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Learning a new language is a big task and, if you are to be successful, you must put in some serious time and effort. There are many different ways of learning a new language; school or college lessons, online tutorials, books, CD’s and iPod tutorials. Results always differ and, depending on who you are and how much time you put it, the most successful way to do this is generally a combination of all of the above.
One guaranteed method of acquiring a new language, that always works, is to actually live in the home country of that language. After a few months in a different country, you will develop a much greater understanding of the language. Here are five key reasons why:
Focus
There is a big difference between learning a language in your own country or the home of that language. If you’re learning it in your own country, it generally won’t be your main focus. You will probably hold down a job or study other subjects as well. Once you have had your lessons, you will be able to go home or out with friends and forget all about it. But if you’re in the country it is your main focus and priority.
Environment
When you live in a different country there is no escaping the language. With the television, newspapers and every person you interact with in bars, shops and on public transport; you are constantly hearing and speaking pieces of the language and the learning non-stop. You will also feel the need to fit in with those around you and your desire to learn will grow.
Online Distant Learning
If paying the fees to a language school is too expensive then another option is to study online whilst you’re in a different country. This way you can still receive all of the other benefits of living abroad, such as the focus, social interaction and environment, and learn in your spare time. You could hold down a part-time job and then, whenever necessary, log on to your laptop and get learning.
Teachers
Sometimes in your own country, if you’re learning a different language, the teachers are not native speakers. Whereas in the home country all the teachers will be natives and have perfect knowledge of the language. For example if you were French and came to the UK to learn English, the teachers would by and large be better in a school such as Language in Group London than in you regular French school.
Social Interaction
You will meet far more native speakers by travelling to the home country and if you have friends who are fluent they can help and correct you. For example, if a Spanish student was studying at a Language in Group English School in the UK then they would end-up meeting and talking to many more native speakers than they would in Spain. |