There are many different reasons for learning a new language.For instance,if you're planning a vacation perhaps in Spain learning some Spanish can be a good start.Or maybe you just moved abroad and married a local woman you may want to speak to your new parents in their native language.
But learning a foreign language can have other benefits."Empathy," is one quality you can gain.How?It becomes easy to understand how foreigners feel when they arrive in a country where the language spoken is different from theirs.Learning a new language also improves one's memory.
How to be successful
Applying the following points can be of great help in learning a foreign language successfully:
● Motivation. You need an incentive, a reason to pursue your goal. Highly motivated students tend to do better.
● Humility. Don't expect too much from yourself mistakes are inevitable, especially in the beginning.People are going to laugh,so keep your sense of humor! The process is more like that of a child learning to walk. You often stumble, but you have to get up and try again.
● Patience. Don't be too hard on yourself.Sometimes you may think you not making any progress until you looked back.
● Practice. A regular routine will help you to master the new language. Try to train every day, even if it only lasts a few minutes. A little and often is better than a lot, but rarely.
Useful tools
Are you ready for the challenge of learning a foreign language? In that case, the following tools can improve your progress.
● Cards. Each has a word or phrase on the front and the translation on the back. If they are not available where you live, you can create your own game using the cards.
● Educational audio and video tapes. This can help you to hear the language spoken correctly. For example, while driving,you can learn the basics of the language of your interest by listening to an audio tape from a tourist phrase book.
● Interactive computer programs. Some of them allow you to record your own voice and compare your pronunciation with that of native speakers of the language.
● Television and the Internet. If there are Television programs in your region that use the language you are learning, why not tune in and see what you can understand?.You can also watch tutorials on youtube.
● Magazines and books. Try to read the printed material in the new language, making sure that your comprehension is neither too high nor too low.
Master the language
Of course, sooner or later you will have to talk to people.Your goal should be to learn to think in the new language, rather than just translating words and phrases from your native language. It will probably help you, too, if you are trying to learn about the customs and traditions of people who speak your new language.There can be no real learning of a language without understanding something of the norms and values of the culture of which it is a part.
Don't be discouraged when your progress seems slow. After all, learning a new language is an ongoing process.
Do you have any plans to learn a new language?
If so which one?