LANGUAGE LEARNING
Learn to communicate during your travels!
We have already told you in a different article what an important role learning languages played during our travels, but here we will tell you how you can learn a new language or refresh something that was forgotten.
If anybody had told me earlier that at one point I could speak English almost as good as German and that I could help guests at work with problems in French, I would have laughed. Spanish and Italian were languages I only dreamed of learning. Shortly said, I’m not a language genius when it comes to learning them. Still, I managed to develop different language skills and I’ll tell you how.
First and foremost, you have to be aware that a language helps you connect with others. Whether it happens on vacation when speaking with the locals, at the new job or by helping tourists that visit your city, you will discover how beneficial it is to speak a foreign language.
Often enough, saying a few words, like “Kak dela” to a Russian or a “Shukran” to an Arab, can break the ice and help you form incredible connections with others.
Here are some tips that you can use right away and start learning a language:
1. Make learning a habit
Schedule at least 4-5 hours of “learning time” every week. The best practice is to learn something every day. Write this NOW in your calendar. I know people who are learning German before work.
2. Write down your goals and how you want to achieve them
“I would like to have a conversation with a Spanish person in 3 months, for which I will learn 5 hours every week. I will read Spanish texts, listen to podcasts in Spanish and watch subtitled movies.”
3. Sign up for a Language Challenge
It’s hard for you to find daily motivation? Register now for a 30-day Speaking Challenge, such as Huggins International. I can assure you that you will surely learn a lot during these 30 days and be motivated by other participants.
4. Look for like-minded people
The advantage of the Speaking Challenge is that you will meet like-minded people. Look for them in “real life”. I’m sure there’s someone in your circle of friends or family who wants to brush up on his language skills. Set goals, learn together or think about something the other has to do if you do not meet the goals. Motivate each other.
I do that with all sorts of things with my sister.
In larger cities, you can join groups of people and meet other language learners or native speakers. Language partners can also be found on the internet (more on this in point 8).
5. Find a way to learn which brings you fun
e.g. Read a book and underline all the words you do not know yet.
Watch YouTube videos.
Netflix and movies can also be a great way to learn a language. Did you know that Alex has learned German as a child from cartoons?
6. Learn passively
Set your phone to the language that you want to learn (note the steps to put it back if you cannot handle it) and tag all items in your apartment with Post- Its.
7. Install Duolingo or other language apps
Duolingo is a great way to learn playful vocabulary.
8. Book language lessons online
The internet is full of websites where you can learn languages. iTalki, Verbling and Prebly are just a few of those. The advantage of Online Platforms: you can choose a teacher that suits you and your way of learning. In addition, you are flexible in terms of time and prices and costs are lower than for private language lessons in a school.
You currently have no money for language lessons? On these platforms you will also find language partners who will teach their language in exchange for learning yours.
Incidentally, Facebook is also a way to find language partners.
So, all points checked? Excellent! The first step is done. Do you still have questions or doubts? Do you need a small motivational push? Just write us, we will try to help you!