Adults don’t have the ability to learn languages as children do, according to experts. That information is now completely false and any and everyone can learn any language of their choice whether it is Chinese, Japanese, or Icelandic. It is all possible, and here is how you can learn any language and never forget it.
1. Spend more time listening than speaking
It sounds strange to hear that you should be listening more than speaking if you are trying to learn a language, but it is actually for the best. Listening is far more important for a language learner because you do not have the ability to fully recognize all of the sounds or pronounce words properly and listening will give you that ability. Speaking a lot in the beginning may sound fun, but it can often lead to problems with pronunciation and bad habits that will have to be corrected later on. Listen first because you don’t know what you are supposed to sound like and you have no idea that you are mispronouncing things or speaking with a poor accent.
2. Immerse yourself in the language
Immersion is by far the best way to learn a language. You don’t have to be inside of the country to be immersed in the language because you can create your own immersion environment at home. Immersion means that you are constantly being exposed to the language whether it means people are talking to you in the language or you are listening to music, radio, or television in the language. Make an effort to expose yourself to the language consistently because that will develop your listening comprehension and pronunciation skills. You could just listen to some music in your target language while you are working around the house or you can watch a foreign movie on the weekend.
3. Believe in yourself
The most essential factor in learning any language is the mere fact that you believe in yourself. There are a lot of myths going around about whether or not adults can learn languages and they are all completely false. Adults can and do learn foreign languages every day and many of them speak with perfect grammar and pronunciation. It was previously believed that adults had lost their ability to pick up languages, but recent studies regarding the neuroplasticity of the brain show that it is possible. Just know that you can learn the language regardless of your age, educational background, or skills. People become fluent everyday and the process will eventually become effortless for you as well.
Read also – 4 Hardest Languages to Learn
4. Connect with native speakers
Connecting with native speakers is another way to learn the language. You can probably meet native speakers online by visiting websites like LiveMocha, Facebook, or even Twitter. There are people that are open to language exchanges and those that are also open to providing online tutoring and coaching services. Obviously, there are also many opportunities to meet native speakers in person if you can find some in your area.
5. Visit the country if you can
There is no way to beat actually visiting or living in the country if you can. This is not always an option for everyone for any number of reasons, but it is great if you can visit the country for a little while. It’s like immersion by force because you will be surrounded by the language no matter where you go and it will help you acquire the language even faster.
Learning a language is possible for everyone, but it just takes some effort and dedication. The best thing you can do is immerse yourself in the language, meet with native speakers, and visit the country. There is not one method that works for everyone, so you will have to figure out what works best for you.