How To Learn A Foreign Language As Quickly As Possible

Some people pick up a smattering of a foreign language on a two-week vacation, and are almost fluent after living in abroad for a few months. Some of us struggle to become truly fluent even though we’ve lived in a foreign country for years. I’m the latter, but because it doesn’t come easily to me, I’ve found a few ways to make it easier. Try the following to learn a new language, or improve an existing one, both in your home country and when you travel to the country where the language is spoken.

Use online resources

There are some great language study options online, many including podcasts and videos - an effective tool to help you listen to the language and learn exactly how it’s spoken in a natural setting.

One of the best options I’ve come across is DuoLingo where you can learn anything from French to Japanese. Another great option is Memrise. Both have free options with a lot of great features.

Take a Class

It’s a big advantage if you can find a class that suits you and a teacher you enjoy working with. Decide whether you want an individual or group class. I’ve tried both, and both have advantages. In individual classes you’ll cover the ground faster and be able to guide the study in the direction you want to go. A big advantage of group classes is that, if your teacher is fairly flexible, you’ll get practice in realistic group conversations.

Language Exchanges

It’s really beneficial to find a native speaker who wants to practice your language. Set up a language exchange where you meet for, say, two hours each week and spend an hour speaking your language and an hour speaking your partner’s language.

This is usually easy to do once you’re in a country, especially if you’re an English speaker. People all over the world like to practice their English and are happy to help you practice their language. If you want to set up a language exchange in your own country, contact your local language school or a college with an international centre to find students fluent in the language you want to practice.

Immerse Yourself

Once you get to a foreign country, either on a short trip or for an extended stay, immerse yourself in the local community. Talk to locals. Start conversations with strangers. Ask questions. Don’t worry about making mistakes. Just jump in and start using whatever language skills you have.

Learn the phases “How do you say this?” “What does that mean?” and, if you need to read and write, as well as speak, the language, “How do you write it?” and ask them often. Make notes on your phone (or into your voice recorder) to record new words and phrases.

Watch TV Or Go To The Movies

It’s particularly helpful to watch a favorite movie or TV series you’ve watched several times before in your own language, but watch in the language you’re trying to learn. I hugely improved my Spanish watching old re-runs of “Friends” that I’d already seen at least a couple of times in English.

Listen To The Radio

Especially regular news bulletins throughout the day. On a slow news day the same story will get repeated over and over again and you’ll slowly pick up more and more words and phrases.

Listen To Songs

Listen to any song in the language you are trying to learn. If it’s a translation (for example, a song in Spanish that also has an English version you’re familiar with) even better. See if you can work out where the meaning has been changed/adapted to fit the melody, and which parts are a fairly direct translation.

Hang Out With Children

Kids tend to use simpler vocabulary and grammatical forms. They’re often easier to understand than adults, and play is a great way to learn words in context, through physical actions, whilst having fun. Kids also don’t mind if you make mistakes. As long as you’re joining in the game, they’re happy.

If you’re living abroad for a while, volunteering somewhere where you get to spend time with kids can be one of the best ways to improve your language skills, and help the local community.

Write a Journal

Try writing a journal in the language you’re trying to master. It will force you to look up words and think about how to phrase things naturally. It will also give you practice in describing what you have done, places you’ve visited and events and situations you’ve experienced, which often form the basis of future conversations.

Even those of us with no natural ability can develop language skills over time, and it’s an incredibly satisfying achievement when you finally hear yourself having a conversation in your second language.

If you are looking for language partners to improve your language skills you can find it on swaplanguage.com.