There are many polyglots around us, and as you may notice, they are as human as you are. They aren’t born geniuses, they are simply thriving because they have found strategies that work for them and applied them.
You may have moved to a new country, are seeking a job that requires that extra language or maybe it is simply curiosity that is making you want to learn a new language.
Below is a list of the best strategies to help in this journey.
1. Focus on Language Content that is relevant to you.
The beauty of life is diversity. We are diverse in our interests. Some of us like reading news, reading novels, listening to plays, listening to audio books, Netflix and chill haha. Identify what you enjoy consuming and find resources around it in the language of interest. For example, if you like novels, find a novel in the new language, it could or could not be a book or novel which you have already read in a language that you know.
2. Focus on Understanding the message first.
When learning a new language, It is important that you are not extremely focused on perfectionism, that is understanding all the words that are said to you. Focus on the core, getting the meaning of the message first. When you do this, you begin to unconsciously acquire the language. You are then able to give a better response because you understand the message and its context.
3. Use the New Language as a tool to Communicate.
Communicate as much as possible using the new language. Use simple sentences in the beginning. Also focus on enriching and growing your vocabulary. Use the new language daily if possible. There are also many resources, including tool and apps that are available to communicate in this digital era. You can check various tools from here https://www.fluentu.com/
4. Make as many mistakes.
You will realize that you will most likely make a lot of mistakes in the beginning. Embrace these mistakes, they are part of the process. When you get corrections from a language parent or from any other party, take it as a building stone. This only means that you are listening more, learning more and exercising the muscles of the new language.
5. Maintain the Right Attitude.
Your attitude in the process is equally as important as the above mentioned points. When the attitude is right then the brain also cooperates and makes the learning process easier. When the attitude is wrong, a mental barrier is already created which impedes our learning.
“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
Thomas Jefferson
According to studies, people who speak more than one language are better at problem solving, more creative and are better multitaskers.
