Language teachers are often asked how long it will take to become proficient in a language. Learning a language is like going to the gym: there’s no overnight success. It takes hard work and sustained effort, but over time you’ll definitely start noticing results.
Here are five language learning tips to boost your chances of becoming a more successful language learner.
1. Listen to News, Podcasts, Movies, and TV Shows
Pick something you enjoy learning more about, such as technology, cooking, sports, or nail art. By exposing yourself to more content in the language you’re trying to learn, you’ll give yourself the best chance to increase your vocabulary and assimilate native intonation. For instance, if you’re watching YouTube videos on baking, you will acquire vocabulary specific to baking, like baking implements, ingredients, and units of measurement. A study by Joe Barcroft indicates that a learner needs, on average, 10 encounters with a new word before it can be memorized and used appropriately.
2. Keep an Organized Diary of New Vocabulary
As you come across new vocabulary, write it down in a notebook or a Word file. Organize your entries with sections for single words (e.g., ladle = large spoon for serving soup) and complex phrases (e.g., "paint the town red" = go out and celebrate). Tag words with qualifiers like “formal,” “informal,” or “academic.” Take note of collocations and colligations, which make text or speech sound natural and native. For example, the collocation “fully aware” and the colligation “want to” are essential for language fluency.
3. Take Language Lessons and Review Your Work
Engaging in structured language lessons is a crucial part of learning a language. By booking sessions with a skilled language tutor, you can actively use and practice the new vocabulary you’ve accumulated. Tutors provide invaluable feedback on context and usage, ensuring that you understand how to apply words and phrases correctly in various situations. Additionally, they can introduce even more new vocabulary, further expanding your linguistic repertoire.
After each lesson, it’s important to review your work thoroughly. Completing homework assignments and writing on topics you’re familiar with using the new vocabulary helps to reinforce what you’ve learned. This practice not only aids in memorization but also in the internalization of the language, making it a natural part of your communication. Consistent review and application of new words will significantly enhance your journey in learning a language, leading to greater proficiency and confidence.
4. Practice Speaking Regularly
Practice makes perfect, and speaking a foreign language is no exception. Find a native or fluent speaker through Facebook groups or language exchange partners. You can also book structured conversational practice on platforms like Langu. Practice speaking in front of a mirror and mimic the intonation from podcasts or movies.
You may have seen this classic Christmas advertisement. What made the old man such a good language learner? He was always speaking, even if only to himself or to the dog!
5. Reflect on Your Progress and Identify Common Mistakes
Review your vocabulary lists monthly to appreciate your progress. Identify frequent mistakes, such as misuse of articles, incorrect tenses, or linking words. This awareness helps you focus on areas needing improvement and enhances your language learning journey.
Daunting though it may seem, learning a language is certainly great fun and an altogether rewarding and worthwhile experience. To learn more tips and tricks on how to take up a new language from scratch or to improve your fluency in a language you are already studying, get in touch with any Langu teacher!
By following these language learning tips and incorporating vocabulary acquisition, regular practice, and reflective learning, you can boost your language proficiency and fluency effectively.
