Every Share Helps!

Learn a new language and get a new soul—Czech Proverb

Heading abroad soon and want to be able to communicate in the local language?  Or maybe you’re just bored of English and want to learn something new?  You’re not alone!  Learning a new language is a daunting task, especially if you are starting as an adult.  But fear not, your desire to learn is the first step towards success!

The following are some popular (and some of my own) tips to help you on your language endeavor:

Keep an open mind!

Diversity is why you chose to learn a new language in the first place!

Take advantage of your resources!

Use programs such as Rosetta Stone or the Learning for Dummies series which include text as well as audio.  There are also several sites online that offer flashcard games for vocabulary and verb conjugation help.

Remember how you learned your first language!

You picked up your native language by hearing it spoken and using it yourself—immerse yourself in an environment where you are forced to use your new language.  If you are unable to find such an environment, watch children’s movies (or any movie) and switch the language from English to the one you are learning, using subtitles.  Start with English subtitles and then make the switch to your new language when you feel more comfortable.  Disney’s animated movies are a great start!

Practice, Practice, Practice!

The best way to get better at something is to make mistakes and learn from them.  Speak out loud, read, and write as much as you can.

Find native speakers!

Practice one on one with someone and challenge yourself.  Ask questions and try using only your new language.  Remember that it is ok to make mistakes.  Always ask for help if you are struggling!  If you aren’t able to find a native speaker, join a community group focused on learning the new language or enroll in a local course.

Never be afraid of literature!

Whether you are a fan of poetry, short stories, or novels, there will be some literature available which matches your proficiency level.  Start small with children’s books until you are comfortable with the grammar structure and while your vocabulary is small, and then work up!

Challenge yourself!

Set realistic goals and the steps towards achieving them.  For example, if you want to be able to read a novel a year from now, challenge yourself to learning 5 new commonly used words a day and finding ways to use them in a sentence.  Review your cumulative vocabulary for 10 minutes each day.  A great way to practice this is to carry flash cards, that way whether you are on your morning commute or in the waiting room at the dentist’s, you have something to pass the time!

Grammar, Grammar, Grammar!

Conjugating verbs and creating the correct sentence structure can be difficult even in your native language.  Obtain grammar books which offer examples and then allow you to practice and check for mistakes (look for books which have answers to exercises in the back).

Take a college class!

Many college institutions offer classes to teach students foreign languages. It is also possible to earn scholarships for college to help students gain access to these courses. Even if a student can speak the language, it is possible that lessons can reinforce his or her vocabulary and language structure knowledge.

Although most of these are widely accepted recommendations for learning a new language, the best advice I ever received was to travel abroad.  After studying Spanish for 4 years in high school and continuing in college, I studied for a semester in Mexico where I was dependent on speaking Spanish and had no option other than to make an effort to improve.  I learned more and spoke more proficiently after 4 months of being in Mexico than I had from studying over 6 years at home.  Not only did I gain experience speaking, but I increased my vocabulary and gained a better understanding of how people actually speak—slang included!

Need another reason to travel abroad while you are learning a new language?  You get a complete cultural experience, which helps you understand the language itself and find the beauty in using it. Each language you speak is another way to express yourself.