Learn Polish: best learning method

Thinking about learning Polish? Polish has a reputation for being tough, but it is not unachievable. In this guide, you’ll get practical tips, learning strategies, and motivation to help you start and keep going. Ready to turn dzień dobry into real conversations? Let’s go!

Why Polish?

Polish is one of the most widely spoken Slavic languages, with over 50 million speakers worldwide. The language goes far beyond Poland’s borders. Large Polish-speaking communities can be found in countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and even the United States, where it’s spoken by hundreds of thousands of people. So whether you're in Warsaw, Chicago, or London, learning Polish gives you access to a truly global community.

Besides the fact that you can gain 50 million new friends, there are endless more reasons for you to learn Polish:

• Expanding your job opportunities
• Travelling will be easier and more fun
• The possibility to work in Polish companies
• Expanding your social network
• Immersing yourself in the Polish culture
• Cognitive advantages
• It’s an asset on your resume
• Access to other Slavic languages

5 things you didn’t know about the Polish language

1. 32 letters in the alphabet: Polish is written with the Latin alphabet, but don’t be surprised if you come across some unfamiliar characters. The Polish alphabet has 32 letters, thanks to several unique additions to better represent the sounds of the language. You’ll encounter letters with special accents, called diacritics, such as Ą, Ć, Ę, Ł, Ń, Ó, Ś, Ź, and Ż.
2. Polish orthography: Polish uses 7 digraphs (CH, CZ, DZ, DŹ, DŻ, RZ, SZ) and one trigraph (DZI). 
3. Consonant clusters: In Polish, letters and digraphs often come together to form consonant clusters, groups of several consonant sounds packed tightly into a single word. You might find four or even five consonants in a row, which can definitely put your pronunciation (and patience) to the test.
4. 7 grammatical cases: Polish nouns change their form depending on their role in a sentence. Take the word dom (house). Depending on the sentence, it can become domu, domem, do domu, and more. It’s one word, but with seven possible forms.
5. Diminutives: Almost any word can be made cuter or more affectionate with a simple change of ending. This isn’t just for kids, adults use diminutives all the time to express warmth, closeness, or even politeness in everyday conversation.

So… How tough is Polish?

I admit, after reading all this, it’s not the most motivating start to learning Polish. It is considered to be one of the most challenging languages to learn in the world. How cool would it be to say you’ve mastered one of the world’s hardest languages? And luckily, despite the challenges, Polish does have its easier sides too:

• Accent: Polish doesn’t use tones or other intimidating features. The stress almost always falls on the second-to-last syllable, which makes pronunciation much more predictable.
• Phonetic language: Once you get the hang of the alphabet, most words are pronounced just as they’re written.
• Fewer verb tenses: Polish doesn’t have as many verb tenses as languages like English or Spanish. You won’t have to deal with complex constructions like “I would have been going.” Once you master the present, past, and future, you’ve already covered most of what you need.
• Flexible sentence structure: Word order is more flexible thanks to the use of cases. That means you don’t always have to follow a strict subject-verb-object structure. As long as the word endings are correct, your sentence still makes sense.

Tips and tricks to learn Polish

Learning a new language can be overwhelming and difficult. But it doesn’t have to be! With the following tips and tricks, you’ll be ready to start your learning journey.

Build a personal learning plan

Many beginners make the mistake of simply jumping without a plan. While enthusiasm is great, it often leads to frustration if your Polish lessons don’t match your level or address your specific challenges. That’s why the first step to learning Polish effectively is creating a plan that’s made for you.

At coLanguage, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Every student is different, not only in level, but also in time, goals, and motivation. Our teachers guide you, periodically measure your progress and adapt your learning plan.

Immerse yourself in the Polish culture

Learning Polish is more effective when you experience the culture behind the language. Polish culture is rich in traditions, music, food, and regional expressions, which helps bring the language to life.

