How to Learn a New Language

Are you stuck learning a foreign language?

Learning a new languages comes much more easy and natural to children compared to adults.

However, we that fact should not stop us from trying because it certainly is possible and there are millions of people who can serve as an example.

While children learn new languages faster and with ease, adults can do it do. They simply need more practice and time but anything is achievable with a bit of effort and dedication.

In order to find out what method is best, people have turned to polyglots (those who are able to speak a few different languages) because, after all, they are the ones who have mastered this art.

After various interviews at a TED project, it became obvious that there were 7 basic principles these people followed.

If you would like to find out how to successfully learn a language, read on. Here are a few steps to follow in order to learn a certain language according to those who have mastered various ones.

Set realistic goals.

In order not to get overwhelmed with new words, grammar, and pronunciation, you should always set a realistic goal which is achievable.

A German translator suggests selecting only 50 words to begin with.

You should use them on people first to get familiar with the language and then slowly move to grammar. If you don't start slowly you may seriously overdo it and lose any chance for progress.

View language learning as your new lifestyle. An English teacher with more than 27 years of experience says that consistency is the key to success in language learning.

You should explore different ways to learn a language and stick to the one you can commit to even when you don't feel like studying.

This will bring the biggest change in your language learning process.

Try getting your brain accustomed to the new language.

A Russian translator suggest using every opportunity to get familiar with our target language.

For example, you could make stickers with labels in the new language and place them on objects in your house.

This will ensure you are exposed to the language daily. Also, make sure to watch movies or videos with subtitles in your target language, as well as read children's books in it.

​​​​​​​Take advantage of technology.

What can help you learn some new words immediately is setting your phone language to your target language.

You will start picking up new words without even noticing it.

Or, if you feel like you want to make even greater progress, get an online language tutor who can help you get exposed to the language. 

View language learning as a key to new experiences.

A Spanish translator has a great way of motivating people to learn a new language.

He says we should change our point of view and start looking at the new language as something that is going to bring a lot of fun to us.

For example, we should think about how we could enjoy different countries and the experiences they offer if we only learned their language.

Never think of new languages as a bore or something you must do because you will lose all your motivation.

Never worry about your mistakes.

Mistakes are a crucial part of any learning process.

Our fear of making them can make us unable to progress.

If you are nervous about speaking with a native speaker, try speaking with toddlers first.

You will realize that both of you are at the same level at that they also make mistakes, so why be nervous about it when even kids can't learn a language without previously failing at it.

Make native friends.

No one can help you learn a language better than a native speaker.

Trying to interact with them will bring your language learning to a whole new level.

Online language learning is a great opportunity for this because not everyone has a native speaker they could talk to in their environment.