Best Foreign Language Magazines To Have Fun Learning Languages
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Foreign language magazines are one of my favorite resources to learn a language. Why? Well, because they combine our passions – travel, culture, and language. You’ll learn a lot about the countries, where the languages are spoken, and their places to visit.
What is more, these magazines focus on languages and will help you learn them for travel. The texts are written in a simple language that is suitable for beginner learners. They also give you extra features like vocabulary windows with specific vocabulary from the text and make you understand it and learn it. These magazines contain some comprehension exercises so that you can double-check whether you have understood the articles.
Today, I have the 10 best foreign language magazines to make your language learning a lot of fun.
List of The Best Foreign Language Magazines
Here is an overview of the 10 best foreign language magazines:
- Read & Think ‘Language’ (available in Spanish, French, & Italian)
- Vamos Magazine (Spanish)
- Chicos Magazine (Spanish)
- C’Est Facile Magazine (French)
- Mome Magazine (French)
- Azzurro Magazine (Italian)
- Ciao Italia Magazine (Italian)
- Deutsch Perfect (German)
- Fertig…Los Magazine
- Kinder Magazine
Before jumping into actual magazines and their contents, I would like to tell you why magazines are so beneficial and how we can learn a language with them.
Why Are Foreign Language Magazines So Beneficial?
First of all, because they talk about interesting topics. You can learn a lot of vocabulary without even noticing it. They contain many cool features that’ll make you learn the language.
And what is the best part of it all? You’ll be reading about travel, interesting culture, and traditions of the places. You’ll get excited about your trip to that country, which will boost your language learning process.
Also, you get the chance to practice 3 language skills at the same time: reading, listening, and vocabulary. It’s perfect reading material for beginners, too.
How To Work With Magazines?
You can take a highlighter and mark words you want to learn. Translate the vocabulary you highlighted. Then come back to the text another day, and reread it, trying to understand those highlighted words in a context. After, you can record yourself reading the text and listen to it another day.
You can make vocabulary walls out of texts inside magazines. Cut interesting parts, language windows, or small texts from which you want to learn vocabulary, and put them on your wall. Or you can take a notebook and glue those magazine parts into it.
And you can also create flashcards with images. Let’s say there is a cool image of a building or something that you like. Cut this image, write a separate word related to that image, and play a pexeso with it.
Ideas To Learn A Language With Foreign Language Magazines
There are several ways for how to use magazines to learn a language. Just get creative:
- Use highlighter & mark words you want to learn.
- Reread the same text the next day and see if you remember new vocabulary.
- Record yourself while reading the text & listen to it after.
- Create vocabulary walls.
- Cut interesting parts of the magazine (texts, pictures) & glue them into your language notebook.
- Create flashcards with words & images from the magazine.
- Play pexeso with these flashcards.
In this article, I’ve picked various foreign language magazines that’ll introduce you to the best spots of the countries, so get some inspiration for your travels.
More importantly, they’ll encourage you to learn your foreign language. The’re suitable to beginner & intermediate learners of these languages: Spanish, French, Italian, and German.
Highlight some vocabulary on your own and then write it into your Language Travel Notebook to learn it.
1. READ & THINK ‘LANGUAGE’
Read & Think ‘Language’ is the best language magazine to learn Spanish, French, or Italian. Just replace the word ‘Language’ with the actual language you want to learn (in this case, Spanish, Italian, or French).
This reading material is perfect for beginners & intermediate learners. You’ll learn a lot of vocabulary, but not only that. Read & Think Language magazines are also called audio magazines because they include audio. This is amazing as you can be reading and, at the same time, listening to the recorded audio.
So you’ll be working on two language skills at once – reading and also listening.
Learn Vocabulary
Each page contains a bilingual glossary of words, so you don’t have to constantly look for these unfamiliar words in a dictionary. You have these on the next page so you can understand the text more easily. This will save a lot of time for you. Now with their new premium edition, you can even get flashcards, which are accessible online.
Get the ‘Language Lab App’
Download the ‘Language Lab App’ by Mc Graw Hill on your phone, and choose the magazine edition you’ve bought. Inside the app, you’ll get audio recordings for the texts, as well as flashcards.
I currently learn Italian with Read & Think Italian and constantly use this app to listen to the audio. It helps me to get the pronunciation right. After, I reread the text correctly, trying to remember the words. I also listen to the recordings when going to a shop or on a walk. This helps me to memorize words even better.
Get To Know Countries & Their Cultures Before Traveling
Not only will you be able to learn a lot of these languages by reading them and listening to their audio. You’ll also get to know so much about countries where these languages are spoken.
For instance, you’ll read about Patagonia, natural wonders, Spanish traditions, typical music, history, and the tradition of tobacco production in Latin America. Or read about the eternal city (Rome) and its coffee culture. There are tons of interesting topics.
