5 BEST WAYS OF LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE

Language acquisition is the process by which humans acquire the capacity to perceive and comprehend language, as well as to produce and use words and sentences to communicate.  With the pulse of internet advancement and the impact of globalization, speaking more than one single language is becoming more influential like a necessity. Many people want to learn foreign languages for one major reason; effective communication among different language-speaking people. Communication is important for survival. We access what we need and want through communication for survival purposes. Equivalently, communication only exists if there is a language. Language can be spoken or signed. Therefore, the squeezing of the world into a global village has a strong impact on how people interact and should interact as different language speakers are staying together. Some of the ways of learning a new or another language are; to travel and learn, consume foreign-language media, think in your target language, join language lessons, start using the language frequently and seek out real-life practice.

1.  Join language lessons

Learning a language at school is of the most affordable ways for students who have a low financial budget. Mostly learning a language on an individual basis is expensive. Language classes are readily available in secondary schools and universities. Led by the teacher you will be able to ask questions and improve on areas of slackness.  You can also access language courses abroad. If you have nerves, you can travel to a country where you can learn better your target language. You can also access language lessons online right on your PC or smartphone.  

2.  Travel and learn

Those who have the potential of traveling can leave for a country that speaks their target language. Taking a challenge is what is considered bravery and through the quality of bravery, you never assume things to be difficult for you. Challenge yourself to stay among people who only speak your target language. You will probably within a short time know how to speak in their language and even imitate their slang, jargon, and accent. Learning the culture of the target language also helps to know their language very fluently.  Do not bother learning its grammar at the beginning as this can come later because once have enough knowledge of the language it becomes easy to master its grammatical rules. The advantage of this traveling to the country in which your target language is spoken is that you completely immerse yourself in the language daily. Therefore, it is easier and quicker to learn the language better. You wake up in the morning only to be greeted in the language. You will probably engage in every basic conversation in their language. Just make sure have a little background knowledge of the language before partaking in your learning journey abroad because the language courses abroad are not for beginners.

3.  Consume foreign language media

Devote yourself to the language until you know it better. Crave for anything that would help accomplish your dream in the language. For instance, try to listen to the news in the target language. You can also listen to songs, and watch videos and movies in the language. Should I decide for you to watch Netflix series and movies with foreign subtitles? What about podcasts that interest you in the target language, jokes? You can even watch any programs in the target language such as TV programs or listen to the radio. All these attempts will surely help you to deeply root into the language’s grammar, vocabulary, jargon, etc. Listening will help shape your listening skills and eventually be a good listener.  In addition to listening, reading any literature written in the target language is ideal. Try to read novels, short stories, poems, newspapers, and any other local literature more often. This strategy boosts your vocabulary.  

4.  Think in your target language

From now onwards, if you want to immerse deeply into any foreign language of your choice, start thinking in the language. This will be quickening your mental processing capacity, thus, speaking very fluently. Stop mental interpretation from your native language to the target one because by the time you think in your language you do not allow your brain to process and remember the little vocabulary you have of the target language. Therefore, its vocabulary does not settle rightly in your mind. Thinking and speaking frequently in the language learned to refresh your language vocabulary such that it is too hard to forget since it becomes part of you.  Well, you can also test and improve your vocabulary by attempting to fill in some answers in any grammar test of that particular language. Be eager to study your course in the target language rather than studying the course.

5.  Seek out real-life practice

Sometimes it is recommended to take what I may not call risks in this context. For example, as one way of practicing the language, you may choose to visit a place whether in the city or restaurant, or anywhere your target language is a means of communication. Another scenario is to join conversation communities and participate actively when it is time for interaction. Be attentive and open-minded to learning the language by speaking, cracking jokes, or asking questions in the language. It is understood that one may feel offended or humiliated but the pain is just there for a moment as you gradually get used to their speaking styles and you open your repertoire of vocabulary easily. Nowadays, there are language communities organized on social media e.g. WhatsApp and Facebook groups for teaching and learning any new language. These communities are worldwide based. You are encouraged to join them.  

Conclusion

Learning a new language is a skill that is backed up by knowledge.  Language acquisition requires hard work and time to benefit from it. The following aforementioned strategies will help you learn a new language easier and faster: Join language lessons, travel and learn, consume foreign-language media, think in your target language, and seek out real-life practice.