English Fluency

Have you just decided to learn a foreign language? Do you feel like you’re too old? Too young? Not smart enough? Are you enrolled in a class and going nowhere? Is grammar killing you? Do strange words and weird letters make you break out into a cold sweat of confusion?

Fear not.

Learning a foreign language is a daunting task for anyone. Here’s ten tips (plus one extra) that will help anyone learning a foreign language to reach their goal faster while having fun and making friends along the way.

1. FALL IN LOVE…

…with something about your target language. Whether it’s movies, music, animation, craftwork, martial arts, dance, authentic painting, architecture, food, it doesn’t matter. Make sure to find something about the language and culture that you unequivocally love.

Think about it. We’re constantly fascinated with what we love. Love holds a certain shimmer. It takes something that would ordinarily seem like hard work, and turns it into a joy.

The fact is, learning a foreign language is hard work. It’s rewarding, worthy, and if done correctly a ton of fun, but none of that comes without the labor. So make sure you have a good reason to want to get involved. All you need is love.

2. UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC OF YOUR TARGET LANGUAGE

Every language has it’s own sound. Words and sentences in French could not be mistaken for Russian, or Chinese. Whatever language you are trying to learn, it is best to get your ear attuned to the sound of the language. A wonderful way to do this is through listening to music and watching movies in your chosen language.

If possible, pick up the first ten to fifteen lessons of any Pimsluer audio series for your chosen language. Your average Barnes and Noble or Borders will sell the first ten or 18 lessons of practically any language that Pimsleur carries. If not, you can easily purchase Pimsleur online.

The magic of the Pimsleur method is how it gets your subconscious tuned to the rhythm and feel of the language.... [continues]

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