Learning a new language shouldn’t be straining. As much as possible, you need to keep your learning journey fun and memorable.
There are many simple yet effective tricks to learn your host country’s language fast. You can even integrate these into your daily life while studying abroad.
If you want to get comfortable speaking a new language, follow these simple tricks to get started:
Indulge in Local TV Shows
Watching local TV shows gives you an insight into conversational words and phrases. You’ll also see the actors’ facial expressions, tone, and gestures. All these are vital when understanding word meanings.
Listen to Music From Local Artists
What’s a better way to learn a language than to jam to upbeat local songs? Listening to music enhances your perception of the language through tempo and sounds.
Read Translated Books
Find a book originally written in your language. Then look for its published translation. You’ll understand the semantics of the language because book translations aren’t always direct word per word.
Place Labels on Your Belongings
Mark your items using local words or terminology. This will make you familiar with nouns in your host country. It can help foster knowledge in parts of speech too.Â
Engage in Casual Conversations
Don’t be afraid of enunciating words wrong. Keep your mind open about your pace and don’t pressure yourself.
Keep a Word Journal
Buy a notebook and create your word journal. To make it challenging, try to write using your host country’s language.Â
You can also use the journal to jot down words and add their meanings. Make it personal so you can track your progress along the way.
Take Short Online Quizzes
Online language quizzes are a fun yet educational way to pass the time. Just grab your phone and search for short quizzes as practice.
Subscribe to Podcasts
Similar to music, podcasts are also a fantastic way to get familiar with words. It’s also like joining a conversation between two local speakers. Make sure to play podcasts at a nice speed to grasp each word.
Befriend a Local
Having a friend in your host country can help you in many ways. They can also assist you when you’re out traveling.Â
Instead of having them speak for you during interactions, ask them to teach you. As your friend, they’ll be willing to help you learn the language.
Use Language Translation Apps
Language apps are great tools for quick translations. But some apps offer language learning services for a fee.
Apps such as Duolingo can help you learn basic language skills. Google translate is a nice app too for direct word equivalents.Â
Learning a new language can be a challenging matter. Fortunately, there are simple yet effective ways to learn a new language fast in a fun way. Learn more about living abroad with our articles here at MSM Unify.