Pointers for Learning a Foreign Language

Aug 26
09:27

2008

Jacob Lumbroso

Jacob Lumbroso

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In today's world, knowing another language or two has become very, very important - even essential in some cases. Foreign communication surrounds most people daily, and people desire to obtain other languages to increase their brain power, grow as people, or for more whimsical reasons.

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In today's world,Pointers for Learning a Foreign Language Articles knowing another language or two has become very, very important - even essential in some cases. Foreign communication surrounds most people daily, and people desire to obtain other languages to increase their brain power, grow as people, or for more whimsical reasons.

While these apply to any language, the growing importance of the Chinese economy, Brazil, Latin America and the growing importance of African French speaking countries is especially noteworthy.

Five top tips and bits of advice when it comes to mastering another language are noted below. Employ them, and I guarantee you will be seeing some results in no time.

To start, do not forget that acquiring an additional speech takes lots of active listening. It is in this same manner that a baby learns to talk by using his ears and studying his world.

There are many ways to learn a language by ear: via CDs, computer programs, text books and more.

Even if you have only just begun, use, use, use what you have learned so far! If you practice what you pick up, you will cement it to your memory. Your studies and all your hard work will not be forgotten or in vain if used often.

Give yourself permission to mess up! We humans gain knowledge of things far more speedily when we allow ourselves to make mistakes. Do not criticize or beat yourself up when you make flubs in studying another tongue; the more you make the more they will set you right and such permits you to immerse yourself more rapidly. Everyone makes some mistakes in the beginning!

Study up on the lifestyle. Each land has its unique behaviors, traditions, and methods -- learn about their customs. Page through books on the subject to become aware and bash any stereotypes you might have had prior to researching a language and its nation.

Prepare yourself for bad things to happen. You should not wait until a crisis situation to comprehend why you should know the language of a land you might visit.

While this is an extreme example, if you are touring China, for example, and see a horrible but secluded accident, how do you expect to get the victims help when the Chinese speak limited English?

Some individuals learn a lingo effortlessly and without lots of instruction. They pick it up on the job or were raised bilingually, so a second language comes fairly naturally for these elite.

For the rest of us, though, tips like the ones listed in this writing are necessary to stay encouraged and reach your foreign language learning aspirations.