study: “Watching films or listening to podcasts immerses you in the culture, but you need to stay attentive if you want it to work as learning.”
Solo study or group classes?
“Studying alone has its appeal – you go at your own pace, with full flexibility, which is perfect for many introverts. Group courses, on the other hand, bring energy, motivation and the chance to learn not only from your own mistakes but also from others’,” says Ema. She recommends combining the two.
For Lizaveta Madej, it depends on personality, though she is not a fan of self-study for complete beginners: “You risk learning incorrectly with no one to correct you, and you may lose motivation and discipline, breaking the consistency and continuity needed to progress.”
The future with AI
Both experts from the Department of Russian and East European Studies agree: artificial intelligence will never fully replace a human teacher. But for language learning, ChatGPT can be a powerful ally.
“It can play the role of a conversation partner - a waiter in a café, for instance - create tailor-made exercises, explain tricky grammar in simple terms, and check texts with instant feedback. Unlike a tutor, it’s available 24/7 and never loses patience,” says Ema Žugecová.
“For teaching language disciplines such as translation and interpreting, ChatGPT is excellent for building thematic glossaries or extracting vocabulary from selected texts,” adds Madej, who uses AI to speed up her lesson preparation.
New tools worth noting
Lizaveta Madej notes: “A relatively popular tool today is TurboScribe, which allows you to transcribe video into text. You can then feed that transcript into ChatGPT and ask it to generate a bilingual glossary on a given topic. TurboScribe also accepts your own voice recordings in a foreign language – for instance, an improvised speech on ‘The Start of the School Year’ – which ChatGPT can then check for grammatical, lexical or stylistic errors. Step by step, this helps reduce your own mistakes."
Ema Žugecová mentions a technique from interpreting training: shadowing. “You listen to a recording and repeat the words almost simultaneously. It’s not just vocabulary practice, it’s about absorbing the rhythm, melody and intonation of the language. With regular practice, your speech sounds more natural. Keeping a short language diary also helps. Just three sentences a day are more useful than memorising a hundred isolated words.”
Tips and tricks
Žugecová’s favourite shortcut is mnemonics: “The funnier and sharper, the better. One of my favourites is a trick for Slovak grammar – the distinction between tvojím and tvojim (both meaning ‘yours’). For the singular form (tvojím), I picture a whole carrot shaped like an accent mark. For the plural form (tvojim), I slice the carrot into pieces, which resemble dots.”
Madej recommends what she calls “forced practice”: “I met my husband when I was teaching him Russian in a language school. According to him, the best textbook is a wife, because you’re forced to communicate in a natural setting. Of course, I don’t suggest marriage as a universal method, but it really is best to use a foreign language as much as possible, with anyone willing to help.”
Comenius University offers several language courses for students, staff and the public – more details can be found on the CU website. University members can also benefit from Erasmus+ placements and exchanges. For international students, registration is currently open for Slovak courses until 24 September 2025. More information is available here.
Vanessa Massayová