This is going to be a short but powerful post.
Stop wasting your time looking for the perfect method.
Stop wandering aimlessly on language forums looking for the perfect method.
Stop thinking about studying your target language.
Stop complaining for stupid reasons.
Stop convincing yourself that you'll do something tomorrow. You know what? It's already "tomorrow" in another country.
Stop asking for help—go out there and help yourself to your target language. It's everywhere.
There are two things you really shouldn't do:
* Posting messages in your native language, be it on your blog or on a forum
* Giving a damn about what other people think, especially strangers on the internet.
Become Fluent in a Foreign Language: Record the World Around You!
Welcome to Fluent Language. Click on the little icons on the right-hand side of the page to Digg this website or add it to StumbleUpon if you like it. It only takes a couple of minutes!
If you go abroad, don't make the same mistake I did. Sure, if you go to Spain, taking Spanish courses may help. That being said, do you know that there are things you can do besides taking Spanish courses to learn the language for free?
Don't forget to bring something to record native speakers with!
That way, you can make your own foreign languages tapes for free.
Nowadays, almost every cell phone and mp3 player have recording capabilities. If you're thinking of buying a digital recorder, there are several things to consider:
1.Size: You want to be able to carry your device with you at all times, so the smaller, the better.
2. Microphones: Having the option to plug an external microphone into a jack is nice when you want to get better sound quality. If you want to record Spanish courses for example, ask permission first.
3. Storage size: Try to get a device that can store dozens of hours of audio, as opposed to a cheap recorder that can only store a couple of hours.
4. Format of the recordings: Buy a digital recorder whose default recording format is mp3. Wav files are way too bulky!
You will want to transfer all of these files to your computer or laptop right after you've recorded something interesting. You could also record your “foreign language tapes” directly onto your computer or laptop.
If you are recording something directly onto your computer, you can use Garageband on a Mac or you can download Audacity for free if you're using a PC or some other kind of OS.
Audacity is a great program, because you can slow down recordings and cut them up into small parts that are easier to listen to. Now, you can make your own Spanish courses for free! How awesome is that?
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular.
Thanks!
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If you go abroad, don't make the same mistake I did. Sure, if you go to Spain, taking Spanish courses may help. That being said, do you know that there are things you can do besides taking Spanish courses to learn the language for free?
Don't forget to bring something to record native speakers with!
That way, you can make your own foreign languages tapes for free.
Nowadays, almost every cell phone and mp3 player have recording capabilities. If you're thinking of buying a digital recorder, there are several things to consider:
1.Size: You want to be able to carry your device with you at all times, so the smaller, the better.
2. Microphones: Having the option to plug an external microphone into a jack is nice when you want to get better sound quality. If you want to record Spanish courses for example, ask permission first.
3. Storage size: Try to get a device that can store dozens of hours of audio, as opposed to a cheap recorder that can only store a couple of hours.
4. Format of the recordings: Buy a digital recorder whose default recording format is mp3. Wav files are way too bulky!
You will want to transfer all of these files to your computer or laptop right after you've recorded something interesting. You could also record your “foreign language tapes” directly onto your computer or laptop.
If you are recording something directly onto your computer, you can use Garageband on a Mac or you can download Audacity for free if you're using a PC or some other kind of OS.
Audacity is a great program, because you can slow down recordings and cut them up into small parts that are easier to listen to. Now, you can make your own Spanish courses for free! How awesome is that?
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular.
Thanks!
Subscribe to my blog (RSS feed): http://feeds.feedburner.com/FluentLanguageLearnANewLanguageToday
Five Awesome Tips that Will Help You Learn Foreign Languages
Welcome to Fluent Language. Click on the little icons on the right-hand side of the page to Digg this website or add it to StumbleUpon if you like it. It only takes a couple of minutes!
Here are five of the easiest and most effective methods to learn foreign languages fast.
1. Cramming Is a No-No!
I'm sure you were used to cramming when you were a student. And you know that it's a big no-no. Cramming is really the worst "technique" that you can use in any situation.
