Ways to help you effectively learn a language faster!
The goal behind the invention of language by homo sapiens almost 100,000 years ago was communication. This is why to this day many people want to learn languages and master them quickly; you want to visit a new country, have a job interview, communicate further with your friend whose native language is Arabic. Many branching answers from the same trunk: communication.
Learning to communicate effectively in the fastest way possible is the goal of many language learners. For this reason I have compiled a small list of steps which can bring us closer towards achieving this goal
- Tell your surroundings you're learning a new language, and kindly ask for their support
Especially if your friends are speakers/learners of the language that you are attempting to learn.
Go up to your group of friends and your relatives and say: "hey! you know, I started learning x language! " You might hear words of encouragement, or perhaps new tips to help you, they might even give or recommend a good learning book! Who knows?
- Stand up for the grammar/pronunciation Nazis
There's the concept of support, and these people play the opposite. Laughing at your pronunciation and grammar, in some cases without even correcting you.
You might've not noticed this, but your comments on my language skills are negatively affecting my learning. Can you please stop that?
some people might've not noticed this before, so they will apologize and try to be less mean and more helpful. While those who do it knowingly and willingly sigh might not be a great person to practice with after all.
- integrate this language into your daily life
even if you're not in a surrounding which speaks it
for example, when you've learned the numbers in x language, try going to the grocery store and practicing with prices of different commodities how was 53 in Arabic again? Ah! it's thalatha wa khamseen
Additionally, try to remember the names of different things as you pass by them. This will help you remember names of things and numbers faster, and consequentially become more confident in x language!
- Talk to yourself seriously, yes
Talking to yourself in the mirror, practicing different situations where you can use different words while being exposed to different situations. You will have the translator on your phone ready to help, and you'd have an opportunity to stitch sentences together and practice pronunciation on your own pace. Talking to oneself has some negative connotations in some cultures. However, we see that there are many positive outcomes from this practice.
- learn frequently, and create a routine
creating a learning routine helps your brain become more receptive towards influx of information. Training it for the intake of two bundles of information (i.e two lessons) a week allows it to sort vocabulary and solidify grammar before the time comes for the next session.
Additionally, familiarizing yourself with a certain time of day, and a certain setting to study a language creates a pattern in your brain. What this pattern does is that it allows your brain to be more receptive by habit to receive information more easily and systematically.
These were some tips that I'd given my students that I thought to be worth sharing. What are the suggestions/comments which you think are relevant/should be added to this article? please mention it in the comments!
Happy language learning everyone!
September 20, 2017
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