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April 16, 2009

Picking Up A Foreign Language Naturally

When studying a foreign language, it’s natural to run into bouts of frustration. Even with the most dynamic language learning software, the difficulty of understanding the rules of grammar and memorizing the vocabulary does get to you at one time or another.

During these times, it might actually benefit you to take a short break from active studying and look for ways to pick up the language naturally. Instead of following a course, just begin immersing yourself into it more. Try these activities on for size:

Converse in it every chance you get. Try to get into as much conversations using the vernacular as you can. If you don’t come across a lot of folks who speak the language, intentionally seek them out. Find a local community of people who speak it (if you’re practicing Hindu, for instance, find a local Indian community) and patronize their businesses (restaurants, groceries, etc), practicing your skills whenever you come in. Most will appreciate your learning efforts and help you out.

Watch movies and TV shows in that language. Instead of watching another cat video on YouTube, why not spend the afternoon watching entertainment clips in the vernacular you’re trying to learn? You might even chance upon something you like.

Immersion can feel a lot less like studying and more about enjoying yourself. Most of the time, it’s got a social component that makes it even more interesting. As such, it usually feels less restricting and more open, possibly re-igniting your fire in learning the new language.

March 30, 2009

Learning Foreign Language Pronunciations

Mastering a foreign language is usually marked by an ability to utter words and sentences the way a normal speaker would. Even when you’re not a native speaker, you can learn to speak it in a way that comes close to it.

While books, lessons and language learning software offer the best platform for learning a new language, mastering its pronunciation is usually best accomplished by tuning in to those who speak it well. As such, listening to native speakers on a regular basis will be the best activity you can take part in.

If you have access to them, try to converse with native speakers regularly. While it’s fine to practice with your peers on the same level as you, you’ll just end up acquiring each other’s mistakes, most of the time. Native speakers, can easily correct any pronunciation mistakes that you make, apart from being a treasure trove to listen to.

Listening to media in the foreign language – songs, movies, audiobooks and TV shows – are a great way to learn proper pronunciation. However, they usually work best when you already understand what the context behind the material is, so that you can focus on pronunciation. As such, it is recommended that you choose those materials with which you already have context, such as foreign dubs of movies you’ve already seen or English songs translated into another language.

Does that sound hard? Well, it is. Nobody said mastering a new language is going to be easy, right?

March 22, 2009

Finding The Time To A Study A Foreign Language

“I just don’t have the time,” that’s what most people say when the idea of learning a foreign language pops out. In fact, even those who have already started on the path often employ the same excuse as an impetus for quitting.

Truth is, there are plenty of times throughout the day that you can use for practicing a new language, whether you use a phrase book or a language learning software to do it. When are good times to squeeze in a lesson or two?

1. Multitasking

You can read a language book while you’re on a commute, listen to an audio course while performing house chores or even power on your netbook for a quick lesson on your language software while having lunch. Many activities that don’t require much of your mental faculties are prime ground for adding an extra task and learning a foreign language should easily fit the bill.

2. Music and Radio

While working on your PC at home or at the office, you can always access online radio stations in the language you’re trying to get familiar with. Even if it’s not a formal lesson, listening to the way the dialect is used in song can really help you get more familiar with the language as well as see it used in less formal settings.

3. Flashcards

Many people studying language carry flashcards with bits and pieces of the new language written down on them everywhere they go. Anytime you find free time, simply pull one out and get a quick 15 second lesson.

4. Incorporate the Language Into Other Things You Do

If you’re learning French and are cooking at home, why not print out some French recipes and prepare them for your meals? Studying Japanese? How about walking into a Japanese restaurant the next time you’re eating out with your friends. Find a way to integrate the culture of the language in things you’d normally be doing anyway and learn a new thing or two while you’re at it.


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