Are you the kind of woman who has a strong desire to travel? Imagine being in another part of the world. Picture yourself in France as you wander the cozy, little streets. You visit the Louvre. You grab a bite to eat at a cute little pastry shop. As you travel from arrondissement to arrondissement, you sigh and decide you love Paris and the beauty it has to offer.
What’s the only thing hindering your fun as you walk up to order a chocolate croissant? You don’t speak a word of French and you’re starting to regret not taking an introductory course before your vacation.
Do you want to avoid being in this situation? Learn a new language!
As Americans, we are privileged to be fluent in a language that has dominated the world. In that sense, we don’t necessarily need to learn a second language. But it’s still beneficial for us to stand in the shoes of those whose mother tongue is not English.
In fact, studies have also shown that learning a new language is not only essential for communicating in countries that speak that language, it is also incredibly beneficial for brain development. A 1997 study with third-grade students showed that dual-language immersion correlated with significantly higher scores in math and language on the Metropolitan Achievement Test.
When we become fluent in another language, we not only appreciate others who have to learn a second language, we also appreciate another culture. Expression comes in so many different sounds and colors, why not explore some of them? Here are five steps you can take to learn a new language.
Nailing down grammar is an important part of effectively communicating. Understanding the syntax, conjugations and tenses are very important when learning a language. Without a good grip on the structure of the language, you’ll sound incomprehensible.
Did you know that 90-93 percent of language is covered by just over 2,000 words? Knowing the common words and expressions within a language is a key way to learning language faster. Before you jot down all these words and memorize their definitions, keep in mind that phrases and words have many functions within a language and dictionary definitions may not always be applicable.
If you are learning Spanish, consider reading books in Spanish, listening to Spanish music and watching telenovelas. It’s not enough to learn just a couple of words one day and switch back to English – this will slow down your progress. If you want to be fluent fast, you first have to listen to fluent people in different contexts and situations. You might catch a word you know that is being used differently. Take note of alternative definitions of words and understand how those definitions are appropriate to their contexts.
Along with listening, you also have to speak the new language. If you’re a college student, make friends with international students who speak the language you’re learning. You’ll learn new words and have friends who can correct your mistakes and make suggestions. Make sure they know that you’re a student of the language, that way they can be less judgmental if you accidentally say something embarrassing.
Language isn’t just words and symbols – it’s a reflection of the region from which it originated. How people express themselves in their language says a lot about their country’s culture and history. Spending time in a different country means you are immersed in the culture, allowing you to have a better understanding of why certain phrases and expressions exist within the vernacular. You can’t say no to a vacation opportunity – it is for educational purposes after all!
