Language Learning

By Ve

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Learning a foreign language is incredibly rewarding. Following the recent pandemic, many- including myself- have turned to studying a new language to pass time. It can be a daunting process however and requires a mix of good studying habits along with using high yield learning material. 

Currently, I’m learning two languages- Korean and Tagalog. Although I do not have a set study schedule, it is highly recommended as consistency is key. Nevertheless, as I am fairly fluent in them, I tend to be more carefree but still try my best to incorporate these languages into my daily life. 

As mentioned earlier, learning a new language can seem intimidating, especially if you don’t know where to start. Fear not however- the solution is simply to start from scratch. Rather than diving straight into reading complex novels like I tried to do, start with treading the water and gradually building up your skills. Every language has a basic process that I like to split into 4 different parts:

1. Start with memorizing the alphabet- that is if the language you’re learning uses letters not found in the English alphabet. Spanish, French, and Tagalog for example would not require learning a new alphabet, however you can still memorize accents. Languages such as Thai, Arabic, and Korean on the other hand use a completely different alphabetical system and use letters and sounds that are not found in English. Getting used to these new pronunciations can be difficult, but it gets easier with practice!
   
   
2. Next, learn the grammatical structure. This is the most important part and incredibly vast so pace yourself. Start with basic word order and gradually build up to more complex sentences. If your target language has a hierarchical system, familiarize yourself with that as well and focus more on the formal system.
   
   
3. Finally, go-all in on vocabulary. This can also be done alongside learning the grammatical structure as they go hand in hand. Grab a dictionary or google random words and simply start memorizing. There’s no set way to do this but I prefer making flashcards and using spaced repetition. 
   
   
4. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can start incorporating the language into your day-to-day activities. For instance, try activating subtitles in your target language when watching a movie! Better yet, watch a movie or listen to songs in your target language and try your best to understand it without subtitles. 

Choosing the right resources to learn with is crucial. Moreover, depending on your preferred learning style, you might have to experiment to find what suits you best. Here are some of the most effective materials and methods that I’ve used:

• YouTube
  YouTube is hands down the best platform to start off when learning a new language. Not only is it free, but videos are great for visual and auditory learners! Moreover, hearing pronunciation in real-time is highly beneficial. The amount of videos available may seem overwhelming, but take your time in finding a channel or playlist that works well for you. I find that the most effective videos are concise rather than hour-long ones. 
  
  
• Textbooks
  Textbooks are a pretty solid resource and are beneficial for learning styles related to reading. Most are pretty comprehensive and even have a CD accompaniment so you can listen to the audio version as well. There are a few out there in the market that are rather inadequate, hence always look at the ratings before diving in. On the downside, you might need to spend some cash for your own book. Combined with different series and volumes, it can get expensive real quick so make sure to plan ahead. 
  
  
• Converse with native speakers
  This is probably the most important step in order to further develop and refine your language learning skills. While this is best suited for social learners, it is recommended that any type of learner tries to converse with a native or fluent speaker. Naturally, the most effective way to experience this is by living in a country/area that speaks said language. As this is not always practical, the next best option is to find an internet friend or even a pen pal who is fluent in the language. Daily conversations are ideal and can tremendously boost comprehension skills as well as refine your own speech! Social media platforms like Instagram, Reddit, and even Twitter work well for finding friends but always remain cautious online. 

We saw the basics of learning a new language and established that starting from scratch is the best way to build up fluency. In addition, we saw some effective study materials and methods that cater to different types of learners. 
With this in mind, why not learn a new language? Apart from personal satisfaction, the rewards are endless and opens doors to new opportunities. What language are you interested in and why? Let us know in the comments!