How to Learn a Language
Picking up another tongue can be exciting and empowering. And these days there are more ways than ever to help you do it.
Up next in Learn a Language (8 videos)
Parlez-vous français? ¿Hablas español? Parli italiano? Well, you'll be able to speak a little bit of each after watching these Howcast videos.
You Will Need
- A lesson plan
- Commitment
- Immersion
- Social networking
- Foreign films
- A foreign dictionary
- Bravery
- Slang (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Find a program
Choose a program. Options include instructional CDs or software, online courses, adult-education classes, language-immersion courses, and private tutors.
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Step 2
Put in the time
Put in the time. You need to devote at least one hour a day to study.
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Language students retain more if they study in short but frequent spurts rather than infrequent, extended periods.
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Step 3
Immerse yourself
If possible, spend at least a few months living where the language you're learning is the native tongue; being totally immersed is the best way to pick it up.
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Step 4
Use social networking
If a sabbatical abroad is out of the question, use online social networking to hone your skills. There are entire web sites devoted to matching up people who want to practice a language with native speakers.
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Step 5
Watch foreign films
Watch foreign films in the language you're studying. It's an entertaining way to get in some extra lessons and learn correct pronunciation.
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Watch the movie once without subtitles, and a second time with to see what you missed.
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Step 6
Get a dictionary
Get a foreign dictionary and memorize the nouns and verbs you'll most likely use -- they're often different from the ones taught in audio recordings and textbooks.
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Pick up some slang. It will help you sound like a native.
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Step 7
Be brave
Don't be afraid to make mistakes while you're learning. Most people will just be impressed that you're making the effort.
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In one study, people who grew up in bilingual households were able to learn twice as many words from a new language as people who grew up in one-language homes.
