For New Year's, some people resolve to crunch off those extra Christmas calories, others strive to stop smoking. And perhaps some finally hope to sit down and learn a new language. Be it Spanish, French, or even Mandarin Chinese, the decision to learn a language begins a lifelong journey that takes time and dedication. To help stick to that resolution, here are a few tips to get the most out of quality time spent with your new language.
Keep Study Sessions Short
Keep time between study sessions short. It is important to have contact with the language as often as possible. This means six twenty-minute study sessions per week will be much more effective than a single two hour session. Regular contact helps things stick and like with exercise, it's better to aim for small, reachable goals.
Imagine going out for a two hour run the first day of a weight loss resolution. You would probably ache for the following days and not run again until about a week later. Result: motivation would fizzle and you'd have little to show for all your good will. Reach for smaller, regular achievements and the positive results will make you want to push on.
Invest in Tools for Success
Not everyone can afford a private tutor, but that's OK. You don't need a native speaker to learn a language. But some basic tools will help you succeed. For do-it-yourselfers, a self study kit, reasonably priced provides the freedom to set your own pace. Make sure the kit includes an audio CD or cassette, as listening is a key part of learning any language.
Just think of how much time you spent listening to your first language before being able to speak – between two and three years! Plus, to pronounce words correctly, listening and repeating are essential. A good kit includes grammar explanations, set phrases for quick motivation-boosting results, organized vocabulary, and both listening and speaking exercises.
For those who enjoy the contact that another language brings, find out if your nearest university offers night classes. While often more costly than a kit, classes offer needed structure and a sense of obligation to attend, both great for people with lacking organizational skills.
Practice New Language Out Loud
Even if you decide to buy a self study kit, it is important to learn a language out loud. Going back to the sports analogy, like in dance, you have to train your muscles to make the right movements. Trying to learn a language without ever speaking it would be like trying to learn ballet by simply reading about the movements.
Train the muscles in your face and throat to make the sounds. Foreign languages often contain a whole range of sounds not found in English, so you'll need feel the language as well as listen to it. This also gives you more confidence when you finally get a chance to show off your new skills.
Use Foreign Films, Music
What do most people do to relax? Watch TV, go to the cinema, and listen to music. All things that can easily be done thanks to the Internet. Remember how important it is to do regular language study? Spend a couple of sessions watching a TV program, see a movie in its undubbed version (English subtitles are OK, but listen to the dialog too!), or buy a CD of a hit band in your new language. Such activities make language learning fun and open the doors to a new culture.
Don't expect to understand much in the beginning; simply try to pick out a few words. Just listening to the language will help improve comprehension and later on, will help build your vocabulary as you begin to guess the meaning of a word from its context.
Practice, Goals Build Confidence
Keep in mind that learning a new language is a lot of work, but it can also be a lot of fun. Regular contact with the language keeps your mind on all that new vocabulary and sometimes strange new structures. Setting mini goals can help build confidence, so divide and conquer. Aim for new vocabulary one week, then perhaps a new verb tense the next.
And most importantly, enjoy your new knowledge. Reach out an embrace entertainment in another language. What better way to reward your hard work while fueling the desire to keep going?
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