We often hear scientists saying that children are the best at learning a new language. By using the right techniques and approach, learning a new language can actually be quite simple. Trying to pick up a second (or third) language but finding it too difficult, too complicated? As long as you consistently apply the steps I'll discuss in this post, you should be able to speak a new language within a few months!
Each learner is different!
The time it takes to learn a new language is dependent on:
1. How much hours per week you devote to learn your new language
2. Your own motivation
3. How close the new language is to languages you already know
4. And of course, the complexity of the language itself!
Techniques
Your efficiency is dependent on the techniques you decide to use. So, how will you learn your new language?
1. The Most Common Words
To start having proper conversations, it's important that you pick your words carefully. People should start studying the most commonly used words. For example in French, the 600 most common words apparently account for 90% of words found in common texts. By knowing 1.75% of the English dictionary, you're able to understand 95% of what you read. Start by learning the most common 300-500 words. This will rapidly enable you to have proper conversations. For example click here to see a list that contains the most commonly spoken words in Spanish. If you want to learn Spanish, this would be a good list to start with.
"Content and vocabulary selection beyond the most common 300-500 words should be dictated by subject matter interest. You should ask yourself what you will spend your time doing with this language." (Tim Ferris, 2009)
2. Your "Words-To-Learn-List"
Have you ever written down a to-do list before? You probably did! This is more or less the same. If you write down a daily "Word-To-Learn-List" of 5-10 words, you'll consciously learn new words day by day. Let's say you focus on 10 words per day, shouldn't be too difficult right? Imagine doing this every day during a time frame of one year. 365 days x 10 words = 3650 words!
3. Use Mnemonics
An effective learning method to learn new words is to use mnemonics. It can often be very difficult to remember certain new words! The best way to remember these words is by using mnemonics. These will help you remember words at first. This allows you to use the words in conversations and if you do so, you will remember the words more easily and after a while they will simply stick in your head.
4. Combine Fun and Learning
From my personal experience, I believe it to be useful to combine fun and learning, so I have:
1. Changed my language settings on Facebook now that I'm learning Spanish
2. I have been playing video games with Spanish subtitles and settings on my Xbox
3. I watched Game of Thrones, Lost and the Walking Dead with Spanish subtitles
5. Write in a Diary
Use your new language by writing stories or in a diary! Use your new words, write to yourself about your day, write about what you've done and this way, you'll learn to effectively apply your words. You can efficiently use things like Google Translator and dictionaries. This is also a good method to remember words in the long-term since you constantly make use of them.
6. Integrate with people
Another thing many scientists mention is to integrate with the new culture and language. The best way is to live, communicate and experience it. This is quite a dedication and sacrifice which might be difficult to make. Scott Young and Vat Jaiswal did integrate into the culture and language and managed to learn four languages (Spanish, Portugese, Chinese and Korean) within a time frame of 1 year!
So..
You can be living abroad for years regretting that you've never started to learn. But believe me, once you do focus and you do succeed.... human interactions, communication, it is so satisfying! Embrace what makes you different, it is really wonderful to speak another language. Take the effort today and enjoy that effort the rest of your life!
