DEVELOP YOUR LINGUISTIC SKILLS! Bored during quarantine? Here are a few steps to help you learn a new language! 1. Make a plan of action First thing you should definitely do is figure out what your goals are- what you want to learn, and why you want to learn it. If you're looking for some inspiration, we’ve listed a few of the most commonly spoken languages in the world below.
Although these suggestions are the most well-known languages worldwide, it's important to consider your interests. Perhaps it's about learning a language which can better help you understand a culture, or can add to your historical knowledge. At the end of the day, it has to be something that you are both interested and committed to- otherwise, there is no way to realize any success. Once having picked a language, it is crucial to set realistic, attainable goals. Research shows that having written down objectives typically increase chances for success. Here are a few examples to help you figure out your goals.
2. Learn the most common words When you think of learning a language such as English, it can become pretty overwhelming, considering the fact that there are more than 600,000 words. Thankfully, you don’t need to learn all of them. In fact, 50 percent of the English Language is made up of the same 100 words, and 90 percent is made up of the same 1000. By focusing on these words, you can ensure that you don’t waste any time on words that aren’t as necessary to the language. 3. Study smart This is a key component to ensuring your understanding of a language. You have to find a technique that works best for you- and that will surely differ from person to person. Take flashcards, for instance. Some people have a lot of success memorizing words and translations through the use of this process. However, you may find it more convenient, to for example, use an app such as Duolinguo or FluentU. Try these different techniques, as you never know what's going to work best for you! 4. Implement the language into your daily life Whether this be as simple as watching a TV show in your chosen language, or having a conversation with someone who speaks it well, it is critical to speak/hear your language on a regular basis. The goal here is not for you to understand all words, but to understand a few. This will help you familiarize yourself with these sounds, which would help you in the future. 6. Learn about the culture Understanding a country's culture, history, or current events, will surely help you in the process of learning a new language. It can help you recognize reasons for which people say what they say, or do what they do. Although it may feel like a waste of time, it will be truly beneficial in the long run. It will ensure that you don’t make any silly, and potentially offensive mistakes in the future. 7. Test yourself Everyone is different in this regard. Personally, I know that having, for example, a big test come up is the only way that I’m truly going to be able to get myself to start studying and taking it seriously. There are numerous tests that you can take to validate your knowledge, in a variety of languages such as French, Spanish, and German. These tests will surely keep you motivated, as they are a main reason to ensure that you keep focus on your language, and don’t slack off as time goes by. A few of the most popular tests include the ACTFL OPI, which gives you a score which ranks you from “Novice-Low” to “Superior”. This is a very well recognized test, and is available in multiple languages. 8. Have fun! We tend to learn most when we’re having fun- so it's very important for you to do so. Every so often, why not switch it up? Play a new game, or watch a few videos in the language that you are interested in. Say for example, you love sports! What better way to learn your chosen language through watching sports online? To be completely honest, you’d be very surprised at how quickly you can learn/memorize words in a language when you do so having fun.
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