Language Diary: The best ways to learn a new language
Keen to learn a new language but don't have time or funds to attend formal language classes?
Reflecting on my personal experience as an English language teacher and learning French as my foreign language, I have complied a list of eight of the best informal ways to develop in any foreign language.
Linguists argue that having the right level of motivation is one of the key factors in successful foreign language development. You may be motivated to learn a new language because of your job, partner or love for the country. Whatever the reason, choosing the right ways to stimulate your enjoyment when learning a new language is really important to remain motivated throughout the entire learning process.To do this, you should begin by considering your own hobbies and interests and integrate them into your language learning too.
Linguists argue that having the right level of motivation is one of the key factors in successful foreign language development. You may be motivated to learn a new language because of your job, partner or love for the country. Whatever the reason, choosing the right ways to stimulate your enjoyment when learning a new language is really important to remain motivated throughout the entire learning process.To do this, you should begin by considering your own hobbies and interests and integrate them into your language learning too.
1. Films and TV series. Start practising your comprehension skills by watching films, TV and series in your target language. Films are a great way of listening to how native speakers pronounce their words and articulate sentences, without the added pressure of actually having to converse with a native speaker. If you already have some familiarity with the language and are intermediate level or above, then try watching with subtitles in your target language. This way you can read what you hear and increase your chances of retaining new vocabulary.
2. Youtube. If the idea of committing to a full length film or series is too daunting or you simply don’t have time, YouTube videos are perfect. Short video clips talking about your interests are just as effective in developing comprehension and vocabulary skills. The search bar on Youtube is endless so there is certainly something for everyone. If you like cooking then find a YouTuber who speaks your target language and gives tutorials on a recipe you would like to try. Travel, music, make up, yoga, fashion, gaming, history, politics, comedy - it’s all there. Another great thing about YouTube is that you can watch whilst on the go. Whether it be on the train to work, during your lunch break or even whilst running on the treadmill.
3. News Articles. To practice reading comprehension skills and to learn new vocabulary try reading the local news that is written in your target language. Not only will this help to develop your language competency, but it will help you to gain a new perspective on world news and current affairs. In the same way as when watching films and YouTube videos, you should tailor reading to your own personal interests in order to increase motivation. Magazines, blogs and the features sections of newspapers are great places to find interesting articles on just about anything.
4. Language exchange. It goes without saying but in order to master any foreign language you must practice speaking. Being able to speak well and with confidence is arguably what most language learners find to be the biggest challenge. A good way to put your grammar, vocabulary and comprehension skills into practice (in an authentic way) is to practice with a native or fluent speaker of your target language. Remember most of the world are very keen to learn English too, so a language exchange could be an ideal way to benefit both partners. The good thing about doing an organised exchange is that you don’t need to worry about the other person becoming impatient when you make mistakes as they are in exactly the same position. Searching online and via social media is the easiest way to find a language exchange or tandem.
5. Talk to yourself. It might sound strange but speaking aloud can really help your general fluency as when we talk to ourselves we are not worried about making mistakes and sounding stupid. The downside of course is that you don’t have anyone to correct your mistakes. A way around this is to record yourself on a smart phone and play it back. When you play it back, listen carefully to see if you can hear any mistakes in pronunciation or language. Self correction is also crucial in your language development- so don’t be hard on yourself if you find many errors.
6. Write a journal. Try keeping a diary or journal and write it in your target language. You could do a daily, weekly or even monthly journal entry about anything that you may have floating around in your head. This can be focused around what you have been doing in life or how you have been feeling. There really are no limits as the intention is that only you will read it. Writing is one of the four key skills, yet learners often spend less time on practicing writing. As depending on our job, it may be the least useful. However, being able to write well is essential in mastering any language and it can directly affect the quality of your speaking and grammatical skills too.
7.Keep a vocabulary book. It may sound obvious but a good way to expand your linguistic repertoire is to note down new vocabulary as soon as you read or hear it. This is especially necessary if you’re living in a foreign country. Do this by keeping a small note book in your bag and write down any new vocabulary. Return to your vocabulary book at the end of each week to make sure you have memorised the new words and phrases. One of the best ways to retain new vocabulary is to actually use it in a real-life situation! So attempt to either use it in conversation or write an example sentence of how the new word could be used. You’re more likely to remember vocabulary if you’ve made an association with a context that it can be used within.
8. Grammar book. Learning a new grammatical system is is not easy. Take the French language for example, even French children have to learn how to conjugate their native tongue from a young age at school. So obtaining a grammar book is advised. If you don’t find grammar to be the most interesting part of language learning, remember to designate grammar practice to those times when you are feeling most energised and determined in your linguistic development. Prioritise your time wisely.
By immersing your target language into our everyday lives and routines, we allow what once may have been a chore to become a normal part of our daily rituals. Once you have prioritised these techniques and increased your exposure to the language, the learning process will steadily become a natural progression- whether you live in abroad or not!
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