We’ll show you how to learn languages in today’s post. Along with some helpful study techniques, we’ll discuss language learning books, apps, and more.
The fastest way to learn any foreign language
You must be organized and have a clear goal in mind if you want to learn a foreign language quickly. So, begin by establishing your goals. Consider the level you want to reach. Additionally, you’ll need some motivation, so pick something enjoyable that inspires you to keep learning.
This means that you should select a language learning tool with which you are comfortable. It could be a private session, a group lesson, or an online audio course. Set yourself some weekly objectives so you can challenge yourself and be more motivated.
To avoid becoming frustrated if you don’t reach your seemingly insurmountable goals, don’t push yourself TOO hard. You should start using your new language in regular conversation. Investigate the culture of the nation where that language is spoken if you can.
Last but not least, see learning the language as an investment in your future rather than a chore that you must perform. Learn more about the quickest approach to picking up any language.
Language learning for communication: acquisition is best
Language learning and language acquisition are different processes. When you were a baby, child, and subsequently a teenager, you naturally picked up your mother tongue. You can learn a language as an adult by studying its rules, grammar, vocabulary, and other aspects.
Which do you believe learns more effectively, adults learning grammar or youngsters learning their native languages? Children! All of the information is being absorbed by their brains without them having to learn any linguistic rules.
They learn their language subconsciously. Thus, they are not aware of grammatical conventions as they do so. This is why learning a language is the best course of action. It’s more organic. As a result, you should pay more attention to skills like speaking and listening than rules and pointless activities.
Find out more about language learning.
Learn foreign words with these 4 simple mnemonics
Any learning strategy that helps knowledge stay in human memory is a memory device. A mnemonic, then, is a method for aiding our memory of specific information or enormous volumes of data. They could be expressed as a rhyme, song, acronym, picture, word, or entire statement.
They are crucial for learning a language because they can aid in vocabulary memorization in a foreign tongue. The 4 primary mnemonics are as follows:
- Exaggeration is a powerful way to learn new words; the more strange the visualization, the more probable it is that it will stick with you.
- Learn new phrases by using motion: Adding movement or activity to your visuals will assist create a connection between the ideas you’re attempting to recall.
- Put two things or circumstances that belong in distinct contexts together to learn foreign words through unexpected association.
- Learn new terms by being emotionally involved: when we hear the news that affects us, we remember it for a very long time, if not permanently.
Find out more about using mnemonics to memorize foreign words.
Communication skills in a foreign language
Focus on your reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities when studying a foreign language. Compared to simply learning the dry principles of grammar, it is much more enjoyable. Making it a habit to read and write in your target language is, therefore, ideal.
Additionally, even if it’s just for yourself, you should endeavor to speak and listen to the language you are learning. Like a vocalist, you may listen to a song and then mimic the sounds you heard. Or, you may mimic a joker by listening to jokes and repeating them.
Or, to make it even more enjoyable, you may practice your creative writing. Create comedic writings, such as tongue twisters, songs, poetry, and comedic stories. You might also journal and write about the things that inspire you. Set some enjoyable goals for yourself, such as little projects you can finish.
Learn more about language communication abilities.
Speaking practice: talk to yourself
Speaking is one of the most important talents you should work on, if not the most important one, as we just mentioned. Why? Because hearing comes first while learning a language, followed by speaking. Therefore, we ought to emulate that innate and natural learning process.
Listening to music, the radio, TV shows, etc., is a good place to start. After that, make everything talk. Read what you’re reading out loud. Write loudly if you’re going to write. Repeat back if you’re paying attention. Then begin conversing with yourself!
If you’re by yourself and know that your main goal is to improve your speaking abilities, you won’t come out as crazy. Don’t only consider things in a foreign tongue. Talk! Sing! Shout! Make those difficult-to-pronounce foreign sounds louder.
Speaking to yourself has the benefit of eliminating the requirement for a conversation partner. You may therefore do it whenever!
Language self-study books: how to pick a decent one
Textbooks should only be used as a reference. However, they shouldn’t serve as your primary language learning resources. This is why making a really good choice is crucial. A good book should emphasize conversation and be written in the intended audience’s language.
Images, conversation, clear grammatical explanations, useful examples, cultural notes, and a ton of quick real-world readings and audio should all be included. Not just a collection of unrelated random phrases. Additionally, it ought to give you beneficial speaking and writing activities.
However, even if a book has a CD, don’t expect to learn proper pronunciation by simply reading it. You should instead watch native speakers on television or the internet. Then, either find someone to talk to or just talk to yourself outside.
In other words, a good textbook ought to be both serious and entertaining. Learn how to choose a textbook for a foreign language.
Why do people still use bad study methods and language apps
For those who attended school more than ten years ago, the teaching methods for foreign languages that are employed in schools are typically quite poor and out-of-date. This implies that those who were taught using those methods may still be doing so.
