In our increasingly interconnected world, we often find ourselves interacting with people from a wide variety of cultures and languages. Naturally, it is becoming more and more important to be able to communicate in more than one language as a result. Many Americans are fascinated by the apparent ease with which Europeans can switch from one language to another, and regret not learning to speak a second or even third language in childhood. Fortunately, it is never too late to begin learning another language.
The first step is to realize that language learning takes time, especially if you are looking to actually speak the language and not just memorize a few phrases from a phrase book. This means that you have to become dedicated and determined. With time constraints, you must be realistic about what you can accomplish. If you are boarding a plane in a month for a business meeting in a foreign country, focus all your effort on learning key vocabulary and phrases. If you have more of an open schedule, take the time to understand how the language works and learn how to speak correctly.
Secondly, learn the alphabet of the language. It can be so tempting to skip this step, especially if you are learning a language that also uses the Roman alphabet, but I guarantee you that there are differences in pronunciation. Proceeding without learning these variations is going to make mastering the language much more difficult. Reading and writing are two essential components to fluency, and they are impossible to master without learning to pronounce the letters of the alphabet. Of course, if you seek to learn a language that uses characters instead of an alphabet, instead focus on practicing characters as you learn new words.
Next remember vocabulary, vocabulary, vocabulary. Try to keep a notebook with lists of common words and phrases with their translations. Learn at least ten to fifteen a week, and if you are really ambitious, increase to twenty or twenty five. As you learn new words, use them as much as possible for reinforcement. Test yourself throughout the day: if you see a cat, recall the word for cat.
Be patient with your grammar. Grammar poses the greatest challenge for foreign speakers, often because it varies so much from one language to another. Challenging examples for native English speakers are often the subjunctive, declensions, and tones. As you learn a new grammar structure, it can be helpful to notice what common mistakes native speakers of that language make in English. For example, a Chinese speaker may have difficulty using all of English’s tenses correctly; this is because the modern Chinese languages contain no tenses! Additionally, do your best to throw English grammar out of your mind, the less you try to translate word for word from English to your new language and the more you try to think ‘in your language’, the more successful you will be, and the more you will be understood.
Finally, immerse yourself in the language and culture you are trying to learn. Find a medium, such as radio, news, or movies that you can use to listen to native speakers speak your new language. Even if you do not understand all or even most of what is being said, listening to the rhythm of speech is helpful, and will help to reinforce what you learn. Try to pick out vocabulary you know, and if you hear a phrase repeated multiple times, write it down and learn what it means. If you know someone who speaks the language, they can help in many ways. From lending movies in their native language, to helping you with pronunciation and correcting you when you speak, their input is invaluable.
Speaking a new language is an ability that will never go to waste, and is well worth the time invested. Languages and understanding foreign cultures can help you in countless job markets, not to mention facilitate traveling, and give you a greater appreciation for the diverse world around us. Mastering a foreign language takes a great deal of time and dedication, as does any new skill, but the rewards will repay you tenfold. Taking note of the tips listed above will help you break down what may initially appear to be an insurmountable task, and can help you be successful in the long run. Never before in history have humans had so much contact with so many different people, and now you will have the skills to tap into the present global intellect.