10 Tips to Jump Start your Language Learning
by annalaura brown
So you recently started learning a foreign language or you would like to learn one but you are stuck in a rut or you are frustrated because you dont seem to be going anywhere fast.
Here are 10 tips to help you along the way and to make it easier for you to get a quick start.
1. Get some Disney or other movies, which you have already seen and watch them in the language, or with subtitles. If you are learning French or Spanish this will be easy since most DVDs have subtitles and voice overs in these languages. However, if you have chosen a different language you will need to do some searching and possibly purchase an international DVD player which allows you to play DVDs in Pal format. Another alternative is to seek out movie theaters in your city, which play foreign films, or to rent foreign DVDs. Most larger cities have at least one theater, which plays foreign films on a regular basis.
2. Go to the library. Look for easy reader books in the language and begin reading. Some larger libraries also have foreign language easy reading books or Disney books in foreign languages. Begin reading and you will be surprised at how much of it you will understand.
3. Get some childrens music in the foreign language. It will be easy to sing along and it will help you to internalize the language. Just like reading you will understand more than you realize.
4. Do an Internet search. The Internet has an abundance of foreign language learning sites. Focus specifically on those, which offer basic explanations of grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary.
5. Try to find a pen pal with whom you can communicate in the language via email. To get in touch with someone, try posting to the forums for the about.com site for the language you are learning.
6. Try reading the news or magazines online. Although they are obviously more advanced. You can go through and write down all of the words you understand and using the pictures, you will surprise yourself at how much you will understand.
7. Take advantage of AltaVistas Babel fish translation feature. Although the translations are not perfect, it is a fun tool. Use it to translate one of your favorite sites and then read the translation to find patterns in the language.
8. If you are lucky enough to know someone who already speaks the language, practice with him or her. Dont be embarrassed by your lack of knowledge. Chances are the person will be happy to help you.
9. Take advantage of online language learning forums. Use them to post your questions. Write down sentences then post them and ask for help in correcting them.
10. Practice speaking with your dog. This may seem weird, but it is perfect because dogs cant tell the difference and it gives you a chance to voice your language out loud without embarrassment.
AnnaLaura Brown is a successful team leader in an international organization. She can be contacted through her website http://www.scentedcandlesclub.com. She also runs an ecourse on learning french through the site http://www.frenchlessonsforyou.com.
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