The struggle to learn a new language when an adult is real. As per studies, adults find it more challenging to learn a new language than children. Learning a new language as an adult is the best exercise you can give to your brain as it does stimulate all the learning abilities. Have you wondered why a student in the same language class is a fast learner but struggles to say the basics in the new language? It is just that some people are cognitively better equipped when it comes to learning, and it in no way means that you cannot or shouldn’t try.
How to Learn a New Language?
Knowing more than two languages is a skill these days, and most companies are looking for employees with such skills. There are many ways to Mastering new languages, and to zero down to the best is difficult as different techniques work best with other people. Here are a few ways to learn a new language:
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Make new friends
The language you want to learn is not very alien, and there will be a community of people who speak the same language. Find out the festivals of the language and locate one if you could nearby. Visit the community and make friends. Conversing with friends is one of the best ways to learn the language. This way, you can quickly shed your inhibitions and get familiar with slang, mannerisms, and much more. If you are wondering how to learn a new language fast, this is one of the best ways.
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Watch movies in the language
You can learn the language sitting at your home in front of your television set. You just need to see the recommendations online and watch the movies in the language you are interested in. Make sure they are with subtitles. However, do not get carried away with the film. Remember, the goal is to learn the language. Do not hesitate to pause the movie and look up the vocabulary if you encounter some in the film.
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Let technology help you out
Apps like Duolingo can help you learn grammar with a gamified approach. Once you are somewhat confident in the language, you can also change the language setting on your electronic devices to be more familiar in your day-to-day life with the language.
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Do not be afraid to make mistakes
One of the most common barriers when learning the language is the fear of speaking it incorrectly. Remember when you were a kid and just started speaking your native language? I am sure you made mistakes and then when you finally said the right words, you could see the pride in your parents’ eyes. Similarly, the native people of the language you are learning will appreciate all the efforts and appreciate when you say the correct words. Remember you were once the child who knew no language, and you learned it, and you can do it again.
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Elementary school books
The elementary school books of the language can prove to be the founding blocks of the whole process. These books are very helpful, and if you get a chance you should definitely be trying to follow these books.
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Listen to the radio or news of the language
Yes, listening to the news can be very helpful in learning the most formal way of the language. It can help you with sentence formation when you are already familiar with words and vocabulary.
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Go abroad
This one is a bit on the extreme side but once you are confident that you are able to converse in the language, book your tickets and go visit the land of the language. Speak the language. Feel the language. Love the language.
How long does it take to learn a foreign language?
The answer to how long does it take to learn a foreign language is it depends. But then it is a very generic answer, so to answer in detail it would take three months to two years to learn a new language and it completely depends on how committed you are and how strong are your cognitive skills when it comes to acquiring a new language.
Final words
Remember that you are in the process of acquiring a skill and that things will be messy at first. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. What matters is that you be confident and stick to your commitment. In the long run, nothing will matter but you will look back and cherish these moments.
