Do you quickly want to learn a foreign language? You may
need to relocate to a new country. To make yourself comfortable there, you need
to learn the native language. It may sound impossible, but language experts say
you can master basic communication skills in weeks and the fundamentals of a
foreign language in months.
You may need more time to reach fluency to understand the
great classics of foreign literature, but you can quickly refine idioms and
terminology when necessary. It will serve your purposes in a new place.
Most Effective Tips to Learn a Foreign Language:
With so many ways to learn a language, it can take time to
determine which language-learning tactics benefit you. Whether you want to
achieve your ambitions when learning a foreign language or enhance the
impressive skills you've already acquired, here are some fresh ideas on the
best ways to learn a new language.
1. Set Your Goal:
French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Swedish languages
are similar to English and can be learned within 24 to 30 weeks. In comparison,
other popular languages such as Czech, Russian, Finnish, Bengali, Greek,
Hebrew, Thai, Icelandic, Polish, Tamil, and Vietnamese require about 44 weeks
of learning. And the most challenging languages, like Arabic, Cantonese,
Mandarin, Korean and Japanese, require at least 90 weeks of learning. So you
can pick your language and set your goal accordingly.
2. Watch Video:
Videos and audios provide an effective way to learn an emotive language
fast. It is one of the efficient ways to learn a foreign language. You can
watch foreign-language movies, preferably without subtitles. It will help you
learn the new language and give you a better insight into the native's culture.
If you don't know the language, turn off the subtitles and keep a list of new
vocabulary words you hear and their meanings to check back later.
3. Interact with Natives:
If your town has a community of people who speak the
language you want to learn, join their events. It is one of the best ways to
learn a foreign language and the easiest way to become familiar with slang,
mannerisms, and intonation. Let's slowly build the basics of the language you
want to learn while casually chatting with friends at cafes, bars, and
restaurants. You will make mistakes early, but the more you interact, the
faster you learn.
4. Memorize Common Vocabulary:
According to some observations, native speakers remember
about 15,000 to 20,000 language families. It means the root word and all its
variants. For example, speak, speaking, spoken, etc. These studies suggest that
you learn the language quickly and efficiently by learning the 800 to 1,000
most common basic words and their variations. So it's helpful to start by
learning common vocabulary. It will allow you to quickly develop comprehension
in your daily life and be able to have and follow basic conversations.
5. Explore Online Sources:
The Internet is truly a magical place. You can rely on
Google Translate to learn a foreign language. Connect with other language
learners through online chat groups, watch YouTube videos, and read articles.
The Internet can help you reach your foreign language learning goals if you
find and follow the proper instructions. Nowadays, you can attend several
virtual classes from a native teacher to gain confidence before you move
out.
6. Learn Pronunciation:
Pronunciation helps native speakers to understand your
expressions. There is no point in learning hundreds of words and phrases if
they are strange and incomprehensible. Therefore, while learning words, it is
crucial to learn their pronunciation simultaneously. Pronunciation can be
improved using a suitable interactive application or software program. But the
best option is to interact with a native speaker. This way, you can see how
well you have mastered the new language and how good it is for professional
purposes.
7. Study Literature:
If you can study native literature, you are an expert in
that language. The linguistic experts emphasize prose vs verse for
deeper learning. It will open new doors for you, as you can study their
history, geography, philosophy, and other scriptures. Once you become
interested in learning their stories and culture, you will adopt the language
quickly.
8. Listen Carefully:
Listening is one of the primary and crucial strategies in
language learning. So if you make time to study, you have to make time to
listen. Immersion helps you improve your listening and speaking skills. The
easiest way is to watch TV shows and movies in the language you want to learn.
Try to avoid subtitles so as not to rely on them. It helps you improve your
listening skills and correctly hear common words and phrases.
9. Install and Use Dictionary App:
If you forget a word in the middle of a conversation, then a
pocket dictionary app can help you find that. You can quickly check for the
right word in your mobile app and continue your conversation. Interaction is
vital for learning a new language, so as a practitioner, you should keep up the
habit and engage in conversation more and more. You can use Google Translator
or find other dedicated translation applications based on your language.
10. Access Your Progress:
As we have mentioned, you can move on when learning a new
language if you make mistakes and learn from them. To learn the right words,
you may need to understand 100% of what the native people are saying. You need
to understand their accent. So don't be shy. Just learn from your mistakes. As
you can see, native speakers often laugh at your wrong pronunciation. But in
the end, they will appreciate your efforts and be happy to help.
Summary:
Are you finding the best way to learn a language? It seems
impossible. Learning a new language can be challenging, frustrating, and
sometimes just plain difficult. Some languages are easier to learn than others.
Set your learning plan accordingly and learn from your mistakes. Following
these tips will help you in blending in with the culture of the new place you
visit.
