Tips to learn a new language

If+you+want+to+learn+a+new+language%2C+these+tips+can+help.

Savannah Brown

If you want to learn a new language, these tips can help.

Learning a new language can be difficult and frustrating, but it also has its benefits.  

It is scientifically proven that learning more than one language encourages critical thinking, improves communication, attention, cognition, and expands your memory. It also has professional benefits since it improves your work and academic opportunities.  

Now the question is: how can I learn a language? These tips may help you in the process. These tips can be used in any language, and any language instructor will recommend at least one of these. 

  1. Act like a child: When you learn a language from the beginning, you are like a child. By this, it does not mean that you are going to cry or throw tantrums, but learn how children do. You must make mistakes and learn from them. You must be bold and get out of your comfort zone. 
  2. Watch TV series and movies in the language you are learning: This is one of the best ways to learn a language, as it develops hearing and speaking skills. It helps you understand words in that language and know their pronunciation.  

It is recommended that you start with programs for children as they contain easy-to-learn vocabulary, and as you understand, update your content to more adult options.  

  1. Read books or the newspaper: This will allow you to make real progress, not only in reading and writing but also in speaking, as it expands your vocabulary and helps you memorize how words are written. As said before, it is recommended to start with the content for children and keep updating as you progress. 
  2. Stick Post-it Notes throughout your home: It may sound silly or even illogical, but when it comes to learning everyday vocabulary, it is remarkably effective. Take a note and write the name of an object in the language you are learning, paste it to the object, and say the word every time you see the object. You will repeat the word so many times that it will stay in your head. 
  3. Listen to the radio, music, or podcasts: At first, you will not understand anything, but over time you will start to take words or even complete sentences. As a bonus, you could also take that song that you like so much and translate it word for word. 
  4. Talk: Try to meet people who speak that language and do your best to communicate with them. This will not only help you to develop your pronunciation and hearing skills, but it will also help you to receive constructive criticism that will allow you to improve. Remember that you are a child, and you must make mistakes to learn. 
  5. Take your time: We all have our pace when learning, some learn faster, while others take longer. If you have been studying for months and still do not see progress, do not stress, just keep trying and working hard. 
  6. Change the language of your phone and apps to the language you are learning since you spend most of your time on your phone, this is going to help you get used to the language and get a richer vocabulary easily. 
  7. Language Programs: As soon as you have a basic knowledge of the language, you can start learning a bit of grammar through a program. Some of the most popular and recommended programs are:  
  • Duolingo: It is free, but you can use the premium version, which costs $7.00 per month.  
  • Babbel: Unfortunately, this program is paid. It has a wide variety of prices, ranging from $9.05 a month to $199 for life.  
  • Memrise: You can use the free version, which has a limited learning process. If you prefer the premium version, prices range from $8.49 per month to $119.99 for life.  
  • Pimsleur: The first week of the program is free, after that the program is priced at $14.95 per month. 

Learning a language can be a challenge, but it is not impossible: you just need to put a lot of time and effort into it.  

If you want to know about how the brain learns a language, you can check out this article: https://dana.org/article/how-does-the-brain-learn-language/   

En español: https://blackmanvoice.net/2022/02/01/consejos-para-aprender-un-nuevo-idioma/