I think learning a new language should be in everyone’s bucket list. The advantages span from Improved memory to better problem solving skills to enhanced communication skills. You could also learn a language to make travel easier or just for fun.
Communication is part of us, it is part of our lives. We can communicate in various ways and language is usually the main tool of communication. Learning a language should be a fun ride but sometimes it isn”t, that is why this article is here, to give you tips in how to learn a Language Faster and avoid frustration.
Get the basics right
For you to learn faster, you need to set the right foundation. That is why getting the basics right is one of the important steps. The foundation includes the basic grammar and vocabulary.
For example, learning the pronouns, I, You, He/She, and their plurals. Then building it up by learning the common verbs and their different conjugations. Then building it up to include adver
bs and adjectives and then constructing short phrases.
Setting a proper foundation will mean that you will be climbing a ladder that is leaning against the right wall. It will mean that your progress onwards will be in the right direction. Also learn the common words, you will interact with them more often.
Consume material in your target language
You will need to immerse yourself in the language that your are learning. Luckily in this digital era, there are numerous ways that you could immerse yourself in the target language.
Begin consuming material in that language. This could look like listening to music, videos, movies in the target language. Watching and or listening to news in your target language is also helpful. Getting beginner books and reading them. Even setting your phone to the target language.
language learning apps
Identify your learning style
We are all unique individuals, built and wired differently. What may work for one person may not necessarily suit the next person. It is therefore paramount that you find the learning style that actually works for you.
There are majorly 4 types of learning styles, Visual, Auditory, Read & Write and Kinesthetic. Though the years you may have actually discovered the style that is dominant for you, else you can discover it by asking yourself and personally finding out what actually works for you.
After finding what the style that works best for you for example if it is visual, then you would best learn faster by using images. You could associate images to names in the target language. Bottom line is finding out which learning style actually works for you and it can be a combination.
Consider using language learning apps
Technology has been a blessing. With the likes of ‘Google Translate’ which incorporates Artificial Intelligence, we can easily get translations with simply a voice command or text input.
There are numerous of language learning apps that help to learn language. They range from apps that include interactions and exchange with other people to game apps, word puzzles that could help in the learning process. The beauty of these apps is that they can fit into your schedule. You decide when and how much to use them.
In most of these learning apps you also get to interact with others who are in a similar journey as you. It is encouraging to know that we are not the only ones on the road. You could also exchange notes, learn and share together.
Talk to Yourself
Yes I know this sounds bizarre! However, talking to yourself is actually a tactic that works. It helps your brain exercise the muscles of the target audience. It allows the words to echo in your ears and your mind as well.
Talking to yourself will bring to attention vocabulary that you may not know and need to learn. It also serves to boost your confidence when you need to publicly speak the language. Try it in the shower, try it when you are thinking about an issue. Try to arrange your day in the target language and at the end of the day, describe how your day was in the target language.
It works wonders, you will come to attest.
Make Mistakes
Do not be afraid of putting yourself out there. Do not be afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes are room for growth. They represent potential to scale up, to level up. Therefore embrace your mistakes and be kind to yourself.
It is in the making of mistakes that you get correction and feedback. Don’t live in your mental space alone, verbalise it, allow someone to listen to your speaking in the target language. The more you talk and make more mistakes, the more you are able to correct and make less mistakes as you keep progressing.
As Roy T. Bennett puts it, “To learn something new, you need to try new things and not be afraid to be wrong.”
“Never be afraid to try something new because life gets boring when you stay within the limits of what you already know.”