You want to learn a new language successfully and as quickly and efficiently as possible? Then you've come to the right place! If you speak one or more foreign languages, it is easier to immerse yourself in foreign cultures, meet new people or understand international films in their original language. Almost automatically, you also increase your own career opportunities. The list of benefits of language learning really goes on and on. The bottom line is that you are furthering your personal development.
You think you don't have the time? No problem! In this article, I would like to give you some valuable tips that you can use to improve your language skills easily and almost in passing! Let's go!
1. know your reasons!
Only those who know their goal will find the way! So that you are permanently motivatedSo you should know why you really want to learn English, Spanish, French or a completely different foreign language.
Maybe you want to have an in-depth conversation with a friend in their native language - or simply read and understand a book in the original language. You may just want to impress someone or simply advance your career. A learning a new language has countless advantages! Whatever makes you want to improve your foreign language skills: you should always have it in mind!
2. read books in foreign language
Of course, you need a certain basic vocabulary to read a book in a foreign language. But if you already had English, Spanish or French at school, that might be enough. Even if it is annoying in the short term to have to look up a word more often, it trains your language skills in the medium to long term - and also your General knowledge improved itself!
Tip: If you are reading with an e-reader, you can display the translations at the click of a button without having to constantly flip through the pages.
3. watch movies and series in other languages
Not only books, but also movies and podcasts I consume in English whenever possible. In fact, with most English-language movies and series, the actual performance of the actors comes across much better in their original language. If you make it a routine to regularly watch movies in a foreign language, understanding and speaking the particular, new language, will become much easier over time. Having a hard time? Then just turn on the Subtitle on. This works for streaming services - and for YouTube videos, too, by the way.
4. spend time abroad
You want to learn a new language? Then spend more time abroad. Preferably several months! Because so you "force" yourself to get involved with the local language.
Here are a few suggestions to help you improve your language skills abroad:
- Language travel
- Aupair
- Work & Travel
- Internship abroad
- Volunteer
- World trip or longer vacation trip
- "Home office" as a digital nomad abroad
5. talk to people in the language they speak
You don't have to have a perfect command of a language to be able to converse with others in your native tongue. Rather, seek a challenge and use the vocabulary you have available. With every sentence you or your counterpart speaks, you can only learn. To increase the learning effect, you should always ask questions if you are unclear. And in case of need, there are always hands and feet to communicate!
Notice: Do you know how incredibly likeable it makes you to others when you make every effort to speak their language, even if you don't speak it yet? Try it out and you'll see 🙂
6. set aside daily study time with learning programs
Nothing is more boring than sitting in front of the computer for hours cramming vocabulary. But even already 15 - 30 minutes a day with a learning program is enough to significantly improve your language skills. I currently just take 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening to learn a new language with the Babbel App*. This makes learning a new language fun and still leaves time for the usual things in private and professional everyday life.
7. find a learning partner
Ideally, you are not the only one in your environment who has decided to learn a new language. Maybe you can find someone who would like to learn a new language with you. Then you can push each other and you converse with each other in the respective foreign language. In any case, learning together makes your plan more binding and makes it more difficult to back out unnoticed.
Maybe you have someone among your friends who already speaks the language fluently? That would of course be perfect for the greatest possible learning effect!
8. lead instructive self-talks
It sounds silly, but it's no joke! In fact, if you don't have a study partner, talking to yourself in the language you're learning is one of the best tips for improving your foreign language skills. Simply apply what you have learned and babble something to yourself. Learning by doing is the motto! Because with every sentence you learn or speak, your language skills deepen.
9. integrate what you have learned or need to learn into your daily life
You want to learn the new language as quickly as possible? Then surround yourself with the language every day, whenever possible. This will help you learn and internalize individual vocabulary words or entire sentences. much more intense and effective.
Read books and watch movies in the foreign language, glue small PostIts with the appropriate translations on the furniture and objects in your home and write a letter to a special person in the new language.
10. learn like a child
Children don't care if they pronounce a word wrong or three mistakes in one sentence. You don't put yourself under pressure to do everything perfectly.
"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
Albert Einstein (more under Error Quotes)
And that's how you should approach it if you want to learn a new language as quickly and effectively as possible. Anything that brings you closer to this goal helps. This also includes unpleasant and supposedly embarrassing moments.
Learning a new language made easy!
It sounds so banal, but if you want to teach yourself a new language, it's best to speak, write or listen to it every day. The regular Learning with Babbel (Click here for the courses*) has helped me personally the most.
I hope that this article will help you to improve your language skills and develop personally. One last tip, in case it didn't come across in the text: have fun learning the new language. Then you're sure to succeed!
Do you have any questions, suggestions or further tips for learning a new language? Then I look forward to your comment.
Stay inquisitive,
PS: The Blog for personal development plays an important role on the way to a more sustainable society. Learn there, for example, why you should read regularly. Have fun!
