Easy Language Learning: 10 Practical Steps to Overcome Challeng…

So, you’re learning a language. Are you having fun? Or, do you find yourself struggling and on the verge of giving up? Even though it may seem like some people are learning languages like it is the simplest thing in the world, it isn’t. Languages are hard to learn for several reasons. At its core, language learning is challenging for your brain as well as your time management. Learning a language is a bit like lifting weights for your brain. Just like you can’t expect to be lifting hundreds of pounds the first time you go to the gym, you have to build up to becoming fluent in a language. This, of course, takes time. Some of us have more time than others to devote to learning. Lack of time could be a challenge for some people. However, it is important to overcome language learning challenges and be consistent and determined throughout the process. This article will help you get there.

One of the most important things to do when learning a language is to set attainable goals. Assuming that studying a language for 5 minutes a day will get you fluent in a month is not realistic. Having unrealistic goals will result in failure. Instead, decide what you want to be able to do with the language. Do you want to be able to speak with natives about everyday occurrences? Do you only want to be able to understand movies in other languages? After you decide what you want, be painfully honest about what it will take to reach that goal. Make sure to break your goals down into smaller and smaller goals until you have something that you can handle doing. For example, learning 3-5 words a day could be too much for some but perfect for others.

After deciding on your goals, don’t get too excited. Sometimes we like to skip over the boring beginning steps. Who needs the alphabet? Why should I learn the word for the thumb? You do and who knows? You might be in a situation one day that requires you to talk about your thumb. Look at it this way. If you don’t learn the basics, you are leagues behind most of the native children running around expressing their thoughts. It can also be hard for people to understand you if you do not learn basic grammar, sentence structure, and common phrases. If your goal is communication then you are putting yourself at a massive disadvantage by not learning the basics.

One area that tends to get a lot of people is vocabulary. Some might be able to learn vocabulary quickly in the beginning. Others will struggle even to remember simple words in their new language. One of the best ways to learn vocabulary is to learn them in context. Many learners turn to Rosetta Stone or something similar to learn. This is because it does not allow you to translate. Instead, it teaches you words using pictures to provide you with solid word associations.

Another tool that many learners find helpful is Anki. Anki is a spaced repetition app that allows you to learn vocabulary. It will show you a word and you have a choice of when you want to be shown the word in the future. That way, you are helping to ensure that the vocabulary makes it to long-term memory. Memrise and Quizlet are also good apps that can be used to expand vocabulary.

For those of you that like to study by writing the words down. It may be helpful to learn one simple grammar point. Then you can practice writing sentences with the words you are trying to learn. Not only will you be getting practice with the grammar, but you will also be providing context for the vocabulary.

Pronunciation is another challenge for most language learners. It cannot be stressed enough that listening to the language is important. You must first get used to the sound of a language before you can make the sounds yourself. Learning the alphabet is also important as it teaches you how each letter is supposed to sound.

Another valuable exercise is mimicry. Do your best to become the best parrot that ever lived. Watch shows, movies, youtube in your target language and copy what they are saying. When you mimic, you are not just copying the words. Here, the focus should be on everything from the words, intonation, and pauses, to the tone being used. The goal is to be able to say everything like it is said in whatever media was chosen. Have fun with it. Act out the scenes as you mimic them over and over again. Consistency is key!

Language learning should not be a solo endeavor. After all, language is how we communicate with people. So, get out there and communicate! Find others who are learning the same language as you. There are thousands of people learning languages and you are just one of them. So, don’t be afraid to go to meetups, join Facebook groups, use language exchange apps, etc., to find people to help you along in your journey. You’ll be able to meet people at all stages of the learning journey. Some will be able to help you out while others will be able to commiserate with you. Enjoy the process and don’t isolate yourself. You can even see if there are any cultural events that you could go to to meet people. You might even make some friends!

When we first learn a new language it can be pretty exciting but then it gets hard or we feel stuck. This is pretty normal. Typically, the very beginning stage is not super complicated depending on the language. Once you get past the basics, things get more complicated. There’s more vocabulary and the grammar structures are more complicated. Even worse, sometimes you get to the point where you just don’t know what you should be learning anymore. This is your plateau and it suxs.

Remember that you are not alone. The important thing is to keep showing up. Even if you are down to learning one simple thing a day you will still be making progress. Grind through it, and find something fun to do in the language to take your mind off of it. Whatever you do, remember that you will get through it if you just keep going.

Some learners think that they should be learning from a textbook and that is the only resource they are willing to consider. While textbooks can be good to help you get your foundation solid, they are not the only source. Anything made in your target language can be a source to learn from. Some people like to analyze lyrics from songs to learn their vocabulary and sometimes grammar points. Others like to play video games and learn vocabulary from there. Books, news articles, and podcasts are also good learning sources. You get a diversified range of topics that you can learn from. This way, you are not limited to what a textbook wants to teach. You are getting exposure to many things that are useful to you immediately.

It’s safe to say that most language learners are not immersed in the language they are trying to learn. Regardless of whether being immersed or not, these tips should help. Incorporating the language into your daily life is important. This could be as simple as labeling everything in your living space with their names in the target language. Creating conversations in your head can also be a fun way to practice the language on a daily. If you are a forgetful or busy person, setting reminders to study on your phone could also help keep you on track. It could also be helpful to start a journal in our new language. Not only will you be able to get rid of some of the stress from the day but it is also a good way to keep track of your progress. You can go back and look at just how crappy you were at the beginning and how far you have come.

Make mistakes. Learning a language is mostly trying, making mistakes, and learning from them. The best way to learn from your mistakes is to have someone that knows better than you. Someone that has been learning the language for longer than you, a teacher, or even a native can give you good feedback. If you don’t get that feedback, you will 100% make the mistakes you should be making but you won’t be able to fix them. Make the same mistakes for long enough and they will die hard later. It will probably take you longer to unlearn a bad habit than it did you learn it in the first place. Get that feedback. You’ll appreciate it later.

Hype yourself up. You are a rockstar for even starting to learn a language. When you remember a word you’ve been trying to learn, pat yourself on the back. When you finally understand that one grammar point, treat yourself to a small reward. That first time you say anything at all to a native speaker, get your happy dance on. No matter how small you think the milestone is, treat it like a big deal and take pride in your accomplishment. Then, keep going.

There you go. Set realistic goals, build a solid foundation, embrace vocabulary expansion, get over pronunciation issues, get involved in the language community, stay motivated, use a variety of learning sources, incorporate the language into your daily life, make mistakes and get feedback, and celebrate your progress and you will break the language barrier.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment * <div _="@=403,dis=none"><div _="@=404,dis=none"></div></div>

Name *

Email *

Website

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.