How to learn a new language – 7 tips

1. Set up Your Goals

Setting goals brings all kinds of benefits when it comes to learning. It can help with things like motivation, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Goals also help you achieve success.

When you’re first figuring out how to learn a new language, you should focus on some short-, medium- and long-term goals. These can help to give structure and direction to your learning.

For example, your ultimate long-term goal might be to have an in-depth conversation with a native speaker of your chosen language. However, to get there, you might have a medium-term goal of passing an exam, and a short-term goal of learning some specific, relevant vocabulary.

With this approach, you can start to systematically build your knowledge and tick off your progress. Adding timescales to your language-learning goals can help to keep you on track and motivated.

2. Learn common vocabulary 

According to some studies, native speakers know roughly 15,000-to-20,000-word families. By this, they mean a root word and all its variants. For example, speak, speaking, spoke etc. These studies suggest that by learning the most common 700 to 1,000 words and variations, you can learn to speak a language quickly and effectively.

So, when you’re wrestling with how to learn a new language, a useful place to start is by learning some common vocabulary. This can help to quickly build your understanding in a day-to-day setting, allowing you to have and follow basic conversations.

Of course, grammar and structure will also need attention. What’s more, 800 to 1,000 words will only give you a basic grasp. To follow dialogue in movies or TV, you’ll need around 3,000 root words. For a novel or newspaper, this increases to roughly 7,000.

3. Find a style that works best for you

There are many different tools, techniques, and styles you can use when you’re learning a language. Sometimes, it can seem a little overwhelming to try and use them all. Instead, you should try a few and select the one(s) that work best for your learning style.

Whether it’s using flashcards, grammar translations, spaced repetition, immersive learning or any other approach, you have plenty of options. Figuring out the right combination of techniques can help you progress at a rate you’re happy with.

4. Practice speaking Everywhere

A crucial part of learning a language is being able to recognize, understand and reproduce sounds. For many language learners, concentrating on these first two aspects, as well as vocabulary and grammar, takes priority. However, this can result in a reluctance to practice speaking, which can delay your progress.

You don’t have to necessarily go out and start chatting with native speakers right away (although this can certainly help). However, talking to yourself, practicing your vocabulary out loud, and even recording yourself speaking your new language can help to build your confidence.

5. Connect with a native speaker of the language you are learning

Communicating with new people in your target language is often intimidating. You might be scared to make mistakes or feel that your current level isn’t good enough. However, practicing with a native speaker can help you quickly improve your language skills.

As well as working on your pronunciation, you’ll also unlock more natural-sounding conversational elements. It also helps with your listening skills, as native speakers will often speak at a more natural pace.

6Listen to media

To get familiar with the different ways in which people use your target language, you might want to consider watching, reading and listening to as much media in that language as possible.

You’ve probably heard how the TV show Al-hyaba has helped people as they learn Arabic. As well as teaching colloquial language and gestures, it can also help with things like common words and phrases, expressions and cultural references.

There are so many mediums you can choose from this. Whether it’s watching TV and movies in your target language, listening to music and radio, or reading the news, you have plenty of options.

7. Learn the culture 

Tips six and seven are somewhat related. Understanding the culture(s) that use the language you’re learning is often an integral part of the learning process. As well as providing a solid context for your studies, it also means that you can better connect with native speakers.

Language often evolves in line with the culture of the groups who speak it. Therefore, to really master a language, you’ll want to make sure you’re also familiar with the cultural context that goes with it.

Learning a new language can help in both your personal and professional life. As well as adding to your CV, it can boost other skills and improve your cultural understanding. Whatever your language goals are, you can find one of our courses that can help you on your way.

 

✅ https://www.golearnarabiconline.com/

✅ Omar Nassra http://omarnassra.com/

✅ http://www.londonarabictuition.com

About Author

Omar Nassra

I am the owner of this school with over 20 years experience teaching Spoken Arabic. I have developed a system for teaching Arabic with some students becoming fluent within 6 months.

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