When you cram, not only will you not remember much information, you'll also end up wasting your time cramming and wishing for the best instead of giving yourself the chance to memorize vocabulary for good.
2. Don't Study Everything At Once!
Adults tend to have a short attention span. In fact, studies have shown that a healthy and fit adult
remains attentive when performing a repetitive task for up to of 20 minutes only!
Perhaps the easiest of all the techniques to learn language fast is to keep your study sessions short. Plan sessions that last from to 15 to 30 minutes and take 5 to 10 minute breaks in between. Also, make sure to munch on some light snacks to replenish your energy.
3. Study When You're Calm
You need to be relaxed in order to process new information.
When you are upset, depressed or tired, your brain is not really suitable and susceptible to learn new information.
4. Find a Good Room to Study in
Here's a thing that you probably didn't know about the brain: it responds better to a familiar situation and environments.
The human is a creature of habit. You need to study every day at the same time, and at the same place if possible. Creating a familiar setting for your brain will make it easier for you to learn.
5. Study Before Going to Bed
Surprised? A lot of people do not realize how effective this technique is when it comes to learning a new language.
About ten minutes before you go to sleep, quickly go over your learning materials. You don't have to make a conscious effort to memorize anything in your book. Your subconscious mind will do that for you.
You will be surprised at how effective these methods are. Try them out!
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
Subscribe to my blog (RSS feed): http://feeds.feedburner.com/FluentLanguageLearnANewLanguageToday
Here are five of the easiest and most effective methods to learn foreign languages fast.
1. Cramming Is a No-No!
I'm sure you were used to cramming when you were a student. And you know that it's a big no-no. Cramming is really the worst "technique" that you can use in any situation.
When you cram, not only will you not remember much information, you'll also end up wasting your time cramming and wishing for the best instead of giving yourself the chance to memorize vocabulary for good.
2. Don't Study Everything At Once!
Adults tend to have a short attention span. In fact, studies have shown that a healthy and fit adult
remains attentive when performing a repetitive task for up to of 20 minutes only!
Perhaps the easiest of all the techniques to learn language fast is to keep your study sessions short. Plan sessions that last from to 15 to 30 minutes and take 5 to 10 minute breaks in between. Also, make sure to munch on some light snacks to replenish your energy.
3. Study When You're Calm
You need to be relaxed in order to process new information.
When you are upset, depressed or tired, your brain is not really suitable and susceptible to learn new information.
4. Find a Good Room to Study in
Here's a thing that you probably didn't know about the brain: it responds better to a familiar situation and environments.
The human is a creature of habit. You need to study every day at the same time, and at the same place if possible. Creating a familiar setting for your brain will make it easier for you to learn.
5. Study Before Going to Bed
Surprised? A lot of people do not realize how effective this technique is when it comes to learning a new language.
About ten minutes before you go to sleep, quickly go over your learning materials. You don't have to make a conscious effort to memorize anything in your book. Your subconscious mind will do that for you.
You will be surprised at how effective these methods are. Try them out!
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
Subscribe to my blog (RSS feed): http://feeds.feedburner.com/FluentLanguageLearnANewLanguageToday
Become Fluent in a Foreign Language Fast: Start Reading Comic Books!
Welcome to Fluent Language. Click on the little icons on the right-hand side of the page to Digg this website or add it to StumbleUpon if you like it. It only takes a couple of minutes!
When someone thinks about comic books, they probably don't take into account the amount of words that each page contains. Reading a comic book is a golden opportunity to learn vocabulary in a foreign language.
Most people think comic books are for kids and that they are a waste of time for adults. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I have been a comic book buff since I was a child. I've learned many of the words I know in comic books such as Mickey Mouse.
Comic books are a great place to start if you want to acquire more vocabulary. I vividly remember not knowing a particular word. I couldn't infer its meaning from the context. A dictionary proved invaluable.
