Tips for Learning a New Language

It will make the transition to living abroad easier and allow you to do simple everyday tasks with less fuss. Whatever method you choose for learning a language, it is important that you keep practising as much as you can.

Read our blog to discover some useful tips that will help you master a new language in a different country.

Enrol on a language course

Beginning a language course is a great way to get to grips with a new language, but it could be expensive. You can make friends with others on your course and take part in group activities to help you learn and make the most of your course.

If you’re set homework in between lessons, this will become an incentive to keep up with your studies. Many of these courses are held online nowadays, but it is always useful to practise speaking a language when you see people face-to-face.

The learning environment provides many advantages, such as learning correct pronunciation from a native tutor and attending scheduled lessons.

There is often a lot of choice in selecting a language course.  Ranging from basic level to intensive, structured lessons are a good way to start learning while you prepare for your move overseas.

Make use of online resources

Nowadays, you are no longer limited to how you can learn a language, as online apps and tutorials, dictionaries and other resources are easily accessible.

One of the best things about studying languages remotely is that you can learn anywhere and at any time you like. You can also go at your own pace, without having to feel the pressure of keeping up with a class.

Before you move, take some time to find resources that you think could work for you. Simple exercises, such as memorising grammar and verb rules, can help you speak the language much easier.

Another benefit of online resources is that many of them tend to be free.  This means you can learn a language without leaving yourself out of pocket.

Speak in the language as much as possible

When you first move abroad, practise your language skills as much as you can to refine your technique and develop your vocabulary.

Conversing with locals can also help improve your pronunciation and accent. Try it in relaxed environments, like paying at the supermarket or ordering a coffee at a bistro. You’d be surprised at what useful phrases you learn from everyday interactions.

Other ways to internalise a new language is to watch TV or listen to music where this language is spoken. Or you could opt to change your phone settings to the dialect to further challenge you.

Over time, you will start to become more confident when communicating with locals. Although it can be tiring to think, speak and listen in a different language all the time, it can benefit you in the long run. And things will get easier as you get used to the new language.

Make friends with the locals

One useful method for teaching yourself a language is to make friends with people who speak it natively. This gives you the opportunity to converse someone who can correct you on small mistakes you’re making.

If you move abroad, you could choose to live in a homestay. This enables you to see how ordinary people speak in the comfort of their own homes. It also encourages you to use the dialect in every aspect of your life.

The key to becoming confident in the destination language is perseverance. Use it as much as possible and try to think in it too.

Having a social community in the new country can make you feel more settled. New friends can give you tips on cultural norms and some of the best places to experience in the city.

Utilise flashcards

You may remember these from your days of revision to aid you in remembering important information.

An advantage of flashcards is that you can take them with you wherever you go, making use of them when you have a spare moment to practice. There may even be some applications on your mobile device that allow you to write flashcards and offer additional support on tricky pronunciation.

During the learning process, don’t be afraid of making errors. This is bound to happen when you are learning something completely new alongside juggling everything else in your life.

When you’re hanging out with friends, give them your flashcards as a way of making you practice new words. Additionally, try and remember your motivation for learning in the first place, as this can give you the extra push to keep going and become fluent one day!