They say that the best time to learn
a new language is when you’re a child. Oops, all grown up now aren’t we? But
that doesn’t mean that adults should give up. The best strategies of learning
afresh, a new language distils into 7 basic principles:
1. Get real. Decide on a simple,
attainable goal to start with, so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. Just pick up
50 words of any language and start using them on / with people — and then slowly
start picking up grammar, and take it from there.
2. Make language learning a
lifestyle change. This is what separates the most successful students from the rest.
Find a language habit that you can follow even when you’re tired, sick or madly
in love. Use it while greeting people in the morning, or while telling your cab
driver where to go. Wait, that’s taking it one step too far, but it really
works!
3. Play house with the
language. The more you invite a foreign language into your daily life, the more
your brain will consider it something useful and worth caring about. “Use every
opportunity to get exposed to the new language”, label every object in your
house in this language, read kids’ books written in it, watch subtitled movies
or live-narrate parts of your day to an imaginary foreign friend. It’s best if
your imaginary friend is…well a real friend who knows the language, so that he
can correct you whenever you take a wrong turn!
4. Let technology help you out. A funny thing like
resetting the language on your phone can help you learn new words right away! Ditto
for changing the language on your browser. You might visit a few websites you’ve
never seen before, but hey, what is discovery without a little bit of mystery! Or
you can seek out more structured learning opportunities online.
5. Think about language learning
as a gateway to new experiences. Learning a language has always been
about focusing on the experiences that the new language would open up, from “Visiting
theme parks, attending air shows, enjoying cowboy poetry and folk-rock
festivals, to learning about photo-essay techniques.” In other words, think of
fun things that you wanted to do anyway, and make them into a language learning
opportunity.
6. Make new friends. Interacting in the new
language is key — it will teach you to intuitively express your thoughts,
instead of mentally translating each sentence before you say it. Find native
speakers near you. Or search for foreign pen pals or set up a language tandem
online, where two volunteers help one another practice their respective
languages.
7. Do not worry about making
mistakes. One of the most common barriers to conversing in a new language is the
fear of making mistakes. But native speakers are like doting parents: any
attempt from you to communicate in their language is objective proof that you
are a gifted genius. They’ll appreciate your effort and even help you. Nervous
about holding a conversation with a peer? Try testing your language skills with
someone a little younger. The more you speak, the closer you’ll get to the
elusive ideal of “native-like fluency.” And to talking to people your own age. So
the next time you need a vegan carrot cake recipe, find one in the language
you’re trying to learn.
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