Learning new words from comic books entails very little work. You have to know how to use a dictionary and a thesaurus, and you need the desire to find out what that word you don't understand means.
The accumulation of words through reading can help you perform better in school, so crack that comic book open today!
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
When someone thinks about comic books, they probably don't take into account the amount of words that each page contains. Reading a comic book is a golden opportunity to learn vocabulary in a foreign language.
Most people think comic books are for kids and that they are a waste of time for adults. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I have been a comic book buff since I was a child. I've learned many of the words I know in comic books such as Mickey Mouse.
Comic books are a great place to start if you want to acquire more vocabulary. I vividly remember not knowing a particular word. I couldn't infer its meaning from the context. A dictionary proved invaluable.
Learning new words from comic books entails very little work. You have to know how to use a dictionary and a thesaurus, and you need the desire to find out what that word you don't understand means.
The accumulation of words through reading can help you perform better in school, so crack that comic book open today!
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
Learn What Sound Your Favorite Animal Makes in Your Foreign Language—Woof!
Welcome to Fluent Language. Click on the little icons on the right-hand side of the page to Digg this website or add it to StumbleUpon if you like it. It only takes a couple of minutes!
When I was young, I learned that that cows go “moo,” ducks go “quack,” and sheep go “baa.”
This sort of vocabulary is rarely taught in school, at least not when learning a second language. When we start learning a new language, we begin with the basics. After all, learning how to ask for directions and how to ask how much something costs is far more important than knowing what your favorite animals sound like in the language you're learning!
So it can be somewhat of a shock when years down the line, you discover that your beloved pet sounds different in another language. Why is it that dogs go 'woof' in the U.S., and “ouaf-ouaf” in France, but "guau-guau" in Spain?
It would be great if you started studying animal sounds right now. Only people who are truly fluent could translate words like "meow."
The language you speak affects the way your mind divides up sounds, which is why it can be hard to understand a new language, even once you've mastered the basic vocabulary and grammar. .
The words we use to represent animal noises are basically all onomatopoeic.
In other words, the vocabulary is based on the sound itself, and simulates the sound that the animals make.
English pigs go “oink,” but Japanese pigs say “boo boo.” A bee “buzzes” in English, but goes “vizzz” in Turkish.
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When I was young, I learned that that cows go “moo,” ducks go “quack,” and sheep go “baa.”
This sort of vocabulary is rarely taught in school, at least not when learning a second language. When we start learning a new language, we begin with the basics. After all, learning how to ask for directions and how to ask how much something costs is far more important than knowing what your favorite animals sound like in the language you're learning!
So it can be somewhat of a shock when years down the line, you discover that your beloved pet sounds different in another language. Why is it that dogs go 'woof' in the U.S., and “ouaf-ouaf” in France, but "guau-guau" in Spain?
It would be great if you started studying animal sounds right now. Only people who are truly fluent could translate words like "meow."
The language you speak affects the way your mind divides up sounds, which is why it can be hard to understand a new language, even once you've mastered the basic vocabulary and grammar. .
The words we use to represent animal noises are basically all onomatopoeic.
In other words, the vocabulary is based on the sound itself, and simulates the sound that the animals make.
English pigs go “oink,” but Japanese pigs say “boo boo.” A bee “buzzes” in English, but goes “vizzz” in Turkish.
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
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Immerse Yourself in Your Target Language... and Get a Better Job
Welcome to Fluent Language. Click on the little icons on the right-hand side of the page to Digg this website or add it to StumbleUpon if you like it. It only takes a couple of minutes!
Mastering a foreign language can be a great asset if you're looking for a raise, and it may also improve your experience when you travel abroad.
If you choose to learn a new language, you have a number of options. You could earn a degree in foreign languages from a university or college. A degree gives you expert knowledge of the language, both in its written and in its spoken form.
You might have already established yourself as a professional, and believe that being fluent in a foreign language may help you land a better job and advance your career.