READ & THINK ITALIAN
Read & Think Italian will introduce you to authentic Italian life. You will get to know Italian’s coffee culture, various festivals, and famous personalities from Italy. It’ll also give you some insights into Italian history and gastronomy.
With more than 100 articles inside the issue, you’ll learn a lot of Italian vocabulary. They also have comprehension exercises for you to test your understanding and work with new vocabulary. Plus, you can be looking forward to audio records and listen to almost all articles. So once you read them and practice the vocabulary, you can listen to them on the way to work or school.
READ & THINK SPANISH
Read & Think Spanish will bring the Hispanic culture to your home. You’ll get to eat tapas, learn about their evolution, walk on Cuba’s white-sand beaches, or learn more about famous soccer players.
With more than 100 articles inside the issue, you’ll learn a lot of Spanish vocabulary. They also have comprehension exercises for you to test your understanding and work with new vocabulary. In addition, you can be looking forward to audio records and listen to almost all articles. So once you read them and practice the vocabulary, you can listen to them on the way to work or school.
READ & THINK FRENCH
Immerse yourself into the French culture and life with Read & Think French. You’ll learn a lot about French gastronomy and famous personalities. Its articles will also take you on a guided tour through French cities and famous places such as Paris or Marseille. Learn about French traditions, music, and history all within one magazine issue.
With more than 100 articles inside the issue, you’ll learn a lot of French vocabulary. They also have comprehension exercises for you to test your understanding and work with new vocabulary. In addition, you can be looking forward to audio records to listening to almost all articles. So once you read them and practice the vocabulary, you can listen to them on the way to work or school.
Read & Think Language magazines are excellent reading material because you are reading about something you are passionate about. At the same time, you are learning the language and improving your language skills. Isn’t it amazing?
They are all printed magazines, so you can highlight new words, cut some parts, and work manually at home. At the same time, you can access it online with additional resources like flashcards. It’s so much worth it, and you’ll have a lot of fun learning your chosen language with such reading material as these magazines.
I wanted to present these foreign language magazines first to you since they are one of the best. I use them myself. They make my language learning a lot of fun.
The only drawback of these magazines is that they don’t have any images. But still, the texts are interesting, and I love learning languages with them.
Let’s now talk about other foreign language magazines you can get. I’ll now divide them into Language categories.
Spanish Language Magazines
First of all, I want to present to you some great Spanish language magazines to learn Spanish. Of course, one of them would be Read & Think Spanish, about which I talked in the first part of the article, so check it out.
VAMOS MAGAZINE
Vamos Magazine is always up-to-date with current happenings in Spanish-speaking countries.
You’ll get many insights into the culture, events, and traditions of the places. It also contains information about famous personalities from the countries and interviews with people living in Spanish-speaking countries.
This magazine will help you to learn Spanish vocabulary and also explain basic grammar.
Moreover, I love this magazine thanks to its short articles, posters, and stickers with DIY activities so that you can make the magazine look the way you want. It just makes your learning process a lot more enjoyable.
Spanish Level
Vamos Magazine is suitable for absolute beginners or beginner Spanish learners (A1 – A2).
Price of Vamos Magazine
The pricing of the Vamos magazine is based on an annual subscription. That means you’ll pay the whole amount up front, which is $43.95. After, you’ll receive printed issues of the magazine. Altogether, you’ll get 5 magazines annually. They ship them to you for free (within the USA) between October and May. The magazines are supplied by the ‘Foreign Language Store.’
In addition, you can get an Audio USB with all text recordings. It costs $15.00 per year. Or you can get the audio recordings for FREE when you download them.
CHICOS MAGAZINE
Chicos magazine also offers up-to-date information every single time.
You’ll learn a lot about Spanish-speaking countries, get simplified news about current events, and learn about their culture and events.
As with Vamos Magazine, you’ll learn a lot of Spanish vocabulary in context and simple grammar.
It’ll motivate you to learn Spanish with interesting articles, fun activities, and information about famous personalities from the Spanish-speaking world. The issues also contain illustrated vocabulary with nouns and adjectives to help you memorize the words.
Spanish Level
Chicos Magazine is suitable for beginner and intermediate Spanish learners (A2 – B1).
Price of Chicos Magazine
The pricing of the Chicos magazine is also based on an annual subscription. That means you’ll pay the whole amount up front, which is $43.95. After, you’ll receive printed issues of the magazine. Altogether, you’ll get 5 magazines per year. They ship them to you for free (within the USA) between October and May. The magazines are supplied by the ‘Foreign Language Store.’
In addition, you can get an Audio USB with all text recordings. It costs $15.00 per year. These audio recordings are also available for FREE when you download them.
