Easy Tips to Learn a New Language

Learning a new language is exhilarating, yet torturous however still, some of us are glutton for punishment. I took the time out and made myself learn Hebrew and Spanish, separately of course. Whilst I'm not yet fluent, due to postponing whenever I enrolled in college classes, I still try to retain what I have learned thus far. Let's say you're going to learn Spanish. Here are some easy tips that you can put into practice right this moment on your journey to fluency.

1. Purchase a Spanish/English dictionary, a beginner's Spanish workbook, children's books in Spanish and flashcards.

In order to learn something new, one must invest in the basics to be able to do so. Not only will these books and flashcards help you to achieve fluency, they also stand to boost your enthusiasm to take on the task. It isn't enough to merely listen to people converse in Spanish however, that can work if you have such a person, for that is how babies and toddlers pick up on language. Nevertheless, pick up those keys and run to the bookstore.

2. Complete a lesson a day in your Spanish Workbook.

This is the key to learning the proper grammar of Spanish and any other language you wish to learn. Completing a lesson a day allows your brain to retain what you are learning as well as to consolidate or organize the information so that you can better understand and utilize what you are learning. If you are teaching yourself here and there with no consistency, it will be difficult to jump into studying because it will always feel as though you are just starting. Allow yourself to cut the lessons in half to slower the pace and lessen the pressure however, make it your goal to daily complete a lesson..

4. Write down three Spanish phrases on a flashcard, to immediately put to use.

During or after each workbook lesson, choose three phrases to copy to one side of a flashcard and write the translation on the other. Immediately, put the flashcard to use by speaking to a loved one or a friend. For example, if you've learned how to say "How was your day" in Spanish, then begin asking people that in Spanish. The rule is that it takes about ten thousand hours of practice to master something. With that I'd say, throw down the crutches and dive in. Begin using everything you've learned, the moment you learn it.

3. Watch at least thirty minutes to an hour of a TV show in Spanish, everyday.

It can be very interesting to discover new shows and movies however it's quite interesting when it's in another language. Try finding something that you would normally like. If you like watching the news, try watching the news in Spanish. I find that when viewing adult content, the speech is too rapid for me so I take to watching children's shows, which I adore. The speech in children's shows are usually slowed down enough to follow. I've actually become addicted to watching PBS' Arthur in Hebrew after watching it so much. So yes, it can be lots of fun learning a new language.

4. Talk to someone in Spanish everyday.

Talk to as many Spanish speakers as possible, even if it seems they don't have the patience to wait for you to recall what you've learned, do it anyway. Talking in that new language as much as possible is the key to progressing. If you don't have a Spanish-speaker to converse with, at least, talk to the people you reside with, in Spanish. You can easily practice conversing in Spanish when you're out of the house with your neighbors, co-workers, or store attendants. Just have the courage to speak it. Most people find it charming that someone is trying to learn their language.

As with everything, you have to put in the work to achieve success. However, when it comes to learning a new language, you also have to let go of your pride. You will make mistakes, you will sound silly at times and yes, you will mistakenly use a feminine word when referring to a male, but that's okay. Brush off and keep going.

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