If so, you should familiarize yourself with a foreign language using an online course, such as Livemocha, which is certainly a great way to study from the comfort of your own home.
If you have enough money, consider enrolling in an immersion program.
That way, you get the chance to discover a foreign culture. You will actually be living in a foreign country and experiencing the daily life and culture of the people. This really is the fastest option to pick up a foreign language.
You should do your best to communicate with native speakers every day. Most of the locals will not be able to speak English. For that reason, you must communicate with these people in their native language.
You will also take classes that can help you to write and speak in your target language. An immersion program is the most effective method for learning to speak a new language fluently.
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
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Mastering a foreign language can be a great asset if you're looking for a raise, and it may also improve your experience when you travel abroad.
If you choose to learn a new language, you have a number of options. You could earn a degree in foreign languages from a university or college. A degree gives you expert knowledge of the language, both in its written and in its spoken form.
You might have already established yourself as a professional, and believe that being fluent in a foreign language may help you land a better job and advance your career.
If so, you should familiarize yourself with a foreign language using an online course, such as Livemocha, which is certainly a great way to study from the comfort of your own home.
If you have enough money, consider enrolling in an immersion program.
That way, you get the chance to discover a foreign culture. You will actually be living in a foreign country and experiencing the daily life and culture of the people. This really is the fastest option to pick up a foreign language.
You should do your best to communicate with native speakers every day. Most of the locals will not be able to speak English. For that reason, you must communicate with these people in their native language.
You will also take classes that can help you to write and speak in your target language. An immersion program is the most effective method for learning to speak a new language fluently.
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
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Learning German by Studying the Language for Ten Minutes a Day: My New Challenge!
Welcome to Fluent Language. Click on the little icons on the right-hand side of the page to Digg this website or add it to StumbleUpon if you like it. It only takes a couple of minutes!
I'm going to study German every day for about a month. Today was my first day. I managed to complete the first lesson of the 101 German course I found on Livemocha. Ten minutes is an incredibly long time!
I didn't expect to get so much done on my first day. I learned how to say things like "How are you?" ("Wie geht es dir?") and basic sentences which will be useful if I ever need to ask for directions like "Where is..." ("Wo ist...?")
I did study German in the past, but I didn't really enjoy it. This time, I hope to get something out of the hours of studying I'm going to put in this month.
Five hours over a month isn't much, but I bet that I'll learn more by being a tortoise and taking in slow than by learning German for a week and then giving up.
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
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I'm going to study German every day for about a month. Today was my first day. I managed to complete the first lesson of the 101 German course I found on Livemocha. Ten minutes is an incredibly long time!
I didn't expect to get so much done on my first day. I learned how to say things like "How are you?" ("Wie geht es dir?") and basic sentences which will be useful if I ever need to ask for directions like "Where is..." ("Wo ist...?")
I did study German in the past, but I didn't really enjoy it. This time, I hope to get something out of the hours of studying I'm going to put in this month.
Five hours over a month isn't much, but I bet that I'll learn more by being a tortoise and taking in slow than by learning German for a week and then giving up.
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
Subscribe to my blog (RSS feed): http://feeds.feedburner.com/FluentLanguageLearnANewLanguageToday
Why Languages Are Like Flowers
Welcome to Fluent Language. Click on the little icons on the right-hand side of the page to Digg this website or add it to StumbleUpon if you like it. It only takes a couple of minutes!
Recently, I bought a cactus, or more precisely, a Sempervivum. It's a plant that's similar to a cactus, but that looks more flower-like.
It's extremely resistant to dryness and harsh weather conditions. It needs some light to grow, and that's it.
After moving my Sempervivum from one window to another for the umpteenth time, it dawned on me—this cute little plant is like a Romance language. It's easy to learn, beautiful, and forgiving!
I bought a plant that's easy to care for because I always forget to water my flowers regularly.
You should pick your target language depending on your schedule and your ability to work on your target language regularly.
Do you want to study a foreign language that's more like a cactus or like a fragile rose?
