| When researching about language learning, you'll | | | | results. |
| inevitably hear some folks refer to the language you | | | | Personally, I encourage students to develop study |
| want to study as "simple". They'll say things like, "Oh, | | | | techniques based on their personal strengths. Even the |
| that's a simple language compared to Mandarin, you'll | | | | best techniques can get you mediocre results if it's not |
| pick it up in a month." But, as anyone who studied a | | | | a good fit with the way you naturally learn. The |
| second language knows, you don't pick up an entire | | | | following items are some things you can do to ensure |
| vernacular in a month. | | | | a better experience of learning a new language, |
| English, for instance, is a very "simple" language. The | | | | whether you're working on the skillset using an audio |
| English alphabet only has 26 letters - certainly much | | | | course or a language software. |
| less than that of many other international dialects. Yet, | | | | 1. Acquire an ear. Even before starting your lessons, |
| is it really that easy to learn compared to other | | | | try to listen to songs or watch videos in your target |
| languages? | | | | language, without attempting to decipher or speak it. |
| According to many language experts, the difficulty of | | | | That will help you develop a familiarity with hearing it - |
| learning a particular vernacular will depend more on its | | | | an invaluable tool as you progress towards your |
| relationship with your native language as opposed to | | | | overall skill development. |
| any other innate challenge. If it features sentence | | | | 2. Think phrases. The best way to learn a language is |
| structures and grammar constructs that resemble your | | | | to work on phrases, instead of individual words. That's |
| native tongue, it will undoubtedly be much easier to | | | | the reason why early language practice usually |
| familiarize with. | | | | involves common phrases, instead of single-word |
| Even though you're studying what is supposed to be a | | | | lessons. Phrases give the words context as well as |
| "simple" language, never expect to cruise through it. | | | | start you on the path to adopting the nuances of |
| You'll still have to go through the same learning phases | | | | grammar. |
| - mastering the vocabulary, picking up syntax and | | | | 3. Imagine stories around words and phrases you learn. |
| working through nuances. Chances are, you'll have just | | | | As humans, we learn better when there's an emotional |
| a difficult a time with spoken Korean as you do with | | | | component to anything we try to master. Stories |
| spoken French, regardless of which language learning | | | | crafted around your target language can make |
| software you use. | | | | learning all that much easier - not to mention more fun. |
| Simply put, don't let appearances fool you. While a | | | | 4. Involve your life. If you can find a way to involve the |
| language may seem simple, it doesn't change the fact | | | | target language into your life, the faster the learning will |
| that you'll have to work through every facet of it to | | | | be. If you are living in a foreign country where the |
| integrate it into your skillset. Simple is not always easy. | | | | target language is the local vernacular, this becomes a |
| There are a thousand techniques for studying a new | | | | default part of your everyday studying. Under different |
| language. Remember how many strategies people | | | | circumstances, though, you'll have to be creative and |
| came up for their studying back in high school and | | | | find out how you'll best be able to integrate it into your |
| college? Almost every single one of those can be | | | | daily activities. |
| applied to language learning, with potentially similar | | | | |