If like most people you think learning a new language is a daunting task think about like this; it's just a numbers game, chose the right number and you're home free. It may take time but provided you can learn to speak a new language at a daily conversation level you will not feel lost or disappointed. Remember it really can be just like saying "hey I'd like to learn Italian!" provided you are willing to learn and apply a few selected techniques to add to your language learning method or class. The following ideas should provide enough of an opportunity to make all your efforts worhtwhile and leave you with a functional understanding of your new language with a lot fewer words and the added bonus of dramatically reducing time spent on your quest cannot be ignored. 1. You Are Learning A New Language - Not Racing A Thoroughbred Horse. It is important to distinguish your goals in a realistic fashion, it is no good racing headlong into learning a new language as if you will have it all at your feet the next day. Take your time, there is plenty of it available. Plan properly and give yourself the best chance of success. Think Of This - Do You Remember Being Told You'll Understand When You're Older? It is the same now, you are back at the stage in your life when you listened a lot but could say very little that made sense. The only difference now is that you now have the capacity to recognize and correct mistakes. Make an effort to listen to the sounds of your new language and practise, practise, practise. 2. Flashcard Mania. Do not be afraid to make use of this minor technical, but very popular, assistant. Remember the old adage time waits for no man (or woman) well in this case it can, use flashcards whenever time permits or you stand still, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain when it comes to your chosen new language. If you spend ten seconds of free time checking back over flashcards that you have created you will learn words much quicker than if you try to remember them in isolation each time you return to the lessons. You're going out to dinner tonight, Italian waiters love it when they hear their own language spoken, give it a go - try and order your meal this way. With flashcards two minutes can be a major review session. Put simply just add it up - spend ten seconds on one word, for two minutes - suddenly you have twelve words in two minutes. That can become a massive 3000 words in one year, if you can maintain that rate for only 5days a week. Think about it that is going to be all the words you need to be conversational in just two minutes a day. Even though this isn't going to include grammar and pronunciation - it is still only one year to learn all the vocabulary you need. What is being said here is: you have no excuse for not giving time to your chosen language. Anywhere anytime is the new you when it comes to learning your new language - at the doctors, the shops, waiting for a bus, on the train, just anywhere. Have FUN. 3. Use Time Wisely. What is the point of burning the midnight oil when tomorrow there is plenty of natural light to make your life easier? That's right, be sensible and spare yourself relentless hours of slogging away. Practice in shorter time spans - you will still learn as much as you were meant to, only you will learn it for keeps. 4. Make It Loud. Everyone tells us this, speak out loud when learning anything. Maths tables, place names you name it we have all stood there and spoken these things out loud. The same applies when learning a new language - you say out loud words you learn so that they stick in your brain. You will recall much more and it isn't as bad as it used to be when you were little - you're grown up now you can stand up and speak (hush - in front of other people) and you're not going to disappear into a large hole in the ground and never surface again. You know it makes sense - speak out loud. Here's a clue to make this one more enjoyable - use what you are interested in to make it easier for you to read out loud - if you like home decoration or gardening why not get hold of magazines connected with these topics and read about them - go on why not? 5. The Talk On The Street Is Social Groups. If you do not mix it up and try and learn with others who are just as interested as you are in learning a new language you are making it harder on yourself. You are missing out on interaction and feedback and the plain enjoyment of the company others can offer. And, hey what are you learning a new language for - if not to speak with other people? 6. Sources Of Tools To Help You Learn. We live in one of the most technical of ages. There is an array of help tools that you cannot fail to have access to. Your local library - videos, audio tapes, cinema, the Internet, even radio. Here's a trick, with videos select sub-title on but make them the language you are trying to learn - Italian, Spanish, what better way to get underneath these languages. Whatever you do make sure you are not limited in your choice and remember what your goal is - to learn a new language. 7. You Need To Get Out There. It cannot be reinforced enough, you need to meet or get in touch with other people who are going through what you are going through. They will understand and help you to learn much more quickly than if you were to try and go it alone. Use online help forums to meet with people. There are lots of people around who are willing to help and in return maybe you can help with their language difficulties. 8. There Are Two Special Areas Worth Considering. If you can afford it live and study overseas. You will be thrown in the deep end but it could work as there is no way out but to learn and let's say this learn fast! Combine this with living with a family whose interests are similar to yours or to your family interests, be it outdoor activities, church and so on. Living as a live in member of a family will help you to understand the culture of the new language you are learning and perhaps increase your appreciation of why certain words are used in one way and others that sound very similar in a completely different way. The Chinese say 8 is a lucky number so I will leave it at that for now. Try applying some of these techniques to your new language learning mission. In a very short time you will find you can add different ones without breaking into your time vault. In fact if you are really clever you will discover ways to use less time as you streamline everything in your learning process. So you will ultimately learn to learn more efficiently, just remember to keep your eyes firmly on the target.
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