Description: Language tutor Oliver shares his top tips on the do’s and don’ts when aiming for success when learning a new language.
Despite popular British sentiment, learning a language is so much more than being able to order a pain au chocolat and asking where the nearest toilet is.
Experience Gained
Learning a language is your key to culture.
It allows you to experience country-specific phenomena that may be otherwise overlooked if communicating in your mother tongue.
Learning a language is about making friends around the world and experiencing life in a multi-faceted, three-dimensional way.
It really does exceed one sole manner of living.
However, despite the boost to your international social life, language learning is extremely personal.
It’s about pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.
To be willing to experiment with a completely alien concept but, most of all, it’s about having fun.
As someone who comes from a family whose sole language is English, I understand better than anyone how daunting those first few steps of learning a language is.
What if I pronounce something wrong?
What if the person I’m speaking to doesn’t understand me?
Or, a constant worry for any language student, what if I accidentally insult someone?
But fear not, I’m here to put your soon to be multi-lingual mind at ease.
Below you can find my top tips for learning any language; many of which I would have loved to have heard at the beginning of my 18-year-long language learning journey.
Make Mistakes
Just like any other subject, language learning is based upon trial and error and practice really does make perfect.
However, practising a language happens in real-time and with real people.
In most cases, they know the language better than you do.
But, contrary to popular belief, this is not a reason to be shy to speak.
Use them to your benefit. Speak to them, make mistakes, allow them to correct you and, most of all, don’t be embarrassed or scared to do so.
In all honesty, making those mistakes and experiencing those sometimes-awkward unwanted moments is the best way to learn a language.
Watch TV
I can guarantee language teachers will be the only type of teacher you will come across that actively encourages you to sit down and watch Netflix (in another language of course).
You would be surprised how much watching foreign television shows and consuming foreign media, in general, can aid language learning.
A simple search in the international section of Netflix or Amazon Prime will provide you with a plethora of films, TV series and documentaries all in an array of languages.
You are bound to find something you love. But on the off chance you don’t happen to find your next obsession, what I’m about to tell you is any language teacher’s best-kept secret: subtitles.
Nowadays, many films now have the option to turn foreign subtitles on.
This means you can still watch your favourite TV shows whilst learning subconsciously learning a new language.
Get a Penpal
Whilst learning a language from an experienced tutor is one of the best ways to learn a language, why not practice whilst making friends?
Nowadays, we have a wonderful thing called the internet.
Online, there are plenty of free, secure websites (such as Penpal.Me) which provide the opportunity to practice with people all over the world.
Sometimes, being able to practice what you learn your tutor with someone your own age in a personal and non-academic setting is ideal for students.
There is no pressure and no expectations.
Just getting to know someone whilst practising a skill that will be useful for life.
These are just some of a few ways how you can learn and practice a language.
But, as mentioned earlier learning a language is personal.
So, do what’s best for you; adopt the techniques that feel natural and suit you.
As tutors, we are here for nothing else other than to guide and support your language learning journey and we will continue to do so until you find which learning method is right for you.
As long as you are able to order something other than a pain au chocolat at the end of our time together, we have done our job.
By tutor Oliver. Contact Us