How to learn a language quickly? Five tips from our team
There are many reasons to learn a language quickly. Whether business reasons or personal issues are driving your desire to learn a language as quickly as possible, there are some best practices you can use to maximize your progress. We asked some of our team members for tips on learning a language quickly. Among her advice is everything from independent study to the right language course.
Below you will find our tips for learning a language quickly. Feel free to share your personal experiences with us in the comments.
1. Full use
If you want to learn another language, you have to invest time and effort, and the first steps are the most difficult ones. However, once you reach a certain level of proficiency – which can take days, not months, if you really put your mind to it – not only will learning become easier, you'll also be able to put your language skills into practice. The effort you invest today will reward you for the rest of your life.
2. Lose your "fear
If you are worried that you will be judged for your attempts at foreign language expression and it is this stress that is holding you back, ask yourself the following:
"How do I feel when someone is talking to me who doesn't speak my native language properly? Do I judge this person negatively or am I happy that they are making an effort?"
3. Use the language from day one
These difficult first steps can be overcome most quickly if you use the language as soon as possible. This is even more urgent when you learn the language completely immersed in the country where it is also spoken. Because otherwise you will not be understood.
When you learn the language at home, you need to find a way to surround yourself with it. It is very important to speak as much as possible – get used to the pronunciation of words. Use the media in the language you learned, preferably with subtitles. Sing along with songs in the respective language. You don't have to understand everything, but you will get used to the sound of the language.
4. Use your memory effectively
Two things you should know about your memory can help you immensely when learning a language. First, memory works better when you learn something in context. For vocabulary learning, this means you need to find a method to memorize words.
Secondly: Repetition is the name of the game. If you stare at a grammar table for an hour, you are less likely to commit the content to memory than if you are exposed to the same content for short intervals over a period of time.
Vocabulary cards and language learning apps can help you to remember things. This is especially true if you are learning at home. However, you will not be able to speak a language fluently if you learn words and phrases in isolation to yourself…
5. TOTAL immersion – there's nothing like it
When you learn a language officially, it is taught to you in its ideal form. Of course, this ensures correct grammar, because grammar is the backbone of a language. But wouldn't you much rather speak a more authentic form of the language? A language study abroad is the best solution to learn both the basic structures and the elements of real everyday life.
Real people don't talk like people in textbooks or newspapers. Even on TV you hardly ever hear a language as it is actually spoken on the street.
If you already have a basic knowledge of a language, the best way to quickly improve your language level is to take high-quality classes during total immersion in the language. And immersion is the key word. Just being in a different place may help you pick up the language faster. However, to take full advantage of it, you need to surround yourself with the language.
When you learn a language with ESL, you will live with the language and interact with it every day. A standard course includes lessons in the morning and free time in the afternoon. If you want to learn faster, you can book individual lessons or lessons in small groups (which is known as an intensive course).
When you live with a host family, you are surrounded by the language even outside of the classroom. Take advantage of this opportunity. The more you immerse yourself in local life, the faster your language skills will develop.
Courses at your teacher's home
One course option stands out if you want to make rapid progress in your language skills. With our "at the teacher's home" courses – where you will live and learn with a local teacher – authentic immersion is guaranteed from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep! Yes, you read that right, your own personal teacher will be there for you all day long!
Apart from appointments with a local, there is nothing that will help you learn as quickly as private lessons at the teacher's home.
We think that these courses are the most efficient way to learn a foreign language. Content is tailored to your needs, so you don't waste time on topics that are irrelevant to you.
Learning a language with total immersion abroad is the fastest way to become fluent in the language. We would be happy to discuss this with you!