Tips for learning a new language

There are many reasons to learn a new language. You may be moving to a new country, have business with foreign partners, or just want to try something new. Whatever the reason, learning a new language is tough, but it will get easier over time. Here are some tips to help speed up the process:

Find someone who speaks the language at a native level

Better yet, find someone who speaks the language at a native level and is trying to learn your native language. The experience you will get struggling through a new language at the same time will stick in your mind. Another great benefit of this approach is that you don’t even have to pay tutoring fees. By learning from a native speaker, you will learn nuances and pronunciations that are often missed. Websites and apps exist that can help match you with a language exchange partner.

Practice everyday

Watch a TV show in the language you are learning. Read a children’s book written in the language. Keep some flashcards with a new set of words to look at every day. There are tons of ways to practice, the key is to do a little bit every day. Your brain can forget short-term memorization of foreign words quickly and you need to commit these to long-term memory. Once you become more familiar with the language, this process is easier and faster.

Leave your comfort zone

When learning a new language, you should attempt to have as many conversations with as many people as possible. You’ve probably had experience talking in your native language with non-native speakers where they say something humorous. Well, this is going to happen to you as well. But that’s okay, these mistakes will stick with you and you can use them to master the language.

Choose a small list of words to memorize

Choose words that help you reach a conversational level faster. Flashcards can help you memorize a particular word, but they aren’t enough to fully learn the language. For that, you need to practice communicating with others, watching shows, and reading.

International Translating Company offers both cross-cultural and language training services. Contact us if you would like to learn more.