Learning a new language as an adult can be a daunting prospect. The thought of effectively ‘going back to school’ again often seems like a giant hurdle, especially when faced with the common assumption that our ability to acquire a new language decreases with age. This, coupled with the factors of time and money, can all make taking a language course seem more trouble than it’s worth.
Yet learning a language can open numerous doors to future prospects. Whether you need it for work or business, or solely want to learn to be able to get by on your summer holidays, being able to speak another language is a passport to new opportunities and broader perspectives. Furthermore, in today’s global community, there have never been more effective resources and time-saving options available to help you on your way. Here a few ideas to help any prospective language learner:
* Take every opportunity to use the language. Whether this is speaking to foreigners in chat rooms or attending meetups in the local community, ensure that you utilize every available chance to practice. If you’re short of money but keen to learn, you could consider advertising in local libraries and universities for conversation exchange. This way everyone wins- you get to practice your target language for free and you may even make new friends.
* Increase your understanding of the culture. If returning to the classroom intimidates you, consider approaching language learning from a different perspective. Throw yourself into the country and customs by incorporating your language course with some extra-curricular cultural activities. Many language schools now offer ‘discovery’ classes to accompany the academic components of language learning. The Italian Class, London, for example, runs monthly wine tasting sessions and cookery lessons.
* They say the best way to learn a language is to live in that country. Whilst it might not be possible for the majority of us to up and leave work and home, taking a short structured course in the country you are interested in will provide you with the best possible opportunity to practice the target language. Many schools based in the UK will run exchange programmes in your country of choice, enabling you to reap the rewards of learning during your stay there.
* Make the most of modern technology. Gone are the days of Berlitz city guides repetitive audio tapes. Amazing advancements in recent modern technology have meant that learning a language has never been easier. The i-Phone and i-Pod have a number of convenient applications available such as translators, dictionaries, quizzes, flashcards and even fun games. All these can be downloaded quickly and easily, ensuring that you are able to make every moment of your time productive. Check out stores such as Vodafone for great deals on their latest iPhones.