Learning a new language can be challenging sometimes. Therefore it is quite helpful to know a few hints and tricks how to make it an easy and entertaining task. Whether it is for a business or for private purposes, learning languages means getting the access keys to another world - to another culture - to be more specific. While learning different languages that are spoken all over the world, I collected a few things that helped me along my way and I'd like to share them with the community.
1 Learn about the culture
To learn about the culture means to learn about the roots of the language. Many sayings or phrases are based on traditions and the way the natives think. If you learn about these traditions and the way of thinking you are much more likely to build connections to certain phrases and speaking habits.
2 Find a native speaker and become friends
To learn a language in it's purest form you have to learn it from a native. Language evolves with every person speaking it. So, learning from a textbook will not give you the vibe of the language. It is a living thing, stuffed with pronounciation, slang and emotions, you will learn it faster, if you connect with it via a person that speaks it.
3 Tandem Learning
In the best case, you can start tandem learning, which means that not only you are learning a new language taught by another person but also teaching yours to someone else. You will find differences and similarities, that will remain in your mind and thus, help you learn new vocabulary. Odd things that pop up, while you are explaining some parts of your language to your tandem partner will be engraved into your own memory.
4 Surround yourself with that specific language
The more your brain gets exposed to the new language, the more chances it gets to create neural connections. Surround yourself with media in that specific language, read articles, watch movies or listen to their local radio channels. The more different types of language input your brain receives, the more it is likely to remember. At best you have bilingual media - or - watch your all time favourite movie in that new language, you are likely to understand it, just by recalling your memory.
5 Be curious!
If you want to learn a new language very fast, tap into the topics you find the most interesting, learn the specific vocabulary and try to redo that with other topics. Being curious boosts your brain's information intake.
6 Find odds and funny things
You are able to remember the silly puns your friend told you? Great! You can do the same thing with odd things regarding a foreign language. Something sounds similar to a familiar word or some phrase you pick up sounds funny? I bet you won't forget that.
7 Use the foreign language to express important things
You want to say "I love you" to your love or you just love to eat and therefore often use phrases like "that's delicious!" or "what is it made of?"? Then learn how to say these phrases in that new language and use them as a platform to explore further vocabs.
8 Repeat consistently
Daily task routines in blocks of 10 to 30 minutes will ensure a progress in learning and avoid a vanishing of the things you already learned. Keep it consistent and you will keep your progress on a steady level. Rome wasn't built in one day after all.
9 Find a purpose
You are going to travel to a native speaking country or maybe study a year abroad? A purpose for learning a new language keeps up your motivation and supplies you with a bit of pressure, so you won't skip your daily task.
10 Enjoy!
You will hardly succeed in learning a new language, if you do not enjoy learning it. Pleasure is the most efficient booster for anything we'd like to accomplish, so have fun and enjoy!
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