That is why people continue to employ subpar study techniques. We develop habits as children that carry over into adulthood. Additionally, the marketing industry encourages us to think that we can learn anything in a matter of months. Simply said, that is impossible.
The applications are another option. They are frequently both addicting and ineffective. They want to keep you glued to the screen and convince you that you are making rapid advancements. They are also physically at your fingers. That is why they are still in use today.
You should, however, learn new ways to learn. Watching movies, listening to podcasts, reading brief texts in the target language, and getting together with people who speak the language you’re learning will all help you learn it more effectively.
Of course, some of the theories will need to be learned, so you might need an instructor, a textbook, or an app. Just make sure they’re good and properly instruct you.
Do language apps work? Fun vs results
As we previously stated, applications can be equally as addicting as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. This has to do with company strategies that aim to keep clients on board and never let them go. They can do this by encouraging you to create daily goals, affirming your judgments, giving you continual praise, using email and phone alerts to keep you on track, and other strategies.
All of those things may seem fantastic, but they don’t truly demonstrate your communication abilities. These apps aim to make language learning enjoyable for online students because, in most cases, they don’t have access to other language-learning resources.
Because they are unable to find internal motivation, learners anticipate that the apps will be enjoyable. Apps offer learners extrinsic motivation as a result. But learning is not just enjoyable. It ought to be efficient, and even if you pick up a few grammar and vocabulary points, using an app won’t provide you with much speaking or writing practice.
Receiving criticism should be one of the key objectives of both writing and speaking. Additionally, apps rarely offer genuinely positive comments. Apps may be entertaining and tempting, but they won’t magically make you a fluent speaker. Study up on language learning applications.
How to teach on Italki
This part is for teachers who want to learn how to instruct in Italki. Italki is the biggest online community for language learning that links teachers and students for one-on-one online language instruction. Italki teachers choose their pricing.
Additionally, you can work from home or anywhere and teach on your own. Italki also manages all payments, saving you the hassle. Motivation and a profile photo are all you need! Additionally, you must create an introduction video in which you discuss your teaching abilities, provide background on yourself, your teaching style, and your pupils, as well as highlight your availability.
Simply avoid reading and choose a good background. These are just a few suggestions: take breaks, log in frequently, start inexpensively and easily accessible, be patient and don’t rush, experiment, only teach one student at a time, and make sure your pupils are satisfied so that they can give you a nice review.
One last piece of advice: choose high-quality earbuds or headphones with a microphone! Your main resource and closest ally while teaching will be them. Find out more about teaching on Italki.
The best headset for online language classes: Jabra Evolve 20
Although it may seem simple, having a good set of headphones and a good microphone is crucial! You and your tutor both need to be able to hear clearly if you wish to learn a language online. Even though you won’t be singing in the stadium, you still need to be able to be heard well.
This is why the Jabra Evolve is the ideal headset for your online language courses, and we highly suggest it. These headphones have a great microphone and sound quality. Both the microphone and the headphones are designed for passive noise cancellation; through the materials they are constructed of, they operate to block out sound waves from the surroundings.
It’s also quite comfortable and reasonably priced. For about $50, you may purchase them. If you believe the price is excessive, keep in mind that the headset is your primary working tool, so it is crucial to spend money on a high-quality model. Examine the Jabra Evolve 20 in its entirety.
12 ways to boost brain power for language learning
You need to lead a healthy lifestyle if you want to maintain brain health and enhance your memory. Here are the top 12 strategies to sharpen your mind for language learning:
- Engage in regular exercise;
- Snooze enough;
- Eschew drinking;
- Eschew smoking;
- Consume a healthy diet:
- Consume nuts and seeds;
- Consume fruit, such as berries like blueberries and strawberries;
- Consume dark chocolate
- Consume entire grains
- Consume vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, and tomatoes;
- Try taking general dietary supplements, such as zinc or vitamin B12;
- Try nootropics that are intended to increase cognitive function.
Discover more about how to increase brain power for language acquisition.
Best nootropics for language learning: a polyglot’s review
The easiest strategy to strengthen your memory is to adopt regular, healthy habits. But nootropics—also referred to as cognitive enhancers or smart drugs—are dietary supplements that boost mental abilities, including motivation, creativity, and memory.
The most often-used psychoactive substance worldwide is caffeine. It is added to numerous sodas, energy drinks, and pharmaceuticals in addition to being naturally present in coffee, cocoa, tea, kola nuts, and guarana. Caffeine, however, might be dangerous and addictive.
One of the top stacks available is Mind Lab Pro nootropics if you want to take a supplement. The Universal NootropicTM, Mind Lab Pro, targets brain regions associated with language to improve communication and information processing across the board.
A secure nootropic supplement is Mind Lab Pro. The only clean-label nootropic supplement of its kind, it contains no artificial colors, preservatives, GMOs, gluten, caffeine, or additives. Premium vegan Plantcaps are completely clean, even the capsules.
