Don’t you hate it when you’re trying to learn a new language but get buried in strange grammar, letters you’ve never heard of and a constant barrage of work? Well, now there’s hope!
It is common knowledge that learning a second language is difficult. Some who live in bilingual households are able to pick up two languages at the same time, but it’s increasingly difficult if a new language is being learned language after the primary language has already been learned.
Becoming fluent in another language is intimidating and can seem impossible, but it’s so enriching to expose yourself to a whole new language if successful.
Before you even worry about vocabulary, you’ll need to learn the language’s alphabet, numbers, pronunciation technique, conjugation process, phonetic structure, etc.
Just thinking about it all can be overwhelming.
It becomes a lot worse when you realize you have to learn all of this while working around deadlines if you choose to take a language class. There are many different methods to learning and each method works differently for each person. Not every method is going to work the same way for each learner and it’s important to not let a failed try discourage you.
These are some of the best tips I’ve found to learning a language coming from someone taking a college Spanish class while self-learning American Sign Language and German.
1.) Do your homework!!!
This applies mostly for the people who choose to learn a language from an instructor. No matter how dumb or tedious you think the assignments are, you should always at least attempt them. It may seem like your instructor is giving you busy work, but the repetition will be helpful in making sure you really have each individual skill mastered.
2.) Try a language learning app.
Apps such as Babbel or even free apps like Doulingo can be a good way for people who need a more hands-on approach for learning. These apps teach speaking, listening, reading and writing in creative ways for people who are distracted easily. Whether you’re sharpening skills already taught or starting from scratch, you’ll benefit greatly from giving these apps a shot.
3.) Create your own activities.
Only you know your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the best way your brain absorbs knowledge. You can try streaming foreign language channels and music, reading books in your language of choice or looking up online practice sheets, and textbooks. You can even hop onto Quizlet and create your own flashcards and study guides. Personally, I like to practice my Spanish by rereading my favorite books and translating them into Spanish in a word document.
Being bilingual is not only an advantage when it comes to traveling and cultural awareness, but a huge benefit to a resume when it comes to getting a job. If you need more motivation, studies show once you have already learned a second language, it is easier to learn a third.
Though the long road to learning another language is hard, resilience and perseverance is key to finding a way that can work for you. Don’t give up hope when one way isn’t working because there is always another way. Once you complete your goal, it will all be worth it!