Don’t worry about making mistakes!
- First and foremost, relax!! Many people get very nervous when they are learning another language and are afraid to speak it. When you have an opportunity to use the target language–whether in a classroom, when you are traveling, or when you are around friends who speak the language you are learning–try to focus on what you CAN do and don’t worry about what you CANNOT do. Take a deep breath and try out what you have learned so far.
- Along with the first point, focus on simply communicating and don’t worry about making mistakes. People too often don’t want to say anything in another language because they are afraid that they will say something wrong. Don’t worry too much about grammar or pronunciation but just try to get your point across. In other words, get your meaning across and don’t be too concerned about whether your grammar is correct.
- When you are a beginning learner, start by building your vocabulary. When you learn a new word, practice it in many different ways: repeat it, use it in a sentence, write it down, visualize it. If you have an opportunity, use it in a real context. For example, if you are traveling abroad, go to the market and look at all the fruits and vegetables on display. You can start by reading the signs for the different items, then say the word out loud, and then you could practice by buying something.
- When trying to communicate, don’t hesitate to use gestures and facial expressions. For example, you can point at things you want to buy in a store or you can indicate with your hands whether something is big or small. You can also show with your face if you don’t understand something.
- Ask for help! Start with learning some expressions in your target language that help you when communication breaks down: “Could you repeat that, please?;” “I did not understand that;” “Could you speak a little slower?” Or: “I don’t know that word.” Native speakers are often not aware of the fact that they may speak too fast or use idiomatic expressions that learners don’t understand. They are usually happy to make things a little easier for you!
- DON’T memorize conversations or dialogs from textbooks. They are often unnatural and stilted and don’t reflect the language that is used in the real world. In real life, no one will talk like that! Instead, learn the building blocks of conversations: How do you say hello? Goodbye? What is a polite greeting? What expressions are used to ask for directions? How do you order a cup of coffee?
- Use all your senses in the learning process. Many people have a preference for learning in a particular way and may favor, for example, visual or aural input. However, it can be helpful to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. When you are learning new words, use images to remember them, write them down, and say them out loud.
- Immerse yourself in the target language by using all available resources: read online news sources; listen to podcasts; watch videos and movies; watch tv shows and sports events; listen to music. If you can travel to the country where the target language is spoken, practice with the locals by buying food at the market or in a restaurant; read the local newspaper; go to a concert; watch local tv. Get actively involved in using the language as much as possible!
Discover the world through language 