Thinking about learning a new language? Get off to the right start with these tips from New Milford, NJ and online teacher Matthew H...
I’ve been teaching languages for several years now and I always run into the same concerns that students face. It doesn’t matter if I’m tutoring a high school student or teaching a middle-aged adult, many second-language learners fall into certain bad habits that hinder them from seeing the results they long for. Here are the top three ways to overcome learning a new language.
1. Never think you are too old or the language is too hard.
This is mainly an issue that middle-aged and above students face, but even some high school and college-level students will voice this concern. While it has been scientifically shown that the earlier you learn a new language the better you will be at mastering the pronunciation and overall accent, adults actually pick up on grammatical features such as verb conjugations, vocabulary, and sentence structure much faster and with greater accuracy than children. On top of that, developing a convincing accent is not impossible if you are willing to spend a good amount of time on preparation. This leads us to number two.
2. Do not underestimate the learning process.
Let’s face it. Learning a second (or third) language is not always easy. If it were, then there would be no need to have private lessons. Depending on what languages you already speak, the more or less challenging it will be to pick up on the next one. We all have different goals when deciding to learn a new language, whether for practical reasons (such as business or academic opportunities) or leisurely ones (travel to a foreign country, interest in a different culture), and we need to keep that in mind when developing a personalized lesson plan. Unfortunately, too often people will brush off the responsibilities associated with learning and then wonder why they aren’t seeing the results they hoped for. Language learning should be fun, but do not expect to master it overnight, especially if you do not practice on your own or complete any assignments your tutor designs for you.
3. DO allow yourself to make mistakes.
We tend to be our own worst critics, and this is especially true when it comes to learning a new language. As adults, we often become embarrassed or frustrated if we are unable to express ourselves as we would like. This is counterproductive when learning, as it can lead to disinterest or a complete lack of motivation. Rather than looking at mistakes (in pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary) as signs of failure, treat them as learning opportunities. Going back to the principle of children “learning better,” don’t forget that children often make tons of mistakes when speaking before they finally understand the rules of the language (saying “goed” instead of went, for example). The difference is that children are not so self-conscious and worried about what others think as adults. By emulating children in this regard, you will develop strong skills over time.
Follow these rules and you will be very pleased with the outcome!
Matthew H. teaches a variety of subjects both online and in New Milford, NJ. He recently received his MA from NYU with a background in Sociolinguistics and related research. Learn more about Matthew here!
Photo Gwen Harlow
Suzy S.