Methods to Use for Learning a New Language

Have you ever traveled to a foreign country and felt out of place? From the time you land in their airport, you might be thrown off by the obscure words on signs and the distant chatter in an unfamiliar tongue. This is part of the wonder that draws many people to travel in the first place. But feeling this way can also spark up a new desire, the desire to learn a new language.

The prospect of learning a new language might have once seemed doable in your academic years when a language class was mandatory. But once you’ve left this learning environment, it grows more difficult to learn a foreign tongue. You’ll have to be way more intentional about it, but practicing the following methods will help you in your pursuit of learning a new language.

Use a Language App

You may have seen language learning apps or programs advertised over the years but never given them much thought. While these apps do take some intentionality and accountability, if you keep up with your studies, you’ll be well on your way to becoming bilingual, trilingual, or whatever your goal is. These apps have interactive features that make learning much more engaging and interesting than simply memorizing vocabulary off a screen.

Watch a Foreign Movie or Put Subtitles On

While language learning apps have their pros, some users complain that they do not accurately prepare you for speaking face-to-face. This is why some individuals take up the practice of watching a foreign movie or putting subtitles on in the language they are trying to learn. This can sometimes more accurately depict how people speak to one another in this language, as language learning apps can sometimes lean towards formalities. This method doesn’t take much extra effort on your part, as it only requires you to incorporate learning into an activity you were going to partake in anyway. Before you know it, your brain will be retaining this information and you’ll be able to recognize phrases and participate in conversations.

Make Bilingual Friends

If you know somebody who speaks the language you are trying to learn, this will help immensely in your educational efforts. While you shouldn’t expect your friend to take the place of a teacher, they can act as a great accountability partner and engage in conversations with you in this new language as you become more familiar with it. If you do not know anybody who speaks the language you are trying to learn, begin doing some networking online. There are many Facebook groups and other digital communities that enable you to meet people from all over the world and connect with them despite upfront language barriers.