As we wrote in our very first post it is definitely worth learning foreign languages. But the question that always arises is HOW? How can you learn new words without allowing them to go in one ear and out the other, and how is it possible to know you are going in the right direction and making progress? Here our 10 tips to help you know how!
1. BE SYSTEMATIC
Yes, we agree. Being systematic can be difficult at times because of the lazybones inside all of us from time to time. Being systematic also seems like something just for students because they don’t have to think about responsibilities at work, running after the children, feeding the dog and so on but as they say where there’s a will, there’s a way. It is much more effective to study small chunks of information frequently than a lot of material in one go. Studying 15 to 20 minutes a day is less tiring and much more satisfying than a 3-hour cram session. This kind of systematic learning makes information easier to take in and makes learning a foreign language a truly pleasant experience.
2. WATCH FILMS
Have you got a favourite film? So, why not try to watch it in your new favourite language? Watching a film you love will help you focus on what the characters are talking about and inspire your curiosity. If understanding the original language seems too much of a challenge then you can always switch on the subtitles and write down the new words and phrases you learn. At the beginning it can be quite difficult but you will be SO happy and satisfied when you see how far you come with each little step. Additionally, we can assure you that you will soon start finding it easier to understand TV journalists, radio commentators and other films in your chosen foreign language.
3. USE FLASH CARDS
Forgetting words that you have just learnt over and over can be very frustrating. We have all experienced having a word on the tip of the tongue but not being able to quite remember it. It’s not very convenient to carry a thick notebook everywhere you go or to go through your wordlist to find the word you are looking for. Using flash cards is the answer. It doesn’t matter whether they are in paper format or whether you use an app. It is a matter of personal preference. By using flashcards you are able to group them into categories like people, numbers and jobs or even known, still learning and difficult to remember. Find the solution that meets your needs.
4. PLAY COMPUTER GAMES
It is a great idea to connect nice things with useful things. If you have a computer game that you can’t live without try playing it using a version in a foreign language. It is said that the Final Fantasy series of games is a computer game of choice for learning a foreign language. Can anyone here admit to it? It is a similar method to watching your favourite films. Learning happens naturally when it is connected with something you love doing.
5. READ BOOKS
If you are a book worm there is no better way to learn a foreign language than by reading a good book. You can find many interesting books that have originally been published in another language. You can also start with simple books in order not to discourage yourself for reading. Most importantly, while reading you don’t need to know all the words. It is important to understand what the book is about rather than every word. There will always be words that you haven’t learnt. Try to understand the context of the book and you will start to see a noticeable increase in your language development.
6. JOIN INTERNET FORUMS
If you enjoy connecting with other people online you should seriously consider taking advantage of internet forums. You can chat with people all over the world without the fear of communicating in another language. You will definitely improve your writing skills and enrich your vocabulary at the same time. It will likely give you more self-confidence and motivation to continue working on the language.
7. WRITE A LOT
You may not be interested in writing about things that make you feel bored. But what about writing down the daily events in your life in a journal? Or maybe writing a blog would be something pleasant for you? You could write about fashion, the environment, an eco-lifestyle, politics or cosmetics. In fact the list of things that might interest you is probably endless. It is a great way of developing your thinking and writing skills in a foreign language and is perfect for developing your vocabulary.
8. WHAT THEY ARE SINGING ABOUT ?
All of us have a favourite song, singer or band. Trying to understand what they are singing about is not only fun but perfect for learning idioms, phrases and vocabulary used in everyday life by young people. If you like singing you can also try to remember the lyrics and impress your friends by showing them you can sing a song in a foreign language. Even if they don’t like your singing, you will be able to understand what the song is about and feel like a rock star at the same time… ;)
9. GROUP MEETINGS
If you live in a city you may have an opportunity to join various groups of people who meet, just to talk in foreign languages. The biggest advantage of this is that you learn to think in that foreign language and speak in natural and fluent way. You stop being afraid of using perfect grammar and you focus on communication. The most important factor is not to be afraid of speaking. Thanks to that, you won’t be learning things off by heart but you will be picking up new words and phrases by simply listening to what other people are saying. They will probably feel as scared as you in the beginning but this may soon turn into a wonderful relationship.
10. TRY DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEACHING
We can advise you of many ways of learning foreign languages but you are the only person who really knows what kind of impulses really work on you. Maybe you are not good at managing your time, so it would be better to join a private language school. The education market offers various ways of studying. If you like to have direct contact with people, learn by practicing and have the opportunity to study all the necessary skills (writing, reading, speaking, listening, grammar etc.) then you should seriously check out our method ;)