It's your call!
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Recently, I bought a cactus, or more precisely, a Sempervivum. It's a plant that's similar to a cactus, but that looks more flower-like.
It's extremely resistant to dryness and harsh weather conditions. It needs some light to grow, and that's it.
After moving my Sempervivum from one window to another for the umpteenth time, it dawned on me—this cute little plant is like a Romance language. It's easy to learn, beautiful, and forgiving!
I bought a plant that's easy to care for because I always forget to water my flowers regularly.
You should pick your target language depending on your schedule and your ability to work on your target language regularly.
Do you want to study a foreign language that's more like a cactus or like a fragile rose?
It's your call!
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
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Why Sticky Notes Are Useful for Learning Foreign Languages
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Sticky notes (or Post-Its) are useful for learning foreign languages because you can stick them everywhere. I suggest you cover your walls with them if you want to learn your new language fast!
Draw on them, write sentences and cool words on them, and replace them often.
If you haven't made new ones lately, move around the old sticky notes so that your eyes don't get accustomed to seeing them in the same place.
If you like lying on your bed, you could also invest in a poster for your ceiling.
Sticking notes onto your computer is also a good idea if you use the internet a lot.
Use sticky notes to review difficult words, especially the ones that you always fail to remember when you're going over your flash cards.
It's okay if you don't have Post-its: just take a piece of paper and some sticky tape. I suggest you decorate the fridge and/or the bathroom mirror to start!
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Sticky notes (or Post-Its) are useful for learning foreign languages because you can stick them everywhere. I suggest you cover your walls with them if you want to learn your new language fast!
Draw on them, write sentences and cool words on them, and replace them often.
If you haven't made new ones lately, move around the old sticky notes so that your eyes don't get accustomed to seeing them in the same place.
If you like lying on your bed, you could also invest in a poster for your ceiling.
Sticking notes onto your computer is also a good idea if you use the internet a lot.
Use sticky notes to review difficult words, especially the ones that you always fail to remember when you're going over your flash cards.
It's okay if you don't have Post-its: just take a piece of paper and some sticky tape. I suggest you decorate the fridge and/or the bathroom mirror to start!
Subscribe to my blog (RSS feed): http://feeds.feedburner.com/FluentLanguageLearnANewLanguageToday
Useful Tip To Learn Words
Welcome to Fluent Language. Click on the little icons on the right-hand side of the page to Digg this website or add it to StumbleUpon if you like it. It only takes a couple of minutes!
You should associate "problem" words with a word you already know. For example, if you're learning the word "bed" in Italian (= il letto), you can think of the verb "to let" to help you remember it.
Words like "la marée" (= "the tide"), can be learned easily using this method. Of course, you need to think of good words that will help you remember the translation!
"La marée" sounds a bit like "Mary". Learning a sentence like "Mary likes to walk on the beach when the tide is low." is probably a good idea if you're struggling with the word "marée"!
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You should associate "problem" words with a word you already know. For example, if you're learning the word "bed" in Italian (= il letto), you can think of the verb "to let" to help you remember it.
Words like "la marée" (= "the tide"), can be learned easily using this method. Of course, you need to think of good words that will help you remember the translation!
"La marée" sounds a bit like "Mary". Learning a sentence like "Mary likes to walk on the beach when the tide is low." is probably a good idea if you're struggling with the word "marée"!
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
Subscribe to my blog (RSS feed): http://feeds.feedburner.com/FluentLanguageLearnANewLanguageToday
Why Rosetta Stone Rocks
Affiliate disclosure: After trying out several Rosetta Stone products, I've decided to talk about their software here. Any Amazon link (affiliate link) on this website and blog post will earn me a commission if you buy an item on Amazon after clicking my affiliate link.
I know, some people say Rosetta Stone (get a good deal on it here on Amazon) can be quite boring to use. Well, they don't know what they're talking about and haven't explored the software in depth.
