Different Ways to Learn a New Language

There is something extremely attractive and impressive about people who speak several languages. Being fluent in two or more languages is something so many of us wish we could do, but in order to do that you have to make the effort. Finding the time and the motivation to learn a foreign language can be tricky so here is a list of ways you can learn without it being a chore.

1. Movies and Television One of the ways many people learn languages is by watching TV programs or films with the subtitles on. Explore the different language subtitles on the DVD you are watching, or rent a foreign movie and read the subtitles in your own language. It’s a more relaxing and entertaining way to learn a language and you can sit there, chill out, enjoy a good movie and absorb the words and phrases without having to actively take part in learning.

2. CDs and tapes Language course CDs are great if you don’t have much time on your hands. Burn them onto your iPod and listen to them while you’re lying on the beach, going for a run, trying to get to sleep at night, on the bus, in the car or waiting in line in the supermarket. Make use of all that time spent waiting by becoming fluent in another language.

3. Music Everyone loves music because it’s fun and having fun is important when you’re trying to learn a language. Songs are catchy and easy to listen to, so try downloading or buying music in a foreign language. Repetition is the key to learning, so if you listen to the same song over and over again you will eventually know the words.

4. Visit the Country By far the best way to learn the language of a country is immersion. Live in the country where they speak the language you want to learn and perhaps even stay with a host family there. By living in the country you are forced to learn the language because you are interacting every day with people in a language that is not your own. You will see the words on things like road signs and menus and hear them being spoken wherever you go.

5. Find a foreign friend When you’re traveling, you’re bound to meet a variety of people from different countries. Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn a foreign language and ask them how to say things in their lingo.

6. Newspapers and magazines Words are not always written how they sound, so reading newspapers and magazines is a great way to see them in written form. Get your news in a foreign language and learn new vocabulary in subjects such as economics, business and politics. If there are words you don’t understand, write them down and look them up in a dictionary later.

7. Phrase books and dictionaries Phrase books can be useful for the odd sticky situation or emergency, but unless you want to go around with a book in front of your face reciting sentences parrot fashion, phrase books can only take you so far. They’re great for learning simple greetings, numbers and knowing simple tourist phrases, but to develop your knowledge further you will need to learn about grammar and know how to structure sentences.

8. Talk in the language for a day Just for one day, instead of walking around talking in your own language, why not make yourself say everything in a foreign language whether you know how to say it or not. Sometimes it can be embarrassing to speak in a foreign language out loud if you’re not really confident about it, so talk to yourself when nobody’s around.

9. Take a class Some people prefer to learn languages by being in a classroom because it gives them a place to focus and a physical building where they can go to learn. The benefits of learning in a classroom are that you meet other people, you are being taught by someone who has been trained to teach you and you can get support if you are having trouble with anything. If you have a little money to spare then this can be a good option.

10. Language Swap A language exchange is usually two or more people who speak different languages practicing each other’s language, but sometimes you can exchange another skill in return for language practice. Look through the classifieds online and in local newspapers and you’ll sometimes find adverts for language swaps.