Do's, Don'ts and Advice for Finding Your Life Mate Internationally

10 Tips to Learn Any Foreign Language

A photo of a book, a blank notebook and a cup of coffee
Learning a foreign language can be draining, but with a few tips you can learn any in no time.

Are you ready to learn a completely new language?

Sure, you’re probably thinking about how difficult and painful it is. You could be a member of the “I studied Chinese in school, but all I remember is counting from one to ten,” group. And that is one huge group.

Learning a foreign language, as beneficial as it is, can be scary and easy to forget. If done incorrectly, the process of learning a new language can be mentally draining, but the results are well worth the effort if done well.

So put your seatbelts on, grab your pens, and start taking notes. Here are some suggestions for learning any language quickly and without stress.

1. Know what motivates you.

You can’t learn a language effectively if you don’t have a goal or motivation.

You can master the skill more quickly if you know why you’re learning. It could be because you want to impress that foreign girl you’re dating online, or it may be because you want to travel to another country.

It’s beneficial to set a goal for yourself while you’re studying.

2. Make use of all your senses.

While learning, associating things to your senses can help you recall things more easily. We use our senses to learn new things, and they all work together to give us a clearer picture of the experience.

How do I, on the other hand, smell and taste language?

That doesn’t mean you have to.

What matters is that you use these senses when studying. Light a fragrant candle, spray an air freshener, or perhaps, eat a snack. You can also read, listen, practice pronouncing the word, and write it down; engaging all or most of these senses can assist your brain retain what you’re learning.

3. Take advantage of your interests

Not everyone has the ability to sit calmly for a couple of hours while reading a book or listening to a tutor. These may appear to be simple duties in the beginning, when you’re still excited to develop your language skills, but the longer you put yourself to it, the more they’ll seem like tasks: exhausting.

The greatest method to avoid burnout is to study through activities that you enjoy, such as watching movies. When you study in this manner, you’re not only having fun, but you will also learn new words, and pay attention to how they pronounce them.

A photo of a woman, and a man who’s writing on a paper
Practicing it consistently is an important requirement to learning your target language.

4. Conversations

You can’t merely learn any foreign language by memorizing it. You must practice until it is second nature to you. So, instead of merely writing down words and hoping they stick in your head, make sure you have people with whom you can practice with.

With native speakers in front of you, you’ll be more invested and driven in learning the language. Not only will having a real experience help you remember the phrases since you will have something to associate them with, but it will also stimulate your brain.

If you’re only surrounded by non native speakers, consider setting your phone or other media to the language you’re studying and immersing yourself in it.

5. Classes are counterproductive

Learning your target language in the classroom setting, as much as it is time and money consuming, is less helpful and efficient.

Why?

These classes are taught at the pace of the slowest student, forcing everyone to learn at the same pace. However, this is incorrect, because learning a language is a personal experience. As a result, it’s usually best to learn alone or with someone who can assist you, not slow you down.

6. Identify your goals

The easier they are to achieve, the better.

Begin with smaller, more achievable goals, such as learning fundamental greeting phrases by the end of today or mastering 50 verbs by the end of this week. Setting reasonable and quantifiable goals will not only drive you to work harder to achieve them, but it will also keep you from feeling stressed out and anxious.

7. Consistency is key

It’s simple to learn a language; it’s even simpler to forget it. In a week, you can learn a few words and then forget them.

In order for retention to occur, you must be consistent with your study schedule. Putting forth the effort will be rewarded. You will achieve better outcomes if you study for at least 30 minutes every day than cramming 8 hours once a week. Make a schedule for yourself and stick to it.

8. Think like a child

Children do not put pressure on themselves to learn, and they do not punish themselves for making mistakes. Children are also inquisitive, always wanting to learn, and don’t mind putting themselves in humiliating situations.

These childlike mindsets can assist you in learning more effectively. So, as a child, let go of your grown-up perspective, learn, and be open to making mistakes. Trust us when we say that the outcomes will surprise you.

9. Fluency over Accuracy

Accuracy is the ability to be exact and accurate, whereas fluency is the capacity to express oneself articulately. You don’t have to be 100% accurate at another language to be outstanding at it. When learning a new language, the goal is to be able to communicate effectively.

This does not, however, imply that you should disregard the value of accuracy. It simply means that you shouldn’t be concerned about grammar errors during your learning process as long as you can communicate yourself, even if your speech is broken.

A photo of three people talking
Whenever you learn new words, don’t be afraid to start using and practicing them.

10. Immediately begin speaking

People sometimes wait until they are confident that they can construct a whole statement in that language. You won’t be able to construct sentences unless you start with a few words.

Start speaking as soon as possible.

Include some new words in your sentences so that you will master what they mean and how to utilize them. It’s usually best to get started right away. You’ll be able to say sentences fluently in the future if you master a word now.

Don’t be scared to make mistakes.

When you’re learning something new, you’re bound to make mistakes. They don’t imply that you aren’t learning; rather, they imply that you are doing your best.

Don’t become discouraged if you make mistakes or realize you still forget a few words. Instead, use it as a reminder of which areas of the language you need to improve, and then concentrate on them. You will eventually find yourself chatting naturally in your target language.