How to immerse yourself:

• Listen to Polish music, podcasts, or audiobooks daily.
• Watch Polish movies or series with subtitles.
• Read Polish stories or newspapers
• Cook traditional Polish recipes and learn cultural vocabulary.
• Practice with native speakers in real-life scenarios.

Language immersion connects you to the Polish-speaking world, making learning more natural and enjoyable.

Immersion recommendations

• Polish series: High Water, Hold Tight, Blinded by the Lights, The King of Warsaw
• Polish newspapers: Gazeta Wyborcza, Czytaj po polsku, Polskie Radio, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna
• Polish podcasts: Płynnie po polsku, Polski Daily, Swojski język polski: Learn Polish podcast, Prosty Polski Podcast
• Polish books: Pan Samochodzik i tajemnica tajemnic, Nursery Rhymes, Lalka

Speak as much as possible

It may feel intimidating at first, but speaking is one of the most powerful ways to truly learn a language. While grammar exercises and vocabulary lists have their place, real progress happens when you put the language into practice, especially in real conversations.

Why? Because language isn’t just about memorizing rules. It’s about connecting. It’s about being understood, reacting in the moment, and feeling confident enough to try, make mistakes, and improve.

At coLanguage, conversation isn’t a “bonus”, it’s the core of what we do. Our conversation classes are designed to simulate real-life situations, so you can learn by doing, not just studying. We believe in social learning, because it keeps you motivated, accountable, and engaged.

And yes! You can start speaking even if you're a beginner. We use practical sentence patterns, easy vocabulary, and repeatable formats to help you build confidence step by step. The sooner you speak, the sooner you’ll feel like you're actually learning the language.

Learn with a teacher

While apps and textbooks can help, learning Polish with a professional teacher offers structure and support that self-study often lacks.

Benefits of learning with a teacher

• Personalized feedback to improve pronunciation and accuracy
• Guidance in practical situations like travel or work conversations
• Customized learning plans tailored to your level and goals
• Teachers can answer questions about grammar
• Regular speaking practice to build fluency

At coLanguage, we select experienced and professional teachers to guide you in the conversation classes. With experienced teachers and flexible online classes, you can progress consistently and confidently.

Consistency is key

Consistency is key when it comes to language learning. It’s important to dedicate small, regular chunks of time to practice every day. Even 15 to 30 minutes per day can make a huge difference over time.

Tips for staying consistent

• Read short articles, stories, or news in Polish
• Listen to Polish music or podcasts while commuting or during breaks
• Practice speaking with a teacher or language partner daily

Survival Polish for beginners

Before diving into the complexities of Polish, it’s helpful to learn some survival words and phrases that will help you navigate everyday situations with ease.

• Dzień dobry: Good morning
• Proszę: Please
• Dziękuję: Thank you
• Przepraszam: Excuse me / Sorry
• Ile to kosztuje?: How much does it cost?
• Nie mówię po polsku: I don’t speak Polish
• Nie rozumiem: I don’t understand
• Tak: Yes
• Nie: No

Official guidelines

Our learning materials are aligned with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and include audio and video lessons, interactive exercises, and PDF handouts with clear lesson notes, all designed to support your progress step by step.

Start learning with coLanguage

Our approach is designed to keep you engaged, motivated, and on track. This way you can reach fluency without feeling overwhelmed. 

Here's how we do it:

• Personalized guidance from experienced teachers
• Clear and structured course plan following official language guidelines
• Practical conversation classes
• Flexibility in lesson format and timing
• Short supportive revision materials for reinforcement

Each CEFR level at coLanguage consists of 6 modules and can be completed in 1-2 months. You’ll learn 800 new words per level, covering key vocabulary, grammar, and real-world dialogue. 

We make sure you’re not only learning the language but also ready to prove your skills with a recognized certificate. Whether you're aiming for the DELE, SIELE, or another certification, we ensure you have the tools to succeed.

Don’t wait any longer and start your learning journey with coLanguage! Sign up and start today!