How should you learn a new language?

How should you learn a new language?

One benefit of technology is the way we are connected to the world today. It is no question that learning a language will not only make it easy for you to connect to the world but you’ll also stand out with an extra skill.

Learning a new language can have many advantages, like it can boost your career options, as one can learn languages as an added skill and use that as a benefit in their existing field of interest or can change their line entirely. It can make travelling easier if you plan to visit the location of your target language. Learning a new language can help you find connections with different languages, which in turn can make it easier if you plan on learning a second language. 

So these were the advantages of learning a new language. But how do we learn it?

Its simple if you put your mind into it. Here are some points to help anyone in learning a new language.

• First you should know why you want to learn a new language.

The key point is to find a reason which will keep you motivated to keep learning and excelling in learning your target language. You have to keep in mind that you have to shell out time and study that language with dedication in order to learn it. Hence it is very crucial to have motivation.

• Immerse yourself in the culture of that language.

Languages are best learnt when you know about the culture of the place where the language is spoken. Learning certain customs of that place can help you understand certain terminologies in your target language. 

• Be adaptable and have an open mind.

When learning a new language you need to keep an open mind to absorb new things. Some terms may seem weird or you might question the grammar at times but keep in mind that acceptance helps you learn.

• Patience!

This is the most important point. Know that even in your own native language you are still learning it till today and come across words which are not familiar. So learning a new language will take time and lots of time. One never stops learning a language.

• Surround yourself with your target language.

Surrounding yourself means that you should try to read or listen more in your target language. Use the internet to watch shows or news in your target language. Another good method is to use sticky notes to label the things around your house in your target language. 

• Watch shows and listen to music in the target language.

Similar to the earlier point, try to surround yourself in your target language by watching shows or listening to music. Or you can read books or stories in your target language which you already know in your native language. This will help you push yourself in reading and understand your target language.

• Try to communicate with native speakers.

The internet has brought the world closer, and hence today it is much easier to communicate with a native speaker than before. You can join online communities or download apps which will help you in connecting with native speakers. This will help you alot in sounding natural in your target language.

• Do not be afraid to make mistakes.

Most people are scared to communicate in their target language in the fear that they will make a mistake. But we have to remember that even when learning our own native language we made many mistakes. Being corrected by someone helped us in improving in that language.

• Know your target while learning a language.

Earlier I said that it is important to know what your motivation is. So you should have a target in the language you are learning, like you want to achieve spoken fluency, or you want to be able to write stories, or be able to communicate with natives. This is important as this will help you focus on what you need to improve on.

• Do not learn lots of languages at once, especially similar ones.

Make this a note, that learn a new language only when you reach intermediate level in one language. Also when learning similar languages might be easy, as they might have similar vocabulary or grammar, at the same time it can get confusing and you might loose interest in learning all together.

• Have fun!

Learning a language should not be tedious. One should have fun while learning a new language, you chose to learn that language, no one forced you. The moment you stop having fun you lose interest.

• Try to find other people who are also learning your target language.

This is difficult if you are learning a language on your own, as you can only communicate online. But if you are attending a class for learning a new language then its more easier. Speak to fellow language learners, as it helps in practicing the language in day to day life.

• Try not to give up, give yourself breaks.

Do not assume that you will just simply learn a new language in a day. Give it time and lots of time. Patience is the key. If the studying and practicing gets overwhelming then take a break, not a very long one, but give yourself some time to take a break from the language so that you can spring back soon with a fresh mind.

So these are some points as how to learn a new language. All the best and most importantly have fun!!