This article is in partnership with Day Translations.

Could you just pick up a new language by simply watching TikToks in that language?

Well, the jury is still out as it may not be this straightforward to learn and become fluent in a new language through consuming short video content, however this could be part of a wider learning strategy.

Beyond Language Content Creators

One thing you can do to help you acquire language skills is to follow content creators who specifically share language lessons on TikTok.

Choosing the right content to suit your needs can take a while because we all have different learning styles and preferences: some of us prefer more visual elements, others prefer to listen and repeat, then others want to see a lot of dynamic elements, maybe something like a walking tour that has movement in it.

There are many good language tutors on TikTok who teach about grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and also explain complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand. Most importantly, they know how to make things memorable, as memorising new information is essential in language learning.

However, you don’t need to just focus on structured online classes in TikTok: you could choose short but entertaining videos that provide some context and frequently used phrases in every day life.

Personally, I am finding watching TikTok Lives to be quite useful.

TikTok Live creators tend to use the same sentences to greet people who join their live streams, for example, so through repetition you end up learning these greetings.

My current “project”, if we may call it that way, is to refresh my knowledge of the German language. I did study it for four years at University, but I must admit I only remember a few words and I had forgotten most of the grammar.

Joining TikTok lives by German speaking creators allows me to listen to native speakers and I occasionally take the plunge and leave short comments in my very basic and rusty German.

Just this simple practice has allowed me to gain more confidence in my language skills, which I thought I had lost completely.

Of course, right now I could not conduct a business meeting in German or give a whole speech in German, but taking steps towards improving my language skills are producing tangible results. It’s about progress and not perfection.

Research Studies About TikTok as a Language Learning Tool

There are some studies available about the role of TikTok in language learning. One study by the International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Research from 2023 states that in the case of learners of English as a second language, TikTok has proved to be useful to acquire language skills and be exposed to real life uses of the language.

Here is a quote from this study:

“the findings suggest that TikTok can be an effective supplement to

traditional language learning methods, providing learners with a fun and engaging way to

develop their language skills.”

In fact, many language learners often express frustration at how languages are being taught at schools and other institutions, as the teaching is mostly focused on grammar and rules, and not enough on conversation and real life situations when you can apply what you have learned.

One advantage of the TikTok platform is that it gives users immediate access to a like-minded community, so language learners can compare notes and help each other.

While watching TikTok videos is not a replacement of either in person or online teaching, it can be a valid complement to it, especially when short form content is engaging and entertaining, making learning more memorable.

Photo by Florian Schmetz on Unsplash