Signed up for a foreign language class? Chances are you’re either super-excited or totally dreading it. If you fall into the latter group, no worries. Just follow our twelve effective learn new language techniques. (They work for language lovers, too!)
1. Set a Self-Empowering Goal.
“I need foreign language credits” or “I should probably learn Spanish” isn’t enough to keep you on task. To stay motivated, you need to set a more urgent and specific goal. Passing your language course might be a requirement, but you can put yourself in the driver’s seat by owning that goal and restating it as “I want to get a C in German.”
2. Act like a baby.
You didn’t learn to speak your native language by reading a book; you learned it naturally by listening to other people. So if you’re tempted to use beginning language programs that are primarily visual, give them a second thought. The Pimsleur approach focuses on listening and repetition more than reading and writing, and there are other programs that work the same way.
3. Look for patterns.
Patterns will help you figure words out without having to memorize them individually. For example, in English, we know that we can add “-ly” to many adjectives to create adverbs. Similarly, you can add “-mente” in Spanish and “-ment” in French. Also note gender indicators, verb endings, and so forth. Create a cheat sheet (not for test day!) of all those little shortcuts, and soon, it will all start coming together.
4. Use those words.
You don’t want new words to skate across your icy brain; you want them to dig in like crampons. When you learn a new word, say it aloud immediately. Use it in a sentence. Write it on a flashcard. You can even label items in your room with sticky notes. All of these habits help to etch vocab into your memory. Lather, rinse, and repeat at regular intervals.
5. Translate your thoughts.
Most people have a constant flow of thoughts 24/7. Take advantage by trying to think in your new language instead. For example, challenge yourself to translate every negative thought you have (this is good for your mental health, too). If you think, “My roommate is loud,” stop and figure out how to say it in Chinese or whatever. You’ll know you’re getting somewhere when you start dreaming in your new language!
6. Supplement your learning.
Does the classroom make you anxious or put you to sleep? Look for free or low-cost online language learning platforms or apps. These give you an additional opportunity to practice as well as to socialize, make jokes, and ask questions to native speakers in forums. Duolingo is a great free service that’s fun to use. There are plenty more, so start searching.
7. Watch a movie.
Or a TV program. Find a foreign film or show on your favorite streaming service, and turn on those subtitles. (Another option is to watch an English movie with foreign subtitles.) Remember that every language has dialects and regional accents. On top of that, onscreen dialogue is often fast-paced. So don’t beat yourself up if you can only pick out individual words. You’ll certainly get a feel for general pronunciation and intonation, and a good dose of culture as well.
8. Read a book.
Or a magazine. Or a newspaper. As you advance and can read better in your new language, find something to read other than your textbook. A great idea is to read children’s books in your new language.
9. Immerse yourself.
You can spend hundreds of hours studying in your room, but to really advance in any language, you need to spend time talking to native speakers. After all, language is used for communication, so it makes little sense to go it alone. When you talk to people in person, you get the added benefits of situational context and body language to help you decipher what’s being said.
10. Don’t sweat the slip-ups.
It might make you nervous to converse in a foreign language, but most people understand that you’re a beginner and will enjoy coaching you. Don’t be embarrassed if they giggle at your mistakes; just laugh along and ask what’s funny. Those gaffes may be important points to remember so you don’t embarrass yourself later.
11. Enjoy yourself.
You’re not going to make any headway if you’re bored stiff. Find the approaches that work for you. Visit a community enclave of native speakers. Find an online pen pal (you can email, Facebook, or Skype!). Just like dieting and exercising, learning a language has to be a long-term lifestyle change in order to be successful. If you’re just going through the sterile motions of reading a textbook and taking quizzes, you won’t remember—because you won’t want to.
image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/diesmali/
