GotMyCallA resource for families of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
For future missionaries ·

Learning your mission language before the MTC

Simple ways to start, from Preach My Gospel chapter 7 and the Church’s TALL Embark app.

Short answer

Start small: study a little every day, read the Book of Mormon aloud and use the Church’s TALL Embark app.

Every missionary starts somewhere. Mistakes are part of learning, and small steps add up.

At a glance

  • Daily: a little every day beats a lot once a week.
  • App: TALL Embark is the Church’s language app.
  • Read aloud: the Book of Mormon in your new language.
  • Mistakes: normal. Don’t compare yourself with others.
  • MTCs: teach more than 60 languages.

Your call packet and the Missionary Portal list the language resources for your mission.

A simple daily plan

  1. Set small daily and weekly goals.
  2. Pick tools: scriptures, a dictionary, a grammar book, TALL Embark.
  3. Pick a time, like 15 minutes reading aloud.
  4. Review each week and adjust.

Practice that helps

  • Listen, read, speak and write a little each day.
  • Speak whenever you can, even with mistakes.
  • Practice with a native speaker.
  • Pray for help, and keep going.

Learning English?

Preach My Gospel encourages non-English speakers to study English. EnglishConnect for Missionaries has study plans.

At the MTC

Language study is part of MTC training. If you start at home, see our at-home MTC guide. The Mexico City MTC trains in Spanish, Haitian Creole and K’ekchi, according to Church Newsroom.

Questions

Should I learn my mission language before the MTC?

Starting early can help. Preach My Gospel asks missionaries to make a daily language plan, and tools like TALL Embark help.

What app do missionaries use to learn languages?

Preach My Gospel chapter 7 names the TALL Embark app as a language tool, along with scriptures, dictionaries and grammar books.

How long should I study each day?

The Church doesn’t set one number for before the MTC. Preach My Gospel’s example is 15 minutes reading the Book of Mormon aloud.

Will the MTC teach my language?

MTCs teach more than 60 languages. Confirm your training plan in your call packet.

What if I need to learn English?

Preach My Gospel encourages non-English speakers to study English. EnglishConnect for Missionaries has study plans.

Sources

. Rules change, so official pages, your call packet and the Missionary Portal are always the final word. GotMyCall is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

More

Starting online first? At-home MTC: what to expect →

At-home MTC MTC locations Preach My Gospel How to prepare After your call What a mission costs Letters & packages