Learn more about problemsolving with this collection
How to practice effectively
The importance of consistency
How to immerse yourself in the language
When You Can’t Travel to Study A Foreign Language
You can choose a friend who also wants to learn the language. Agree to talk in your language of choice at least once per day or whenever you talk to each other.
Your friend does not have to be a native speaker. But, 10% of your time should be speaking with an advanced or native speaker. Use a dictionary or other tools when you feel the need.
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Learning a Foreign Language: Immersion Traveling
If you want to do some practice before traveling to a country for a 100% immersion, do about 50% conversation practice and 50% with some beginner learning resource.
The non-speaking parts of learning are to supplement the conversation practice, not to be in place of it.
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Speaking the Language
This strategy of learning a new language only works if you speak in the language. If you are only able to spend 50% of your learning time in conversations, invest your time on the important aspects of the language that you can't focus on enough. It will be different for each language.
...
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The Best Strategy For Learning A New Language
- Travel to a country that speaks the language.
- Get a phrasebook and learn a few basic expressions.
- Commit to only speaking in that language from the very beginning.
- Use a dictionary to translate when you feel stuck.
- Hire a...
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'I Don’t Want to Speak Yet'
Although it is scary and hard, immersive practice is by far the most effective. When the person you're speaking with sees that you don't understand, they will automatically try to simplify what they communicate.
If you don't want to speak yet, you can also try reading or watching movies, u...
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Speaking the Language With Zero Ability
Open a translating tool, type what you want to say, translate to the language you want to speak, try saying it to the other person.
If they understand you and say something you don't understand, ask them to write it down and use Google to translate it. It could be very awkward at first, bu...
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When To Hire A Tutor For New Language
If you cannot find a learning buddy ( a partner that is willing to commit to only speaking in a foreign language with you), hire a tutor.
You can also opt for language exchange with people who want to learn your language.
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Learning a Foreign Language: Preparation Time
- Don't wait too long before you start practicing. Most people find it uncomfortable to speak a language poorly and avoid it. Don't think you will wait until you're "ready".
- Going from zero to 100% will require some preparation. 25 - 50 hours are usually enough for a European languag...
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What works and what matters when you're learning a foreign language from zero to a conversational ability.
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Creating a Native Language Bubble
When you land in a country, you usually don't feel confident speaking, so you might decide to start in your native language until you get your bearings.
But you might meet peers and other people speaking in your native language, and if this bubble sticks, you can end up li...
Learn a foreign language: Have fun with it
Think of some fun ways to practice your new language: make a radio play with a friend, draw a comic strip, write a poem or simply talk to whomever you can.
Find ways to embed the language into your life
- Talk to yourself in the new language. Talk yourself through whatever you're doing.
- Keep a diary or notebook in your new language of events of the day.
- You can also record videos of yourself speaking the target language.
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