A recent Eurobarometer 54 study “Europeans and Languages” revealed that nearly 47% of Europeans surveyed do not speak any foreign language. However, 71% state that “everyone in the European Union should be able to speak a community language in addition to their mother tongue”. Unsurprisingly, for 75% of Europeans, English remains the most useful language. Where to start? Which learning methods should you prioritise? Learn alone or use a language training organisation? You may be asking yourself all these questions before embarking on the adventure of learning a new language. Whether you want to learn English, Russian, Spanish or Italian, we offer you 8 essential tips to achieve this.
Tip 1: Watch films and series in their original version
Combine learning and pleasure! Watching your favourite series and films in the original version with subtitles will allow you to assimilate common expressions and familiarise yourself with accents. Gradually, remove the subtitles until you understand without difficulty. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t understand everything at first; it’s by practising that you learn.
Tip 2: Learn phrases, not just words
Having vocabulary is useful, but without context, it doesn’t serve much purpose. It is better to learn complete sentences and idiomatic expressions in order to understand when and how to use words. This way, you will become operational more quickly.
Tip 3: Practise speaking
Once you’ve mastered the basics, go for it! Speaking is essential to put into practice what you have learned and evaluate your progress. You will quickly see the difference between theory and the reality of a conversation. It is also a good way to maintain what you’ve acquired and to progress.
Tip 4: Be consistent
The key to success lies in consistency. A few minutes a day or several hours a week, it doesn’t matter; what’s important is to keep the rhythm. Short but frequent sessions will promote more effective learning and prevent you from losing what you have acquired.
Tip 5: Accept making mistakes
To err is human. Making mistakes will help you identify your gaps and progress. Don’t hesitate to ask bilingual or native speakers to correct you; this will save you time and allow you to target areas for improvement.
Tip 6: Set goals
Break down your learning into clear steps. For example, master the different verb tenses before moving on to specific vocabulary. Having precise objectives will help you stay motivated and not get discouraged by the magnitude of the task.
Tip 7: Vary learning methods
Don’t stay stuck on a single method. Watch videos, read articles, listen to podcasts, take individual courses, or go on a language study trip. The more you diversify your approaches, the richer and more stimulating your learning will be.
Tip 8: Learn with and thanks to others
We learn alone, but never without others! Speaking with other learners, natives, participating in debates, online chats, masterclasses, will allow you to improve your oral fluency and put your knowledge into practice. This is the whole spirit of social learning.
Conclusion
Learning a foreign language is a demanding journey, but the reward is worth the effort. When you reach your goal, you will feel a deep satisfaction, all the more precious at a time when mastering a foreign language is an undeniable professional asset.
To stay motivated and guided, using a language training organisation is a wise choice. They will know how to accompany you from the beginning to the end of your project, and even beyond, in order to consolidate your achievements and help you reach the desired mastery.