For starters, Rosetta Stone helps you acquire natural-sounding pronunciation in your target language. Speaking exercises, even in front of a computer, are always very useful!
You won't be judged by a native speaker. If your computer doesn't understand you the first few times when you repeat a word, it's no big deal. Just try again until you pass the exercise.
I've yet to find a native speaker who is as patient as Rosetta Stone when correcting my faulty pronunciation...
For harder languages or difficult sounds such as the "rolled/trilled" R in Spanish or Japanese's "robotic" sounds or Chinese tones, not to mention that tricky French R and those nasal sounds, having a personal tutor at your disposal any day of the week is very important.
Moreover, Rosetta Stone is based on repetition. Repetition is the name of the game when you want to learn languages. Each vocabulary word is associated with a beautiful picture, which is a nice bonus.
The grammar exercises are a godsend for beginners. There are five levels for most languages, so this language-learning method will keep you occupied for a few months at the very least.
And re-doing lessons from time to time is instrumental to your success.
If you don't have much time to dedicate to language learning and want someone to pave the road for you, consider using Rosetta Stone. Click on the link to see if you can get a good price on it on Amazon. Such quality software is worth mentioning on a language blog.
And why not shop around for more language learning material while you're at it?
You won't have to look for that perfect grammar book or pay an expensive tutor anymore, especially not if you're a beginner. You'll get vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation exercises along with colorful images to help you jog your memory whenever a word is hard to remember.
Subscribe to my blog (RSS feed): http://feeds.feedburner.com/FluentLanguageLearnANewLanguageToday
I know, some people say Rosetta Stone (get a good deal on it here on Amazon) can be quite boring to use. Well, they don't know what they're talking about and haven't explored the software in depth.
For starters, Rosetta Stone helps you acquire natural-sounding pronunciation in your target language. Speaking exercises, even in front of a computer, are always very useful!
You won't be judged by a native speaker. If your computer doesn't understand you the first few times when you repeat a word, it's no big deal. Just try again until you pass the exercise.
I've yet to find a native speaker who is as patient as Rosetta Stone when correcting my faulty pronunciation...
For harder languages or difficult sounds such as the "rolled/trilled" R in Spanish or Japanese's "robotic" sounds or Chinese tones, not to mention that tricky French R and those nasal sounds, having a personal tutor at your disposal any day of the week is very important.
Moreover, Rosetta Stone is based on repetition. Repetition is the name of the game when you want to learn languages. Each vocabulary word is associated with a beautiful picture, which is a nice bonus.
The grammar exercises are a godsend for beginners. There are five levels for most languages, so this language-learning method will keep you occupied for a few months at the very least.
And re-doing lessons from time to time is instrumental to your success.
If you don't have much time to dedicate to language learning and want someone to pave the road for you, consider using Rosetta Stone. Click on the link to see if you can get a good price on it on Amazon. Such quality software is worth mentioning on a language blog.
And why not shop around for more language learning material while you're at it?
You won't have to look for that perfect grammar book or pay an expensive tutor anymore, especially not if you're a beginner. You'll get vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation exercises along with colorful images to help you jog your memory whenever a word is hard to remember.
Subscribe to my blog (RSS feed): http://feeds.feedburner.com/FluentLanguageLearnANewLanguageToday
Start Learning Vocabulary Today!
Welcome to Fluent Language. Click on the little icons on the right-hand side of the page to Digg this website or add it to StumbleUpon if you like it. It only takes a couple of minutes!
Today, it's decided: you'll start learning vocabulary in your target language.
Type "vocabulary in Spanish/Chinese/Japanese" into your favorite search engine and click OK.
Pick the first website that appeals to you and check it out. Is it interesting? Does it offer word lists?
If you find a themed word list, I suggest you copy and paste it into Open Office or Word.
Then, print the page and start learning the words!
