Sara and Noor are colleagues working in a multinational corporation. Both of them are equals in terms of competency, skill sets and abilities. However, their organization chooses to send Noor for an international assignment in Spain instead of Sara. Noor’s working knowledge of Spanish works in her favor, prompting management to pick her for the task over her equally capable colleague. When she hears the news, Sara thinks resentfully, “Had I known Spanish, I could have been on that plane flying to Barcelona in place of Noor. But how to learn a new language? Where do I even begin?”
The good news is learning a language isn’t rocket science. Like Sara, if you’re also wondering how to learn foreign languages and how to remember new words, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll take you through the steps to learn another language. You’ll also discover the range of benefits that come with learning a language. Let’s dive right into it!
How To Learn Different Languages: Key Steps
When you’re pondering how to learn different languages, it’s essential, to begin with, smaller, achievable targets. Such targets can include learning a new phrase, a word or even a foreign alphabet. However, as important as it is to set goals, it’s equally important to stick to them. While enrolling for a foreign language class is always an option, let’s look at a few other steps you can follow to learn another language with ease:
1. Utilize Technology
The advent of digitalization and technology has in many ways simplified the learning process. And this applies to the process of learning a language, too. Utilize technology to its full potential to learn another language while simultaneously honing your language skills. Many dynamic language learning apps are now available, with interactive learning sessions and online classes that come hand-in-hand with quality instructors from all over the world. You can not only browse web pages in the language you’re trying to pick up and view translations in real-time but also access online dictionaries and connect with fluent speakers of a language over social media.
2. Watch Foreign Content
What can be more enjoyable than combining learning and entertainment? Exploring foreign content allows you to do just that. Movies, web series and online videos can go a long way in helping you progress in your language learning journey while at the same time helping you unwind after a long day. Make sure to have subtitles and automatic captions turned on and pay close attention to pronunciation while watching foreign content. Children’s movies with easy vocabulary and dialogue are a good place to begin because these are usually easier to follow for learners who have just begun their foray into a foreign language. You can also opt to break up a foreign language movie into multiple parts and watch one part each day to properly pace yourself in your learning journey. Regularly watching foreign content can also help you remember new words and phrases better by contextualizing them.
3. Read Texts
If you’re still wondering how to remember new words in a foreign language, reading texts written in your target language is key. Be it a printed book or an e-book, reading is essential to grasp the nuances of grammar and expand your vocabulary in a particular language. Once again, it’s important to start with books that use simple, short sentences and basic vocabulary to not overwhelm yourself. It’s also a good practice to read comics and translated versions of your favorite books to learn another language.
4. Connect With Natives
Experts agree that sometimes the best way to learn another language is traveling to the place where that language is spoken and connecting with the natives there. Because natives have grown up with the language and know the intricacies of the same, they’re best equipped to help you on your journey of picking it up with ease. Natives are also experts at conversational speaking and can acquaint you with colloquial words and phrases as well as proverbial expressions in the language you’re trying to learn.
5. Take Notes
The age-old formula of taking notes while learning something new works in the case of trying to learn another language as well. If you’re still unsure of how to learn foreign languages, begin by taking notes whenever you pick up a new word or phrase in the language you’re trying to learn. Taking notes helps you commit a new word, phrase or grammar rule to memory, allowing you to retain whatever you’re learning. Personalize your note-taking process according to your needs, using either a note-taking app or traditional pen and paper.
6. Speak
If you set out on the path of learning a language, you’ll need to brush your awkwardness aside and speak in the language you’re trying to pick up. Only when you start using the new language every day are you going to get comfortable with it. Alongside practicing in isolation, also try and seek out natives or people who are fluent in your target language to converse with. They can offer you valuable feedback to help you correct your pronunciation and grammar. What’s more, you’ll also get to polish your communication skills in the process.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to learning a language. Every language is unique in its own way and comes with its own set of challenges. However, the above-mentioned steps can help get you started on the path to learning a language and make the learning process not only simpler but also more enjoyable.
Benefits Of Learning A Language
Learning a language brings a wide range of benefits and skills to the table, helping you transform into the best version of yourself over time. Let’s look at some of the top benefits of learning a language:
1. Better Memory
Learning a language can significantly boost memory. Swedish researchers conducted an experiment where volunteers were taken through a 10-month language course. After the course, the volunteers were able to remember the names of acquaintances 28% better. It was also found that these people experienced better growth in four primary areas of the brain that are directly linked with memory.
2. Improved Communication Skills
Learning a language can improve your communication skills, making you a better communicator. This helps you network better, which, in turn, works wonders for your professional journey. Studies have shown that people who know and speak more than one language are better at non-verbal communication as well.
3. More Employment Opportunities
Additional skills are always a plus in any resume. Learning and mastering a language can add another feather to your cap, tipping the odds in your favor when it comes to employment opportunities. Today, many organizations have offices spread out in multiple countries. Knowing another language can boost your chances of bagging that much-coveted position in a foreign country while also helping you tackle foreign clients and vendors.
4. Confidence Boost
The targets you set for yourself while learning a language can significantly boost your confidence as you work toward them and eventually accomplish them. Learning another language also allows you to expand your horizons—be it in terms of career options or meeting new people. You’re able to enjoy foreign content and soak up diverse cultures, all of which help boost your self-confidence.
5. Open-Mindedness
People who learn another language have been found to be more open-minded and tolerant of diverse cultures and opinions. Learning a language can bridge cultural gaps, allowing individuals to connect with people of varied backgrounds. This leads to mutual respect, trust and solidarity between different nationalities.
Patience and practice are key while learning a language. Because you’re venturing into the unknown when you take up a foreign language, it’s important to give yourself time to fully grasp its nuances. Don’t beat yourself up if you make mistakes and remember to take one step at a time.
Unlock A New World
Polyglot and linguist Matthew Youlden says in his TEDx Talk, “Languages are often perceived to be the great unknown. We like to think of them as something unfamiliar, yet we know so much about them because all human languages have their own peculiar yet beautiful ways of expressing ideas, concepts and reality, even if we’re not aware of it at first. By now delving into the unknown and realizing the familiar, we’ll be able to master one of the most fulfilling, rewarding and efficient skills we possess as humans: human communication.”
If you’re looking to upskill and wondering how to learn another language, Harappa’s Learning Agility pathway can be your guide. It comes with frameworks such as Kolb’s Cycle Of Experiential Learning and Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, helping you foster curiosity, embrace change and utilize past experiences to perform well in first-time situations. As you pick up Thrive Skills such as Assimilating Knowledge and Intellectual Curiosity, you learn to continuously seek, absorb and interpret new information and actively participate in cognitively challenging tasks. Sign up today for Harappa’s Learning Agility pathway and unlock a new world of ideas and innovation.