Little and often – this is often said of eating but is so true for learning a language as well! If you can do something with the language every day then it will really help.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – we all do it! Actually, mistakes can be a great way to learn and often we remember something better because we got it wrong the first time.
Read –There are many books and short stories written for language learners. Some have the translations in them too so you can see how well you are understanding it as you go along.
Listen and watch – these days it is so easy to access different languages. Check out foreign language shows and films on streaming services and put on the English subtitles. Listen to music in the language you are learning.
Experiment – if something isn’t working, then change it! All learners are different and what works for one won’t always work for another. Try a few different things and find what works for you.
Set yourself achievable goals and targets – you are unlikely to master a language in a few weeks, but you could set yourself a goal of ten sentences to learn in a few weeks, then add a few more to it. My little and often method will really help here.
Passive learning also counts – we think we have to be doing to learn but having a foreign language radio or music playing in the back group or going to the country and hearing it will really help. You will be training your ear to the sounds of the other language.
Have a go – especially if you visit a country where the language is spoken. You may not be perfect, you may not be fluent, but you will definitely feel good if you are understood!
Learn from a human – apps and websites are great as a starting point and as a support, but you will inevitably come to a point where you need to ask some questions or have something explained. A good teacher is invaluable here.
Learn from a human – language is used by humans to communicate with humans. We learn so much from speaking with another human, there are many cues we pick up on to aid understanding. Plus, a human can speed up and slow down, repeat and explain as much as you need them to!
Practise with a friend … or a family member – having someone learning alongside you can be really helpful. You can test each other and practice together, swap notes and quiz each other. It can be a great motivator.
Keep a positive mindset – try and keep the negative comments out and tell yourself you can do it. Positive learners are successful learners.
Enjoy it! – Learning a language can be inspiring, interesting, fulfilling and above all fun.
