9 Tips to Accelerate the Process of Learning any Language
As Edmund de Waal once said, ‘with languages, you’re at home anywhere.’ It’s unsurprising how knowing another language may represent a bridge for establishing personal connections or facilitating a quicker immersion in a new society. However, learning a new language requires an eclectic skill set and methods. Therefore, having the right strategies to learn a language is crucial to boost the learning experience. I remember when I first moved to Costa Rica in 2015, I was focused so much on my inability to speak Spanish properly that I felt like I was dumb. I had to use my gesturing skills to survive — Don’t ask me if I speak sign language now! Despite these challenges, I was motivated to learn Spanish for multiple reasons, including immersing myself in the Costa Rican culture and being successful in my classes. Five years later, I can fluently speak Spanish and four other languages.
Now during this pandemic, while most of us are at home and have a flexible schedule, it’s the best time to acquire such an important skill as it’ll pay off later. As a language lover, I wrote this article to provide tips to those who aspire to learn a new language. The purpose behind your motivation might differ from the one I had, but if you follow these tips, you’ll speed up the process of learning any language.
Tip 1: Know what motivates you to learn this language
This tip is crucial because it keeps you focused on the reason you want to learn this language. Having a strong purpose behind the attempt to learn a language will keep you from not giving up soon. I frequently receive messages from people saying how they started learning a new language, but they gave up. They often have the same excuses: ‘I have no time’ ‘This language is not for me’ ‘I have no one to practice with’, … you probably know the rest. Perhaps the purpose was not strong enough to keep them making progress. Maybe you want to learn a new language because you want to study or because you want to date a girl who speaks that language. No matter what the purpose is, stay focused on it.
Tip 2: Make learning this new language your favorite hobby
Learning a language should also be about having fun. If you don’t enjoy the learning process, it will be boring, and you may end up giving up soon. However, incorporating the desire to learn the language into every activity in your life can make a significant difference. This strategy has worked for quite a few people, including myself. For instance, if you’re learning Spanish and reading is your hobby, you can start reading your favorite book in Spanish. If you like music, learning some reggaeton or salsa songs would not be a bad idea. The same strategies can be applied to movie lovers; maybe it’s time to change the language in your Netflix shows.
Tip 3: Be comfortable with the uncomfortable
Learning a new language often comes with discomfort, but you’ll also realize that the improvement happens when you are out of your comfort zone. You won’t always understand the meaning of what you hear or read. When I started to learn Portuguese, my biggest challenge was changing all my devices’ language into Portuguese. I felt very limited initially because I could not understand my phone’s basic settings and use it efficiently. But, in the long run, I learned hundreds of new words and expressions.
Tip 4: Make yourself some friends who speak the language
Sometimes you won’t feel motivated to learn a language until you find someone who shares the same interests. Being a member of a language club or joining a community where they speak the language you want to learn is very useful. By participating in clubs’ activities, you’ll find other like-minded people who can share their stories with you and how they managed to overcome the challenges you may be facing now. Make friends or find a peak performance partner who can offer helpful tips to boost your level in the language you are currently learning.
Tip 5: Stay bold and curious
Being in the mood of practicing and improving your level in that language is rewarding. I know a friend who usually stops every random person across the street and asks if they speak French to have a conversation. I am not saying you should ask anyone to practice with, but you must be bold and curious to learn all the time. There are plenty of people willing to help you progress in that language, but sometimes you don’t ask because of your fear of being rejected.
Tip 6: Have your dictionary handy — vocabulary is the link of the chain
Links are to chain what vocabulary words are to a good sentence. If you are learning a new language, it’s essential to know the most common words and expressions in that language. Nowadays, it’s easily possible to look up any words or download a dictionary on your phone. By having your dictionary handy, you’ll be able to look up and save new words and expressions in your favorites.
Tip 7: Don’t worry about how you sound
Most of the time, the goal to sound perfect and the fear of making mistakes hold you back from improving your level in that language. Data show that kids learn languages faster because they don’t worry about making mistakes. Keep in mind that not having the perfect pronunciation doesn’t mean you’re dumb; making mistakes will take nothing away. If you stop worrying about how bad you sound, you’ll be able to practice freely and improve your skills.
Tip 8: Practice consistently
Since the learning process is gradual, it requires a lot of consistency. The more consistent you are while you are learning a language, the better your level improves. Practicing 30 minutes a day is more efficient than practicing 6 hours only once a week. Every time you practice, you build on your previous practice sessions, which helps you become better.
Tip 9: Be patient with yourself
Learning a new language requires a lot of patience. Always remind yourself that the language is not yours, and you are trying hard to speak it. Don’t expect yourself to be perfect in the beginning because making mistakes is a part of the process. Frustration and perfectionism are among the biggest obstacles to learn a new language. Remember that sometimes you will be frustrated when you feel like you’re not making any progress. The results of practicing a language won’t be immediate.
Conclusion
I have already shared these tips with dozens of people, and by applying them, they can speak the language they always wanted to learn. It will not be easy, but if you are committed to it and are patient enough, you will see the results more quickly.
For more content on this topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at marcpresume01@gmail.com or follow me on Instagram Cospira_Travels
