5 ways to effectively learn a foreign language

Learning a new language is complex and individual. While some are banging their heads against the wall, trying to memorize at least "my name is Vasya", others already easily read Hamlet in the original and communicate with foreigners at ease. Why is the learning process so easy for them? Are there any special secrets of mastering a foreign language? You will learn about this below.

How we learn the language

When someone says that he is unable to learn a new language, then you want to object in response.

Anyone can learn a new language. This ability has been built into our brains since birth. It is thanks to her that we unconsciously and naturally master our native language. Moreover, being placed in an appropriate language environment, children are able to master a foreign language without any effort.

Yes, then we go to school, learn grammar and punctuation, polish and improve our knowledge, but the basis of our linguistic skills is precisely the basis that was laid in early childhood. Please note that this happens without any clever methods, language labs and tutorials.

Why can't we, already as adults, learn the second, third, fourth languages just as easily? Maybe this linguistic ability is inherent only in children, and disappears as they grow up?

This is partly true. The older we get, the more the plasticity of our brain (its ability to make new neurons and synapses) decreases. In addition to purely physiological obstacles, there is one more thing. The fact is that the process of mastering a language in adulthood is fundamentally different from that of children. Children are constantly immersed in the learning environment and acquire new knowledge at every step, while adults, as a rule, set aside certain hours for classes, and use their native language the rest of the time. Motivation is just as important. If a child simply cannot live without knowledge of the language, then an adult without a second language is quite capable of successfully existing.

This is all clear, but what practical conclusions can be drawn from these facts?

How should we learn a language

If you want to quickly and efficiently master a foreign language, then during the study you should try to follow some simple tips. They are aimed at minimizing the effect of age-related changes in your brain, and also help you go through the whole process as easily and invisibly as children do.

Spaced repetitions

This technique allows you to better memorize new words and concepts. It lies in the fact that you have to repeat the studied material at regular intervals, and the further, the smaller these intervals. For example, if you are learning new words, then they should be repeated several times during one lesson, then repeated the next day. Then again a few days later, and finally, consolidate the material after a week. This is how this process looks roughly on the graph:

One of the successful apps that take this approach is Duolingo. The program is able to keep track of which words you have learned, and reminds you to repeat them after a certain time. At the same time, new lessons are built using the material already studied, so that the knowledge you have gained is consolidated quite firmly.

Learn a language before bed

Mastering a new language requires, for the most part, simply memorizing large amounts of information. Yes, for grammar rules it is desirable to understand their application, but basically you will have to memorize new words together with examples. For better memorization, do not miss the opportunity to repeat the material again before bed. American scientists have confirmed that memorization before bedtime is much stronger than in a lesson held during the day.

Learn content, not just language

Teachers with great experience know very well that the abstract study of a foreign language is much more difficult than in the case of using it to master any interesting material. This is also confirmed by scientists. For example, recently it was staged in which one group of participants learned French in the usual way, and another instead taught one of the basic subjects in French. As a result, the second group showed significant progress in listening and translation. Therefore, make sure to complement your activities by consuming content of interest to you in the target language. This can be listening to podcasts, watching movies, reading books, and so on.

We are all constantly busy, and it is not so easy to set aside time for full-time activities. Therefore, many people limit themselves to 2-3 hours a week, specially allocated for a foreign language. However, it is much better to practice, even if less in time, but every day. Our brains don't have that big buffer of random access memory. When we try to cram the maximum amount of information into it in one hour, an overflow quickly sets in. Much more useful is small in duration, but frequent classes. Just perfect for this are special mobile applications that will allow you to practice at any free time.

Mix old and new

We are trying to quickly advance in training and get more new knowledge. However, this is not entirely correct. Much better is the case when the new is mixed with the already familiar material. So we not only learn fresh material more easily, but also consolidate the lessons learned. As a result, the process of mastering a foreign language is much faster.