3 Fastest Ways to Master a Foreign Language

Considering society today, it’s hard to walk down the road or go to the grocery store without hearing a language that is not English. Though English stands as one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, other languages, such as Spanish and Chinese, are slowly catching up to its popularity. Ever since the time of the first immigrants, it has been obvious that where people go, their culture goes as well. Just look at the amount of foreign languages spoken in the U.S. alone. Mexican and South American immigrants tend to the come to the U.S. and continue to speak Spanish, just as Chinese and other Asian immigrants also speak their native tongues.

Learning a New Language is Full of Perks

While it may seem a bit backwards to learn a foreign language in your own country, the fact of the matter is that learning a language comes with all sorts of benefits, from obtaining more communication skills to being able to apply for more job opportunities. Aside from this, many people shy away from learning a foreign language because it can be a difficult task to conquer, and many know that it can take a long time to truly master a new language. But, there are methods to use when mastering a foreign language that can make the process a lot quicker. Consider these:

1. Read and listen as often as possible. The more exposure you have to the language you are learning, the more likely you are to pick up on commonly used words and phrases. By watching a television show in Spanish or French, you are able to listen to the dialogue between people. Reading is also a great way to help boost the learning process, though learning by ear is much more preferable.
2. Find a native speaker and ask for help. Though reading books and listening to television shows can be helpful, it can be highly beneficial if you have a friend, coworker, or neighbor who speaks the language you are attempting to learn. A native speaker will be able to work with you directly in order to steer you in the direction of proper annunciation as well as verb conjugation.
3. Try total immersion. Total immersion is a very effective way of mastering a foreign language quickly. With total immersion, you will place yourself in a situation that all but forces you to speak the language you are learning. This not only ensures that your newly learned words remain fresh in your mind, it also helps you to acquire the needed skills of speaking the new language socially. In the end you won’t be able to master a foreign language overnight but there are plenty of helpful techniques that can be used to help speed up the process. It doesn’t matter if you decide to learn to speak Spanish, German, Mandarin, or Chinese; just remember that in order to be successful, the process of learning any language will take a lot of time and effort on your part. However, in the end, once you are truly able to master a language, you’ll find that you’re not only able to openly communicate with more people around you, you’re able to become part of and learn more about cultures outside of your own.