How To Learn A Language By Living In a Foreign Country

Are you considering moving to a foreign country?

No matter if it’s because of work, partner, or experiencing new things in life, moving abroad is one of the most challenging and yet most exciting things you’ll ever do.

From your different daily habits to your new home address, living abroad changes you completely.

Even though it can be stressful and wonderful at the same time, many people who decided to live in another country say that everyone should experience it, at least once.

Not everyone has a natural talent to immediately get used to new circumstances and surroundings, especially if they don’t speak the language.

That’s why, in this post, we will give you some tips on how to get used to living in a foreign country depending on your language knowledge.

Even though it can be hard at first, living in another country for some time is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Whether it is because of that awesome job opportunity you are given or moving to your partner’s home country, living abroad is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the locals’ language.

Yes, it can be hard at first because, all of a sudden, everything is different. 

That’s why you might consider making a checklist before you start packing. 

Even before making a checklist and depending on your proficiency level, we suggest you take the following actions.

Living In a Foreign Country As a Beginner

If you are planning to live in a foreign country without any previous knowledge of the language, that’s going to be a hard road. Not impossible, but hard.

Imagine the following situation: you are starving, and you want to buy that delicious sandwich. But here’s the catch: the seller doesn’t speak English, and you don’t speak the local language at all.

Well, we’re sure that you’ll use signs of body language to show him that you want to buy the sandwich, but that’s not the point. 

The point is that you have to spend twice as much time explaining something instead of simply saying it.

Not knowing any word is like being thrown into the sea, and you can’t swim. What will you do?

Learn The Basics Immediately

Learn the basic words and expressions as soon as possible.

This is the case if you have already moved to the country. Think about the situations you might get into one day. Since you have to use the language all day, learn some common words and phrases, such as greetings, numbers, asking for directions, or vocabulary that concern shopping. 

Think About Learning The Basics in Advance

If you still haven’t moved, you have an advantage. Give your best to learn useful words that can help you get through the day. It means that you have to learn words that can be used in different situations.

Consider taking lessons as well. Find a suitable Justlearn tutor who can help you with the language and get you into the country’s culture, customs, and, generally, their way of life. This way, you can get used to your new life, even before moving there.

Learn About The Country You’re Going to Live

Learn about their culture and customs. Every country is different and has its own customs.  To avoid any awkward situations, it might best if you learned as much as possible about them.

When Intermediate Learner Moves Abroad

Intermediate language learners are in advantage compared to beginners. They don’t have to worry about communication with the locals because they already know some common expressions. They probably already know how to greet someone, do the shopping, or ask for help.

Their new life will be much easier thanks to their reading, listening, and comprehension skills.

Here are some tips you might consider to make the best out of living in a foreign country as an intermediate learner.

Make Friends

Because foreigners always try to learn their language, it leaves the locals absolutely impressed and eager to hand out with them. We suggest you also find someone among native speakers and try to befriend them. 

This way, you will improve your language skills and become more advanced.

Practice regularly with them, and don’t get discouraged if you make mistakes. They will understand you and help you correct them.

Write Down Words And Phrases

Even if you can talk to native speakers about some common topics, there is always a place to learn something new.

We’re sure that you will hear some new word or phrase every day to avoid forgetting them and carry a notebook with you. Write down every word or phrase you’ve heard for the first time.

At home, review your notes and try to use those phrases as much often as you can to get used to them.

Use Every Chance to Learn

Living in a foreign country allows you to learn a language every day. While walking in the park, look around. Read the signs on the streets. Watch the people around you. Read daily newspapers.

Use every chance you can get to learn something new.

What About The Advanced Learners?

When your proficiency level is around B2, people think you will speak like a native in no time.

Honestly, that’s a myth. 

It’s much more challenging to get the C1 or C2 level of proficiency than to start from scratch and here’s why.

Beginners learn simple and commonly used phrases. To them, everything is new, so they improve quickly. When they reach an intermediate level, they use those phrases in simple conversations, eventually boosting their vocabulary. On this level of proficiency, they progress a little slower.

When they move towards the advanced level, they don’t make progress at all. C1 and C2 level are mainly academic knowledge, which isn’t necessary for everyday conversations.

So, they see that they can manage perfectly without any effort, and many of them who live in a foreign country actually don’t try learning something more.

But, it doesn’t have to be like that with you.

We’re giving you some suggestions on how you can improve your language to native fluency.

Read a Lot

When you are on an advanced proficiency level, you don’t come across new words and phrases on a daily basis. 

To improve your vocabulary, you have to read as much as possible. Read everything that comes to you - short stories, newspapers, blog posts, and any other printable or non-printable document you can think of.

Practice In a More Academic Way

Reaching a high-advanced level means that you have to practice the language academically, even if you don’t plan to go to college.

It means that you have to write essays, theses, presentations in a more complex way.

As for the spoken form, make speeches, practice them, ideally in front of native speakers, and ask for possible corrections, if needed.

Expand Your Vocabulary

When reaching an advanced level, it’s all about expanding the vocabulary.

However, memorizing new words and phrases isn’t only about reading different books, newspapers, and other resources.

You have to find other ways that can help you boost your vocabulary.

Try learning new words and phrases in a fun way. Play games like Scrabble or Cockney Rhyming Slang, for example. You’ll surely come across some words you have never heard of.

Not only will you improve your language skills, but you will also make new friends online.

Final Thoughts

Whether you arrive in a foreign country as a beginner, intermediate, or advanced learner, it’s going to be challenging, especially the first several days.

However, day by day, you’ll start getting used to the new way of life, people, jobs, and neighborhoods.

You will also start using the language without fear.

But, you have to remember that even if you notice that you are making progress, don’t stop there. Keep learning, practicing, and absorbing new things.

In case you feel insecure, or you simply want to get every chance to practice the language, don’t hesitate to book a lesson with a Justlearn tutor.

So, are you already living in a foreign country? What are your experiences?

Please share it with us in the comments below!