Why learn a new language? How about the billions of opportunities it gives you privately and professionally? The awesome thing is that nowadays it’s easier than ever to learn a new language! Even without you having to spend your time and money on language courses. Here’s 5 language learning hacks, the language school will probably hate me for:
1. Use immersion You want to learn French? Awesome, then turn your room or even the whole apartment to little Paris. No, I don’t mean eat croissants for breakfast every morning, though if that will help you get motivated to learn the language, go right ahead.
You can immerse yourself into the French culture by listening to French music, watching French films and reading French books exclusively. Do this even if you’re just starting out with the language and literally don’t understand anything. Our brains are truly magical and they take information even when we don’t realise it. Find your favourite series in the language you want to learn. It will sound strange at the beginning but you’ll get used to it. When it comes to books, simply start out with easier texts and make peace with the fact that a translator app will be your best friend for a very long time.
2. Structure it Language apps or online exercises are a good way to start and keep you going with learning the grammar. If you prefer self-learning books, there’s also a lot to choose from. The trick here is to set a specific time of day or week when you focus purely on learning the language. For some it might work to play around with Duolingo while commuting to work, for others taking the self-learning language book to a café for a an hour or two. Try out different things and find out what works for you.
3. Get social Language exchange is a great way of learning a new language and meeting new people at the same time. An alternative would be language cafes where people meet to practice their skills in the foreign language you want to learn. Getting social is the best way to practice a language and you get to make new friends in the process.
4. Talk to yourself in the foreign language We spend most of the day thinking aka talking to ourselves. Try out your newest foreign language skills in your head. What did you just think to yourself? Could you say it in French or German? If you’re missing a word in a sentence, use translator to find out how it should be said and hey that is how you learn.
5. Write Writing is a great way of clearing your head in any language but if you try writing out your thoughts in the language you’re learning, you get two benefits for the price of one.
With these 5 tips you are guaranteed to learn your desired foreign language of choice in no time! By the way, what new language would you like to learn? Let us know in the comments below.