Learning a new language

Erica Johns and Charlie Wheeler-Osman
Oct 11, 2017
3 min read

Learning a Foreign language

Have you ever sat in a restaurant in a foreign country and thought to yourself, "I wish I could order in this language", because we have! Learning a new language is a huge challenge and it really does take great commitment, but no more than getting stuck into binge watching a TV series or reading your favourite book multiple times. All you need is a bit of spare time and patience, learning a language can be easy you just need the right tools.

Tips for learning a new language:

1. do it On the go(APP)

Do you sit and listen to the radio on your way to work in your car/ listen to your iPod on the train on your commute? Well why not swap for a CD/app that lets you listen and learn. With an app or CD you can learn so much easier by hearing someone else pronounce each word/phrase.

2. dO IT EVERY DAY FOR AT LEAST HALF AN HOUR

When you do something every day for a short while it almost because routine and your brain will slowly pick up on it, if you can do it for longer than half an hour then great but don't overwork yourself!

3. PRACTICE in foreign country as you go (if possible)

If you happen to be abroad when you are learning a language, and preferably in a country where they speak the language you are learning then try it out on the locals, they're your best audience because they can correct your pronunciations and help you out!

4. rEAD ALLOWED

It's not always enough to just read something quietly to yourself, you need to read it out loud whether it's with someone else or not, you can be a judge to yourself. Listen to a tape and hear how they pronounce something then repeat yourself and see how you feel you're doing.

5. read up on pronunciations

Google is your best friend, look up how to pronounce a word, it will give you a breakdown of how to say it in the simplest form!

6. Watch your favourite TV programme in another language/listen to your favourite song in this language

Do you have a TV programme/episode or song that you know lyric by lyric/word by word? Well use this to your advantage, you already know what is coming up in your own language so help yourself learn the words by adding subtitles in the language you require to learn or change the song in the language.

7. write it down

It's great to speak things out loud or read them to try and learn, but were you ever taught in school to write things out, word for word, it really helps your brain take in the words further and therefore helps you to learn them!

8. learn phrases not just words

It's easy to learn individual words but what about when you need to piece them together to form a conversation with someone, for example when you order something? Well, that's simple learn the main phrases you feel you will need, like the ones above!

9. do it with a friend

Learn the language with a friend/partner, you can help each other out, test one another, you could make it more fun for yourself!

10. get a phrase book

There is no better way to learn than to have a phrase book, if you ever get stuck just open it up and should find the phrase you require!

All of these may sound obvious but how many of these have you tried when attempting to learn a new language? Today, it's even easier to learn a language with apps like Babbel, where you can do majority of this list above all in one place on one app!

What are you waiting for? Learn a new language today, sign up with Babbel!

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