I love both of these magazines, particularly thanks to their images and illustrations. These are perfect for playing with. You can cut parts of the texts or images and glue them into your language notebook or create flashcards.
Now, let’s have a look at some magazines for French learners.
French Language Magazines
For French learners, I also have magazines supplied by the Foreign Language Store in the USA. Since they are currently not shipping abroad, you can also get the Read & Think French magazine. Check it out in the first part of this article. If you are from the USA, these two French magazines are also an option for you.
C’EST FACILE MAGAZINE
C’est Facile magazine talks about a wide range of cultural events in the French-speaking parts of the world. It includes interviews, information about famous personalities, current events, and simple news about happenings in the French language. You’ll also learn about French traditions and gastronomy.
You’ll learn a lot of basic French vocabulary with easy grammar. Their illustrations will make it a lot easier for you.
As with other magazines, C’est Facile also contains stickers, cultural posters, and DIY activities to make your French learning much more enjoyable. It also has an interactive vocabulary of nouns, adjectives, and verbs.
French Level
C’est Facile Magazine is suitable for beginner French learners (A2 level).
Price of C’est Facile Magazine
The pricing of the C’est Facile magazine is based on an annual subscription. You’ll pay the whole amount up front, which is $43.95. After, you’ll receive printed issues of the magazine. Altogether, you’ll get 5 magazines per year. They ship them to you for free (within the USA) between October and May. The magazines are supplied by the ‘Foreign Language Store.’
In addition, you can get an Audio USB with all text recordings. It costs $15.00 per year. Or you can get the audio recordings for FREE when you download them.
MÔME MAGAZINE
With Môme Magazine, you’ll get large poster photographs, brief current events in the French-speaking
countries, and cultural items that reflect the reality of living in a French-speaking world. It includes all up-to-date information, interviews with famous French personalities, information about French culture, traditions, sports, and gastronomy.
The Enquette section also contains games and cartoons to help you learn French vocabulary in a fun way.
French Level
Môme Magazine is suitable for intermediate French learners (B1 level).
Price of Môme Magazine
The pricing of the Môme magazine is based on an annual subscription. You’ll pay the whole amount up front, which is $43.95. After, you’ll receive printed issues of the magazine. Altogether, you’ll get 5 magazines per year. They ship them to you for free (within the USA) between October and May. The magazines are supplied by the ‘Foreign Language Store.’
In addition, you can get an Audio USB with all text recordings. It costs $15.00 per year. These audio recordings are also available for FREE when you download them.
Italian Language Magazines
Let’s have a look at some language magazines for French learners. Again, you can choose ‘Read & Think Italian,’ which I talk about in the first part of this article. Bear in mind that ‘Read & Think Italian’ doesn’t have any pictures, so you won’t be able to play games as I suggested.
However, it has amazing and interesting articles, and I use it on my own to learn Italian as a beginner at the moment.
Apart from ‘Read & Think Italian,’ you can choose from the following Italian language magazines:
AZZURRO MAGAZINE
Azzuro means ‘blue’ in Italian. See, now you’ve learned your (first) word in Italian.
This is how easy learning languages is. Just take every opportunity to learn words, and you’ll get better at it.
All right, let’s talk about Azzurro Magazine. You’ll get many cultural insights into the Italian-speaking world. Each magazine includes poster photographs, current events, interviews, information about famous Italian personalities, and traditions in Italy.
You’ll learn a lot of Italian vocabulary with easy grammar. The magazine gives you resources to speak, read, play, and learn interesting facts about Italy and its culture. You’ll also get fun stickers and craft activities to make your learning process enjoyable and help you memorize words effectively.
Italian Level
Azzurro Magazine is suitable for absolute beginners and beginner Italian learners (A1 – A2 levels).
Price of Azzurro Magazine
The pricing of Azzurro magazine is based on an annual subscription. You’ll pay the whole amount up front, which is $43.95. After, you’ll receive printed issues of the magazine. Altogether, you’ll get 5 magazines per year. They ship them to you for free (within the USA) between October and May. The magazines are supplied by the ‘Foreign Language Store.’
In addition, you can get an Audio USB with all text recordings. It costs $15.00 per year. These audio recordings are also available for FREE when you download them.
CIAO ITALIA MAGAZINE
Ciao Italia is another great magazine for beginner or intermediate Italian language learners. You’ll get a lot of cultural insights into life in Italy, interviews with famous personalities, information about culture, traditions, and current events in Italy.
The information in the magazine is always up-to-date. It keeps you up with all the happenings in Europe and Italy.
I particularly love the comic strips and fascinating articles that teach you Italian vocabulary in an easy and fun way. In addition, the issues include engaging self-tests, cartoons, and quizzes to memorize Italian words better.
