Learning a new language is not an easy task. There are moments of frustration, moments when one feels they want to quit and moments one sees the dream of becoming fluent fading… but wait! Luckily, there are some tips to make your grammar and vocabulary learning easier and faster to help you get through this. We’ve got you covered!
Here are 10 tips to facilitate your language learning experience:
- Get a good dictionary: The basic element of any language is words. A good dictionary can help you find the ‘missing piece in your puzzle’, as you can navigate in its pages to find all you need!
- Online recourses: Download from our website (https://timeforgreek.com/free-material/) the free material and Subscribe to our YouTube channel Time for Greek – which is a very handy way to engage you wherever you are, whenever you want. With great grammar and vocab content, learning while having fun is just a click away! Thumbs up for these perks of technology!
- Watch: Another awesome way to learn a language is by watching movies or shows in the language that you are learning (preferably without subtitles). In this way, you can enjoy your free time while easily learning new words and helping yourself to understand real-life discussions. Soon, you will be so accustomed to the new language that also your confidence will be boosted! Great, hah?
- Patters, patterns, patterns: In any language, grammar follows certain patterns. Especially when you are learning the parts of speech in a language (i.e., nouns, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions etc.), you will find out many repeated patterns that can help you. Try to identify them when making your own sentences (but without checking your grammar notes) and… there you go! You already got to the next level of your language expertise!
- Repetition is the mother of learning: This Latin proverb says it all. You need to consistently repeat what you learn to have it imprinted in your mind. To make this easier, find your learning style. For instance, if you are a person who learns more easily when listening to something/someone, record yourself speaking in the language you are trying to learn. If you are more of a visual learner, write on small pieces of paper rules/words and stick them around the house. In no time you will have all these imprinted in your mind without even realizing it!
- Don’t be shy: Ask (native speakers) for corrections. When speaking with them, most native speakers won’t interrupt you to correct you as they fear this would make you feel uncomfortable. So why don’t you yourself encourage them to correct you? It is a great idea as, in doing so, you can learn from your mistakes and start reaching your goal of becoming ‘one of the folks’!
- Framing is all you need: Why are you learning a new language? Is it because you need it for career purposes? Or is it because you are in love with the culture? To make your language learning easier, it is very helpful to set a clear motivation that will remind you why you are doing all this, and a goal (to which you must stick) that will be the power to drive you.
- Read interesting stuff: Reading books and magazines that excite you is one of the best ways to improve your grammar skills. And this is because it gives you an opportunity to see how grammar is applied in different contexts: from long narratives to short articles and speeches, reading can show you the way to thrive in grammar, while also relaxing you and inspiring you!
- Learn from your mistakes: When you are in a context in which you find yourself having made mistakes using the language (e.g., with vocabulary), reflect on what could have served you better, analyze what new words you read/heard, and think about how you could be more effective in the future. You know yourself better than anyone: you can help yourself by this analysis and by, above all, the celebration of your mistakes as they are the ones that will lead you to fluency!
- The teacher is important: Learning is a complex procedure. Having a teacher that is well educated, creative and passionate about what they do is vital. Finding the right tutor that fits your style and pace of learning can surely elevate your language acquisition and lead you to goal achievement. Encouragement is also crucial!
Are you already feeling more ready than ever to hop on a new language learning experience? Then we are here for you! Book your free trial lesson in https://timeforgreek.com/book-a-free-trial-lesson/ and let us indulge you in the beauty of the Greek language!
By Ioanna Karagianni