Acquiring the ability to speak another language is a praiseworthy achievement. Whether someone approaches the challenge for fun or profit, picking up a second language after college can be financially and academically challenging. It also takes time, which means juggling class schedules around full-time jobs.

But the silver lining is that professional people with responsible careers can learn to speak a tongue other than English. As long as they’re willing to put in the effort and set aside a modest amount of study time each day, there are no limits on the outcome. 

How do they get from Point A to Point B? First, it’s important to think about financing. Classes, tutors, and other types of instruction are not free. For so many learners who already hold college degrees, the single fastest way to make room in the budget is to refinance student loans. After resolving that side of the question, get ready to learn the basics via online study.

At some point, it will become necessary to decide whether to pursue total immersion, traditional in-person classes, or hire a private tutor. Note that a majority of learners team up with a co-learner who wishes to pick up English skills. Regardless of which route you select, beware of sleep learning scams that target eager students in every discipline. Here’s how to get started.

Refinance College Debt to Cover Expenses

Paying for specialized courses is easier when you can fit the costs into the monthly budget. Those who refinance student loan debt can instantly cut their recurring bills by a significant amount. The main benefit of refinancing education debt is that the borrower gets a new loan agreement.

Usually, working people can get better all-around terms that include not only lower monthly payments but advantageous interest rates, repayment periods, and other terms. Applying for a refi online takes just a few minutes, and applicants can find out how much they stand to save each month before proceeding.

Learning the Basics

The least costly way to learn the rudiments of a second language is to acquire the basics on your own, either in an online course or through recorded audio lessons. This approach is a low-cost or no-cost option for those who want to explore the possibilities before going further.

There are vast resources available online, with live classes or taped ones, for those who wish to speak Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, or Italian.

Total Immersion, In-Person Instruction

TI (total immersion) is a costly but effective learning method, but you need to live near a teaching center in a big city to take advantage of the best opportunities. Some TI centers feature language houses where students reside together in a kind of boot-camp atmosphere for a few days or weeks at a time.

If you can find a center near you, can afford the cost and have the time, TI can be the fastest way to learn the language of your choice.

Hiring a One-On-One Tutor

For centuries, students in every imaginable subject have taken their lessons from private tutors. In the digital age, people can meet via video and audio hookups with instructors anywhere on earth. Expect to pay much less for online tutors than for in-person ones. Whichever route you take with respect to tutoring, consider meeting at least once per week for the best results.

Find a Co-Learner

Teaming up with a conversation partner is a cheap and excellent way to learn. Check local online ads or join a discussion group to find partners in your city. Meet in public places, like coffee shops or libraries, where you can socialize and exchange language learning with another person.

In the US, it’s usually easy to find partners who are fluent in French or Spanish and who wish to enhance their English conversational ability.

Avoid Sleep Learning Scams

Before embarking on your new educational journey, be aware that there are a few scammers out there who prey on eager students. Their main gimmick nowadays is selling sleep learning products, primarily audio recordings.

Not only are the products ineffective, which is discouraging, but they are also quite costly. If you see anything with the word sleep in the title and its seller promises quick fluency in any language or effortless study, avoid it.