6 Ways to Learn a Language Faster |
Posted: January 24, 2017 |
Whether you have a deadline to learn a new language or you simply don’t have the time to dedicate to a lot of study, you can use these following strategies to help you master a secondary language faster. They work even if you are taking a language class in Montreal or another location in person.
1. Stop Translating
Most people begin to learn a new language by memorizing words and translating them back and forth from English. This is contrary to what you want to do because you will never be able to hold a real-time conversation if you have to stop and convert every word. Instead, hear a word in the new language and know what it means without translation. This skill develops over time, but only if you stop intentional translation.
2. Focus on Audio
Many people concentrate on using a translation book to memorize words. Instead, focus on the sound of the word, which is how you will use the language most of the time. No matter how you choose to learn a new language, make sure it includes audio practice. You can also supplement with audio tools such as listening to music in your new language.
3. Add Images to Words
To stop translating words from one language to the other, include images with each word or phrase you learn. When you practice the word for sofa, imagine yourself lounging on your sofa at home watching TV. Associate that word with the image, and memorization will be much easier. You can also use images for learning by creating flash cards with pictures instead of words.
4. Consider the Bigger Picture
Many languages do not translate word for word, so you have to focus on the entire sentence or even the message. Rather than learning a language one word at a time, memorize entire phrases and sentences. This helps you put words into context and you don’t have to worry if there is no exact translation.
5. Continue to Practice
Once you learn phrases and sentences, continue to practice them as you learn new ones. You’ll only keep things in your memory that are practiced. Remember learning a language in high school? You forgot most of it once you finished the class because you never used it again. Even if you aren’t around people who speak the language you’re learning, find ways to practice it and keep it in your memory.
6. Know Your Priorities
You will never remember every word you learn in a new language. You also can’t learn all of the words you need to know at once. Instead, focus on the most important words first. For example, if you plan to visit a country, learn words you will need while you’re there. This might include words about food, travel or questions you may need to ask. As you put these tips into practice, you’ll quickly discover how much easier it is to learn a new language than you thought. You’ll also have more fun on the journey.
Berlitz provides language courses in Montreal with private or group lessons. English and French classes and courses allow students to learn a new language in 10 days.
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