5 Language Learning Hacks To Help You Become Fluent
When learning a language, most people waste a lot of time by studying the language rather than using it. That's not to say that grammar worksheets and classroom time aren't necessary. But, if you want to get over the hump and become fluent, you need to do more. Here, we at GET.com recommend these 5 awesome language learning hacks to help you achieve fluency faster and with less effort.
1. Connect With Local People Who Speak Your Target Language
There is no way around it - if you want to learn a language, you will have to speak it with native speakers or high-level non-native speakers studying grammar worksheets, reading articles and listening to music will only take you so far.
If you live in a large enough city, try to connect with people on Couchsurfing or Craigslist by putting up an ad. With a language exchange, not only can you practice your target language, you can also learn about different cultures, all while making new friends.
2. YouTube & Netflix Can Help You Zoom In On Your Listening Skills
Many language learning students will master their vocabulary, learn tons of words and know every grammatical rule by heart but are shocked when they can't understand the taxi driver or waiter at a restaurant. To improve your listening skills, use YouTube and Netflix to watch movies and TV shows.
Try to watch without subtitles, too. If you watch shows or documentaries about things that interest you, not only can you improve your listening skills, you'll also get to learn new words and start to "think" in the language.
3. Focus on Learning the Most Important Words
It can be fun to throw around obscure words and slang that only advanced students and native speakers know, but it's largely a waste of time. Instead, hammer down the words that you need to use every day. People learning Spanish will be happy to know that the 3,000 most common words acｃount for 94 percent of speech.
While a true fluent speaker will possess a much larger vocabulary, it's a good start, and by knowing the most commonly used words, you can pretty much function in the language.
4. Read the Newspaper
One mistake many may make is trying to read complicated texts. While this is a great end goal, you will do yourself a favor if you take a more practical approach and read the newspaper in your target language every morning.
Typically, newspapers are written at an elementary level, so all readers should be able to understand without much difficulty. Not only can you increase your vocabulary simply by reading, you will also get to hone your grammar skills at the same time.
5. Find a Skype Buddy
Okay, so maybe you live in a small town where nobody speaks your target language. You are in luck as there are plenty of websites and apps that allow you to connect with people who want to learn English. By chatting with people on Skype, you will enjoy a free and fun way to practice the language, which is a great alternative when compared to paying a tutor $30 an hour, or more.
HelloTalk, dubbed the World's Largest Language Learning Community, is the perfect app to find other like-minded people who want to practice languages. If you can connect with multiple people and Skype every night of the week, you will feel more natural with the language at a much quicker pace.
Article Source: https://get.com/guide/5-language-learning-hacks-help-you-become-fluent/
Image Source: https://get.com/media/uploads/school-1063556_1280%20copy-2065956762.jpg
VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Subtitle (n.) ~ captions displayed at the bottom of a movie or television screen that translate or transcribe the dialogue or narrative
2. Hammer down (phrasal verb) ~ go full speed
3. Hone (v.) ~ refine or perfect (something) over a period of time
4. Dub (v.) ~ give an unofficial name or nickname to (someone or something)
5. Pace (v.) ~ to advance or develop (something) for a particular purpose or at a particular rate
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Among the suggestions given above, which one have you tried or do you think could be the most efficient for you? Discuss your answer.
2. Why is it important to immerse yourself in the language you are learning?
3. How do you learn new vocabulary words?
4. When you are communicating in English, do you think in English or Korean? How can "thinking" in English be helpful for you?
