by Andrej Kovacevic
Learning a new language can be one of the most exciting challenges a person can take. They take time, energy and a lot of practice. Nowadays learning a language can be so much easier in comparison to say 20 years ago. With the added advantages of connecting to internationals via the internet, helpful websites and handy apps, learning a language in 2018 can be a lot more engaging than boring!
There are so many different ways to learn a language, and where some methods work well for some people, others may not. So a little trial and error is necessary to find out which learning style suits you!
In this article we focus on the fastest ways to learn languages, as this is probably what most people want – to learn as soon as they can.
Finding a native speaker is one good way of learning a language fast. If you decide to set up a regular tandem, where you help each other learn each other's languages – even better! This method works as you are in direct contact with an expert and the language, and they will be able to give you instant feedback on how you sound, and to help with any problems. An easy way to find a language partner is via apps such as Hello talk, or Tandem.
When studying a language, you really need to immerse yourself from day one. It is important and recommended to keep up with some study every day, because as soon as you stop, your motivation to study will slowly start to decrease along with the desire to learn the language. A little study every day will keep you going, and really help to make a difference when it comes to speaking the language.
Visiting the country obviously has its perks when learning a language. In this way you will get to see the language in action and how it is really spoken by locals. This is probably the best way to become used to the language in a day-to-day setting and not just from the TV shows or podcasts that you are listening to at home. If you are serious about the language then one of the most useful routes could be to even take a summer internship, job or summer school in that country to further immerse yourself into not only in the language but also in the culture.
Another area where people often struggle with learning a new language, especially the busier people, is routine. They feel that they don't have enough time to carve out space to learn a language, when in actual fact they do, but just don't get down to it. This is the first step in committing to learning a language, and as soon as you carve out a regular time per week, you will be well on your way to learning your preferred language in no time!
To finish, the best advice is not to sit with your head in a book, and rather listen to the language in TV programmes, films, music and to speak and talk as much as you can. Languages are best learned through doing, rather than through reading and studying quietly.
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