- Create an atmosphere in which you want to learn, not because you have to. You’ll learn more when you’re learning because you want to.
Learning a language is not a simple task and many students can spend years studying a language and still have trouble ordering a cup of coffee. Although it is important to study the grammar of a language, often this theoretical knowledge does not always transfer to real life as easily as we would like. This is why the best way to learn a language is sometimes to step away from the regular exercisebooks and do something completely different.
Find a new way to learn a language and not only does this keep the brain actively thinking in fresh ways it also keeps study interesting, which maintains a student’s motivation – one of the most important aspects oflanguage learning.
Find Real life Interaction
Learning a language with real life interaction is vital if you are going to survive by using the language rather than simply passing exams with it. Changing the context of learning can make all the difference, so that grammar and the ‘dry’ parts of language are still learned, but in a new way. If you can, socialise in your target language, have conversations about things that force you to use new vocabulary.
Physicality in learning can also be a way of memorising words more effectively, so playing games with the language is a great way to get new words to stick, while another important task of finding a new way to learn a language is finding a native speaker to practise the target language with.
Idioms can be difficult to memorise, but they are great fun to use and they’ll make your English more colourful.Immersion as a new way to learn a language
Immersion is another option when finding new ways to learn a language, though difficult to do if you are not living in a country where the target language is routinely spoken. Immersion can also be a lonely experience, as it requires the learner to cut off most contact with their native language and focus only on the target language.
Once you find a new way to learn a language you will open your brain up to the new words, phrases and grammar in a fresh way, with a new context, and often this is what it takes to reach that next level.
Learn English with a friend. You’ll have someone you can practise with and you can motivate each other to study.
It isn’t only real life interactions that can help your brain re-wire in its new language, but TV shows using your target language can also be useful, as can radio. As long as you are listening actively to the language you will benefit from being surrounded by it – make sure it really is active listening though and not just background noise!
Don’t give up! Stay positive! Sometimes you will feel that you aren’t learning quickly enough. Everyone feels like this, don’t worry about it. You’ll get there in the end.