Yup, it's as simple as that. Just don't forget to ask a nice native speaker to pronounce the more difficult words for you. If you don't know someone who speaks the language you're learning, learn phonetics (= written symbols that represent sounds). That way, you can check the phonetics of the difficult words in your dictionary. It's a really good way to improve your pronunciation!
Liked this post? Share it with your friends!
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
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Today, it's decided: you'll start learning vocabulary in your target language.
Type "vocabulary in Spanish/Chinese/Japanese" into your favorite search engine and click OK.
Pick the first website that appeals to you and check it out. Is it interesting? Does it offer word lists?
If you find a themed word list, I suggest you copy and paste it into Open Office or Word.
Then, print the page and start learning the words!
Yup, it's as simple as that. Just don't forget to ask a nice native speaker to pronounce the more difficult words for you. If you don't know someone who speaks the language you're learning, learn phonetics (= written symbols that represent sounds). That way, you can check the phonetics of the difficult words in your dictionary. It's a really good way to improve your pronunciation!
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Start Studying Your New Language with Google Today
Today is your day. Why? Because today is the day you'll start studying your new language.
No matter how late it is, you can do something productive *right* now.
I am sure you use search engines on a daily basis. Some search engines are better than others when you want to learn a foreign language.
I recommend search engines like Google because you can choose the language you want your search results to be in. Go to Google.com, select Settings and choose your target language.
Doing this will take you about two minutes, and it will enable you to search the web in another language!
Always use Google Translate if you don't understand a website. You'll learn tons of new words if you ditch English when you do research on something that you find interesting!
Don't forget to do some research in whichever language you're learning every day. You'll make progress really fast.
Share this page on social networks such as Digg or Stumbleupon if you like it! The social media icons are below "Share this page" on the right-hand side of the blog. It only takes a couple of minutes!
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No matter how late it is, you can do something productive *right* now.
I am sure you use search engines on a daily basis. Some search engines are better than others when you want to learn a foreign language.
I recommend search engines like Google because you can choose the language you want your search results to be in. Go to Google.com, select Settings and choose your target language.
Doing this will take you about two minutes, and it will enable you to search the web in another language!
Always use Google Translate if you don't understand a website. You'll learn tons of new words if you ditch English when you do research on something that you find interesting!
Don't forget to do some research in whichever language you're learning every day. You'll make progress really fast.
Share this page on social networks such as Digg or Stumbleupon if you like it! The social media icons are below "Share this page" on the right-hand side of the blog. It only takes a couple of minutes!
Subscribe to my blog (RSS feed): http://feeds.feedburner.com/FluentLanguageLearnANewLanguageToday If you like this website, recommend it to your friends!
Choose Which Foreign Language to Learn in Five Steps
Welcome to Fluent Language. Click on the little icons on the right-hand side of the page to Digg this website or add it to StumbleUpon if you like it. It only takes a couple of minutes!
1. Pick a language that sounds nice. Don't learn a language that grates on your ears! For example, I would never learn Japanese because I don't like high-pitched voices. However, Turkish and German sound nicer in my opinion.
2. If you want your language journey to be both pleasant and useful, don't choose a language that doesn't exist! Seriously, don't bother learning Esperanto, or worse, Klingon. You won't be able to monetize it once you've mastered it.
3. Take some time to look at your family tree. If you have Spanish origins, consider studying Spanish so that you can communicate with your relatives in their native language.
4. If you're a student, pick a language that will help you obtain your degree. I know that school isn't fun, but you have to study if you want to get a good job. Why not study something that you like, such as Chinese?
5. If you really don't know which language to choose, don't worry. Just flip a coin or something. I'm serious—as long as you're motivated, you *will* become fluent. If you're American, I'd recommend you study either Spanish or French. Both of these languages are widely spoken and useful.
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1. Pick a language that sounds nice. Don't learn a language that grates on your ears! For example, I would never learn Japanese because I don't like high-pitched voices. However, Turkish and German sound nicer in my opinion.
2. If you want your language journey to be both pleasant and useful, don't choose a language that doesn't exist! Seriously, don't bother learning Esperanto, or worse, Klingon. You won't be able to monetize it once you've mastered it.
