Every language learner will eventually develop their own vocabulary building techniques. This particular one is something I use heavily myself. As such, I heartily endorse it as one way of acquiring a more robust language skill set, especially when paired with regular lessons using computer-based language training.
First off, a disclaimer. This isn’t something that will blow you away. In fact, it will likely leave you underwhelmed. Regardless, it’s a technique I’ve used over and over to integrate full phrases into my treasure trove of language skills. If you’re lucky, it might do the same for you.
1. Rent, download or buy foreign movies in the target language with written translations at the bottom of the screen.
2. Once you come across a scene you really like, then pick out your favorite character in that scene.
3. As you play the scene, act along with it, echoing the same statements your character speaks.
4. I suggest you do it wholeheartedly, acting along as if you’re in the movie, interacting with the other cast.
5. Repeat over and over until you can successfully recite the dialogue.
That’s it.
Using this technique, you can integrate tons of new phrases and sentences into your language bag. You’re not just spouting random verbiage either. Since there are translations at the bottom, you can easily understand what you’re actually saying. Because you’re mimicking the actor’s actions, pacing, tone and mannerisms, you’re getting very good hints about how a native speaker might actually say those particular statements. Even better, you’re doing all those correct things – you’re practicing the right way to talk.
What about the 20 phrases? That was an estimate. You can probably learn more or less than that, depending on how long and involved the scenes you practice are. Personally, I only practice one long scene a week. I do it over and over till I get it right. Your own preferences, of course, may vary.