Tips for learning a new language (by @coffee-desk )
Hi!! I know I don’t have many followers but I hope this post will help at least a few people who want to learn a new language or are struggling with language courses at college or university.
(I know there are hundreds of posts like this but it’s nice to have a different point of view when it comes to studying languages)
In class:
1. Take notes in the language you are studying NOT in your native language (this can be difficult if you are at the beginning or if the language you are learning has a different alphabet, but at least try to write a few words you know in the new language)
2. While listening to new words/dialogues repeat the words or phrases under your breath in order to master the pronounciation (plus reapeting thing out loud helps you remember them better)
3. Look at the explanation in the book only if the professor specifically asks you to do it, otherwise follow his/her explanation (you will have time to read the book at home)
4. While reading a dialogue/text on you book, highlight new words with one color and words you don’t remember the meanig of with another (this happens to me sooo much with arabic because i struggle with memorizing vocabulary)
5. This might be obvious but try not to look at your phone; many professors allow students to keep their phone on the desk or to use them but trust me, answering your crush on snapchat can wait
6. Another thing that seems obvious but it’s not: ask questions! I cannot stress this enough, you (and everyone else taking that class) are there to learn something new, so if you don’t remember the meaning of a word or if you didn’t understand a concept ASK (the professor will look favourably at you because you show interest in his/her lesson)
7. If you have trouble understanding something reach out to your professor after or before class to ask him/her if you can see him/her in private so you can understand things better. Many of my professors have fixed times and days in which you can meet them in their office
At home:
8. Studying languages is all about doing something every day, so try to revise everything you’ve done in the day right when you get home or before going to bed (this is especially important for learning new words! Repeat them daily if you can)
9. You don’t need to dedicate too much time, 30 minutes or an hour everyday is enough
10. Duolingo is amazing for practice! Seriously, when you have a small amount of time (even 5 minutes) do a couple of exercises on the app, I find it helps you to keep your progress on track
11. As I already said, revising your notes everyday is very important, but don’t forget to take a look at the book, if you didn’t understand something very well the book can be very uselful (especially because most professors don’t base their lessons on the book)
12. If you need extra exercises try looking for some on Google, or do them yourself (for arabic i write down some words and try to match them with their meaning/definition
13. If you’re taking advanced language courses try watching your favorite series in the language you are studying, you will learn a lot of useful words and expressions you can use in daily life (my advice is not to use subtitles in your native language because you will just read the translation instead of listening to what they are saying) (if you’re interested there is a very nice website called Ororo where you can watch your favorite series, you can put audio and subtitles in many different languages and even slow down the audio so you can understand better! Unfortunately it’s not free, I don’t know the exact price in dollars because it’s a Russian site, but i guess the subscription is around 15$ per month?)
14. There are also many youtube channels that can help you with pronounciation, grammar and so much more
15. Read books! Even if you are a beginner it’s very useful to read, for example, children books because apart from some very useful everyday vocabulary you will get a better insight of how phrases and word order work.
That’s it guys! I know it’s not much, but feel free to add other tips xx