3. Take some time to look at your family tree. If you have Spanish origins, consider studying Spanish so that you can communicate with your relatives in their native language.
4. If you're a student, pick a language that will help you obtain your degree. I know that school isn't fun, but you have to study if you want to get a good job. Why not study something that you like, such as Chinese?
5. If you really don't know which language to choose, don't worry. Just flip a coin or something. I'm serious—as long as you're motivated, you *will* become fluent. If you're American, I'd recommend you study either Spanish or French. Both of these languages are widely spoken and useful.
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
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Use Horoscopes to Learn Languages
Welcome to Fluent Language. Click on the little icons on the right-hand side of the page to Digg this website or add it to StumbleUpon if you like it. It only takes a couple of minutes!
Horoscopes are great, because the language they are written in is simple to understand and punchy.
You can find horoscopes in any language, and they are almost always free.
Are you learning German, Spanish, Chinese or English? Type "horoscope in Spanish" in your favorite search engine, and it will turn up with a lot of websites that can help you learn your new language. If you type "astrology" in your second language (for example, "astrologie" in French), you will get more answers, because the websites will already be in English, French or German.
You can subscribe to a newsletter to get your horoscope in your email box every day. It's the best way to read often and become bilingual.
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Horoscopes are great, because the language they are written in is simple to understand and punchy.
You can find horoscopes in any language, and they are almost always free.
Are you learning German, Spanish, Chinese or English? Type "horoscope in Spanish" in your favorite search engine, and it will turn up with a lot of websites that can help you learn your new language. If you type "astrology" in your second language (for example, "astrologie" in French), you will get more answers, because the websites will already be in English, French or German.
You can subscribe to a newsletter to get your horoscope in your email box every day. It's the best way to read often and become bilingual.
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
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Become Fluent in a Foreign Language Fast: Start Using Flash Cards to Learn Vocabulary!
Welcome to Fluent Language. Click on the little icons on the right-hand side of the page to Digg this website or add it to StumbleUpon if you like it. It only takes a couple of minutes!
Flash cards are really important when you study a language. Do you already have a vocabulary deck?
If you have your deck of flash cards, you will want to learn all the words that it contains by heart. If you don't know how to become fluent by learning vocabulary, it's okay. Here's how:
1. Take a little stack of flash cards and read the English side of the first card.
2. Think hard and try to translate the word into your native language.
3. If you find the translation quickly enough, put the word in the "known words" box.
4. If you can't remember how to said the word in your target language, put the card in the "unknown words" box.
5. You can use more boxes if it helps you study your language, but keeping it simple is often better. You either know the vocabulary, or you don't!
6. Learn more words everyday, make some flash cards, and go over the words that are in the red box from time to time.
7. Try to use your new vocabulary regularly in e-mails and in conversation so that you memorize it faster.
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
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Flash cards are really important when you study a language. Do you already have a vocabulary deck?
If you have your deck of flash cards, you will want to learn all the words that it contains by heart. If you don't know how to become fluent by learning vocabulary, it's okay. Here's how:
1. Take a little stack of flash cards and read the English side of the first card.
2. Think hard and try to translate the word into your native language.
3. If you find the translation quickly enough, put the word in the "known words" box.
4. If you can't remember how to said the word in your target language, put the card in the "unknown words" box.
5. You can use more boxes if it helps you study your language, but keeping it simple is often better. You either know the vocabulary, or you don't!
6. Learn more words everyday, make some flash cards, and go over the words that are in the red box from time to time.
7. Try to use your new vocabulary regularly in e-mails and in conversation so that you memorize it faster.
If you liked this article, please do something nice for me! For example, you can give my blog's address to your friends, or use StumbleUpon and Digg to make it more popular. Thanks!
Subscribe to my blog (RSS feed): http://feeds.feedburner.com/FluentLanguageLearnANewLanguageToday
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