The inner game of language learning
Traveling the world for profit or pleasure has become commonplace in our modern world and you will most likely tackle learning at least one foreign language in your lifetime. Your communication needs can range from ordering a meal on vacation to managing all aspects of life after emigrating to another country. As well as the obvious benefits of understanding and being understood, there are also the potential hidden benefits of improving your own language and gaining unique insight into a different culture. Learning a foreign language has also been identified as one of the best ways to keep Alzheimer’s at bay and it exercises the brain and keeps it healthy, regardless of age. Here are some tips that have helped me speak English better than my mother tongue, get over holiday lingo in France, and start fresh with Portuguese in preparation for my retirement in the sun.
How do you learn better?
Knowing and applying all of your learning preferences can make the difference between having fun and being successful or finding it a chore and giving up. If you’re not sure how you learn best, I encourage you to experiment until you find what feels best and fits your lifestyle.
Do you prefer to learn by reading, listening or writing? Do you like to study with others or alone? What about structured lessons versus sticky notes on the wall? Maybe you don’t want to worry about theory at all and just talk to people. Do you like or dislike using technology? Is ‘grammar’ a loaded word or can you, like me, devour a good grammar book like other people a spy novel?
find time
Fitting one more thing into our crowded lives can certainly be a challenge, so perhaps setting aside a small amount of time each day works better for you. Ten minutes a day is better than waiting for that three-hour slot that never comes. Register and paying for night classes it is also a good motivator to keep going. Being a very busy person, I always look for ‘down’ time. I usually listen to an audio lesson while driving or doing chores and yes, I have a phrase book next to my ‘throne’. However, things really come to life when I combine socializing with my foreign friends and boldly practice my new sentences.
How good is good enough?
Most people, including me, only learn what they really need or are passionate about. Since there really is no limit to mastering a language, only you can decide how far you want to take it. The answer will probably depend on a few factors. Do you need this new skill only occasionally or daily? Are you preparing for the immediate or even distant future? Do you really need to talk a lot with others or not?
You will also find that your personality and values determine your decision. Do you like to work for excellence? Is it important to you to be “correct”? Are you ambitious and enjoy a good challenge? Last but not least, do you really to enjoy have conversations or are you more introverted?
If you’ve never tried speaking another language, here’s one last piece of advice: try not to take yourself too seriously. By speaking like a small child, you will instantly be stripped of your eloquence and any obvious signs of intelligence. You’ll make mistakes and they’ll laugh at you and it’s so much more fun, when you can join in the laughter and you don’t care. Making a fool of yourself. As always I wish you ‘einen guten Tag’, ‘good day’, ‘bom dia’ and good day!