Italian Level
Ciao Italia Magazine is suitable for beginners or intermediate Italian learners (A2 – B1 levels).
Price of Ciao Italia Magazine
The pricing is based on an annual subscription. You’ll pay the whole amount up front, which is $43.95. After, you’ll get 5 magazines per year (all included in the price). They ship them to you for free (within the USA) between October and May. The magazines are supplied by the ‘Foreign Language Store.’
In addition, you can get an Audio USB with all text recordings. It costs $15.00 per year. These audio recordings are also available for FREE when you download them.
German Language Magazines
Bye-bye, Italian, welcome German. German is perhaps the most difficult language to learn from this list. That is why I want to make it easier for you to learn. These German language magazines will bring fun to your German learning process and make it easier to understand the grammar and learn German vocabulary.
DEUTSCH PERFEKT
For now, I have something for you, German learner. Get Deutsch Perfekt. It is a printed magazine you’ll get delivered to your home. You can even order it with an extra exercise book if you’d like.
Deutsch Perfekt will give you interesting insights into German-speaking countries‘ lives with interviews, stories, history, and culture, and even practical tips to live in Germany. It’ll also explain German grammar, give you useful vocabulary and phrases, expressions, and idioms.
You can get Deutsch Perfekt in 3 language levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
If you don’t really like printed versions, you can also ask for an online PDF version of Deutsch Perfekt.
What I really love about this foreign language magazine is that it not only focuses on Germany. You will also read a lot of content about Austria and Switzerland. This is amazing as you have all German-speaking countries on one spot and can learn about all of them.
Let’s stick to German for a while. I have other great German-language magazines for you.
Unfortunately, these two magazines are only available for my US audience at the moment. They are currently not able to ship outside the USA. I will let you know guys as soon as they renew shipping abroad.
FERTIG…LOS MAGAZINE
Fertig…Los magazine will take you to the German-speaking world. It gives you insights into German-Speaking countries, current happenings, famous personalities, culture, and traditions.
You’ll learn, for instance, about October Fest and will get all the tips & tricks for dressing up for the event, what to do, and how to order beer in German.
You’ll learn a lot of German vocabulary and easy grammar with this magazine. It includes interactive vocabulary pages with nouns and adjectives, craft activities with stickers, games, and short articles about music, sports, and news to make your vocabulary learning a lot of fun.
German Level
Fertig…Los Magazine is suitable for absolute beginners or beginner German learners (A1 – A2 levels).
Price of Fertig…Los Magazine
The pricing is based on an annual subscription. You’ll pay the whole amount up front, which is $43.95. After, you’ll get 5 magazines per year (all included in the price). They ship them to you for free (within the USA) between October and May. The magazines are supplied by the ‘Foreign Language Store.’
In addition, you can also get an Audio USB with all text recordings. It costs $15.00 per year. These audio recordings are also available for FREE when you download them.
KINDER MAGAZINE
Large poster photographs, current events in German-speaking countries, famous personalities,
gastronomy, and German traditions, are all topics you can expect from Kinder Magazine (as with all other magazines).
In addition, it is accompanied by illustrated vocabulary in a cartoon format, activities for discussions (you can talk to yourself), games, and cartoons.
German Level
Kinder Magazine is suitable for beginners or intermediate German learners (A2 – b1 levels).
Price of Kinder Magazine
The magazines are supplied by the ‘Foreign Language Store.’ You’ll pay the whole amount up front, which is $43.95, as an annual subscription. After, you’ll get 5 magazines per year (all included in the price). They ship them to you for free (within the USA) between October and May.
In addition, you can get an Audio USB with all text recordings. It costs $15.00 per year. These audio recordings are also available for FREE when you download them.
More Tips On Learning Languages
I am absolutely in love with language magazines, as you might have realized. They’ve helped me to learn languages in a fun and interesting way. And not only thanks to them I speak now 4 languages fluently.
They helped me with new vocabulary, and sometimes I even forgot I am actually learning thanks to their engaging articles. I am so grateful to have such amazing reading material in my hands that enables me to learn languages for travel. They also motivated me to learn when I needed it, thanks to their content related to travel and the culture of these wonderful places we all want to visit.
With reading material such as foreign language magazines, you can practice 3 language skills. To learn more, check out my article about the most important skills of language learning. You will get even more great resources for your language learning journey.
If you love reading in foreign languages, you might also be interested in the best foreign language books that will help you learn languages with their capturing stories. Or check out the top 9 Spanish language books if you want to learn Spanish as a beginner or an intermediate learner.
To get more resources, go to the section ‘Language Resources’ and get the best language learning apps for speaking, best language learning podcasts, and tips on learning vocabulary on your own in a fun way.
Comment below if you liked this article and if you want to get these magazines :).
