Language Learner: Top 10 Best Way to Learn a Language
Les Listes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
As a new language learner, starting to learn a new language, whether it be Korean or French, can seem quite daunting. Everything you hear and read makes no sense and the language mountain in front of you seems insurmountable. Many a new language learner wants to know what is the best was to learn a language. Check out below for the top 10 tip on how to learn a language.
#10. Talk when you are reading and writing
As a language learner, writing, reading, and understanding the grammar of a new language is very important. It helps you with the building blocks of a language. However, by doing just these two things, you are missing out on two other important parts of language learning, listening and speaking. Therefore, why not incorporate the activities and do them at the same time.[1]FluentU – Mind to Mouth: How to Speak a New Language Fluently Faster
In fact, one of the best ways to learn a language is by speaking out loud while you are reading or writing. To take it one step further, try mimicking the native accent while speaking. While you might feel silly while doing it, it will actually help you a lot by linking your grammar and reading abilities with your speaking and listening abilities.
#9. Be like a language learner child
One of the best ways to learn a language as a new language learner is by taking on a child like mindset. You might think that this is impossible, as children are inherently better at learning languages than adults. However, research has shown that there is in fact no link between language learning ability and age.[2]Babbel – 10 Tips To Learn Any Language From An Expert Rather, when we say try to take on a child like mindset when learning a language, we mean take on the attitude of a child. This doesn’t mean throwing tantrums when you get angry. Rather, similar to children in a new language, don’t be as self-conscious, play in the language, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
As adults, we become afraid of failing. Rather than fail, we rather just say “I can’t”. This is especially true when learning a new language. However, this exact mindset can also hold you back as a language learner. Rather, it is important to have the mindset of a child, and be willing to say that you don’t know everything, but are willing to learn.
#8. Make it part of your routine
One of the most important language learning tips is to make language learning part of your every day routine. In fact, studies show that people who study daily are much more likely to continue studying the language as well as have a higher ability level. To take this one step further, the studies show that people who study daily versus people who only study on the weekends or only during the work week, have a higher language learning ability.[3]Tech Crunch – 3 habits of successful language learners
Therefore, as a new language learner, make sure to set aside time every day to learn your new language.
#7. Use spaced repetition and studying before bed to boost your language learning
#6. Watch videos in your chosen language
One of the best ways to learn a language as a new language learner is to watch videos.[5]the Intrepid guide – TOP 10 BEST WAYS TO LEARN A LANGUAGE BETTER AND FASTER There are many places that have foreign language films including the library, Netflix, and Amazon. If you don’t have a high level, try putting on English subtitles the first time you watch the movie. This will allow you to hear the foreign language but understand what is going on. Afterwards, watch the movie again with subtitles in your chosen for language. Lastly, if youare up for it, try watching the movie a third time with no subtitles at all.
Another great way to get in some more foreign language practice is by watching your favorite movies with foreign subtitles. This way you don’t have to worry about understanding what is going on and just focus on practicing your new language.
Lastly, don’t forget about Youtube. There are Youtubers out there in almost every language imaginable talking about all sorts of different subjects. You are bound to find a Youtuber who talks about the kinds of things you are already interested in. By combining your personal interests with learning a new language, you are bound to find that your abilities are increasing in leaps and bounds.
#5. Make sure to focus on all 4 aspects of language learning
As a new language learner, it is very important to work on all four aspects of language learning which include:
- listening
- reading
- speaking
- writing[6]10 GREAT TIPS: HOW TO LEARN A LANGUAGE MORE QUICKLY
This is very important because when living in a language, you must use all 4 of these skills.
One of the advantages of focusing on all 4 aspects at the same time is that you are much more likely to see continuous results in your language learning process. Language learning can be very tedious at times, and the journey can seem very long and difficult. Sometimes, you may feel that your listening ability is not as good and you are not improving. If you are only focusing on this one skill, it can be both a big physical hindrance as well as mental roadblock in your language learning journey. However, by focusing on all 4 aspects of language learning, you can still progress in other areas, helping give you the self confidence as well as self assurance that you are in fact progressing in the language.
#4. Don’t let language learning take over your life
While it might seem counter intuitive, one of the best tips to learning a new language is to not make it the center of your life.[7]MOSAlingua – The Top 10 Tips For Learning a New Language Succesfully When you make language learning the center of your life, you tend to get more stressed. This is especially true when you don’t see quick improvement. Stress makes you less likely to improve.
Therefore, while it is important to make language learning a daily routine, it is also important to not make it the only thing that you are doing. By being well rounded, you are more likely to be relaxed. By being more relaxed, you are more likely to succeed as a language learner.
#3. Learn a new skill in your target language
One of the best way to learn a new language is by combining your language learning with learning a new skill.[8]Top Ten Reviews – 14 Best Ways to Learn a Second Language For example, if you are learning French, consider taking a cooking class. This is a great opportunity to eat some tasty food. But, it is also a great chance to learn new words. For example, you can learn the words for things such the tools, ingredients, and cooking methods. Not only does this make it more fun to learn a language, it also helps you build many associations in the new language that help make it much easier to remember them.
#2. Practice speaking with an imaginary friend
One of the best ways to learn a new language is by talking with others in that target language. However, you might not always have someone to talk to, but don’t let this stop you. According to Jimmy Naraine, a business coach, one of the best ways to expand your language skills is by talking with an imaginary friend on the phone.[9]The Telegraph – How to learn a language in super-fast time You can easily do this while walking down the street and pretending to talk on the phone with someone.
Naraine says that you may think that “people will think that you’re being weird, but how can that really be the case? How often do you pay attention to what people passing you on the street are saying on the phone?” In addition, “After all, there is background noise, lack of context and everyone is minding their own business. You can take advantage of this situation to practice speaking your target language. And, the beautiful thing is that you can say whatever you want as most people won’t even be able to understand you.”
#1. Go abroad and immerse yourself in the language
The best way to learn a new language, for a language learner is to go abroad. It is important to completely immerse yourself in your target language. This means living with a host family that doesn’t speak your native language and being forced to communicate even when you don’t have the words yet.[10]Go Abroad – 10 Best Ways to Learn a New Language You will be surprised at how quickly you will start to pick up new words and phrases when you don’t have any other options. This type of full on language immersion has been shown to shorten your language learning journey considerably. In fact, some people can become fluent in months rather than years using this method.
References
