How To Use Excel As A Language Learning Tool

Spreadsheet programs like Excel can be helpful to many language learners. Not sure how? Here are some ideas.

Use it to keep track of vocabulary items you memorize. You can put a word or phrase in one column, and its accompanying meaning in the next column. That way, you’ll have a quick reference to check when trying to brush up on vocabulary items you’ve previously gone over.
Use it to record important phrases. You can use Excel to compile foreign language phrases that you are likely to use often. Just list down the phrase in one column, the translation in your native language in another and, if you have an audio file of the phrase (we recommend recording yourself), embed it in the column next to that.
Use it to plan your language lessons. Excel’s tabular format works great for planning your lessons and practice in blocks of time. It’s easy to tag when you’ve accomplished a step, too, as well as when you’ve skipped one.
Use it as a flash card. Put a foreign phrase in the first column, the translation in the second and hide the second. Then, highlight a line and guess what the translation in your native tongue is. Checking can be as simple as unhiding the column. You can then use the rest of the columns to track how well you’ve learned each phrase.