Mastering a foreign language is one of the most sought-after and applicable skills of all (unfortunately, mastering the most important smiley faces on social media is not one of them), and the ability to communicate with other people will remain important for eternity. That is a fact.
But if you want to learn English fluently, you have around 750,000 words to learn, and languages like Japanese or Chinese don't even use the same alphabet as European languages. Learning to speak a new language takes a lot of work.
It doesn't matter which one you choose, you have to put in serious effort to master it. However, there are a few strategies and tricks that can help you tackle learning the new language in turbo mode.
We'll tell you how you can become fluent – or at least almost fluent – in a language in just twelve months.
The first 3 months
Move abroad and immerse yourself in the new language
Some things you just can't learn in class or in the classroom. If you really want to master a language, you should throw yourself into as many situations as possible in which you actually have to use that language. That means: living in the country.
You can learn a language abroad – but how long does it take? A few weeks will give you a first insight, while several months or even a whole year will definitely help you immerse yourself in the culture and language.
Do you want to learn Spanish? Then move to Madrid, Barcelona, Playa Tamarindo or Buenos Aires. Do you want to learn to speak French fluently? Then spend at least a few months in Paris or Nice.
In a foreign country you are forced to improvise, react and solve problems every day. Then it won't take long until you understand the language and the appropriate answers to questions become second nature to you.
This is especially important if you're learning a language that uses a completely different alphabet, like Japanese or Chinese. You'll get used to an authentic accent, you'll practice every day without it feeling like “learning,” and what's more, you'll have a good excuse to travel!
Watch TV
Try following the plot and dialogue of a television series in a foreign language. Watching a scene and trying to decipher characters' conversations helps the language center in your brain process new information in a more interesting, solution-oriented way, which in turn makes you more likely to remember it You actually notice what you have learned.
If you then read the subtitles, it will help you both to memorize the sentence structure and to check whether you really understand everything you hear.
For example, watch reruns of Friends to improve your English (here are some other series perfect for perfecting your English), watch the political thriller series Le Bureau des Légendes to learn to speak French fluently or watch Narcos on Netflix to quickly brush up on your Spanish.
Always ask. Always.
'No compromise!' You'd better delete it from your vocabulary very quickly. Seriously, don't ignore your gaps in knowledge if you don't understand an expression.
This is especially true in the first few months, because it's inevitable that a lot of things will be unclear to you at first. When you're talking to someone, feel free to ask questions, and when you read something and wonder what it means, just google it.
Scientific studies have shown that you're much more likely to remember things you've figured out or looked up yourself than things you're given in class simply because you solved the problem yourself. And science is always right!
Months 4 – 6
Listen to podcasts
The way to work can be easily used for learning. You don't have to spend every morning making beautiful eyes at the person you're talking to on the subway. First, you can download a series of learning podcasts on the topic “How to learn language X” and listen to one episode every day – until you feel proficient enough to translate the spoken word in your head.
The BBC, for example, produces a series of short and entertaining '6 Minutes of English' podcasts to help you learn English fluently. The next step is to look for a podcast that tells more, regardless of the language.
Choose a topic that interests you (for example, films or food) and then, as you listen, you get used to the natural speaking speed, colloquial language and authentic tone of a speaker without a script.
It's almost like having a casual conversation with friends, except you don't have to answer.
Practice and learn regularly
The key to learning any new skill is consistency. Consistency, sticking with it. As you slowly begin to master the basics, take time regularly to sit down and study with concentration.
Take at least an hour every day to repeat the difficult grammar rules that confuse you every time, or set a fixed number of verbs that you want to learn. The next day you practice them again so that they actually go into your long-term memory and are cemented there.
No exceptions (treat it like you would a diet or exercise) – because the more time and effort you put in, the faster you will see results.
Learn in tandem
Talking loudly and saying words and sentences out loud is one of the best ways to learn quickly, but it can be quite difficult if you don't yet speak confidently and fluently.
Try learning in tandem: team up with colleagues at the same level so you can speak, practice and improve together – this way the spoken word feels much more natural. You'll also make a lot of new friends, which is great!
Months 7 – 9
Read everything you can get your hands on
From books, classic literature, and magazines to the back of your cereal box, get used to reading all the time, everywhere, with words put together in the right order to form meaningful sentences and paragraphs.
Follow foreign news channels, blogs and popular social media websites so that your time on Facebook or Instagram is not wasted even when you are not actively studying or working.
Textbooks may prepare you for polite conversation and buying bus tickets, but if you want to expand your vocabulary and understanding of language, the best way to do that is to read as many different texts and forms of text as possible. Your knowledge-thirsty brain will thank you!
Now watch some more TV…
… but without subtitles! When you're ready to follow a follow Narcos If you can follow Spanish quite easily, then test your new skills by Los Tiempos de Pablo Escobar look at.
This documentary tells the drug lord's true story – complete and only in Spanish. YouTube channels can also help take your speaking skills and listening comprehension to a new level.
For French you can, for example Oh La La, Hollywood Speaks French subscribe. When learning English fluently, it also helps to watch the numerous English learning channels on YouTube, which familiarize you with the language and culture.
An exciting alternative is to learn several things at once, for example if you… Tedx Talks in a foreign language. Not only will you get to know some of the brightest and most creative minds in the world and their great ideas, you will also be able to follow these lectures extremely well because the speakers express themselves clearly, directly and thoughtfully.
Months 10 – 12
Talk, talk, talk
Once you've completed your language learning podcast courses, put the headphones away again. Out on the street and everywhere else, you should talk to other people. Make friends with native speakers outside of your study group.
Converse with them, but only in their own language – there is simply no better way to practice than real conversation. If you've moved abroad, you should get a hobby because it's an easy way to meet new people who have similar interests.
“Keep your chin up”
This English expression simply means: 'stay positive' (if you pay attention in class, you'll definitely come across it at some point…). Learning a new language is difficult.
There will be days when you feel like you're almost fluent, that you've really got it, but there will also be days when you're convinced that your brain has put up a barrier that's not a foreign one language will ever overcome.
A really high wall in your head. Don't let this discourage you. If you feel like you're not making any progress, look back over the last few months and realize how much you've already accomplished.
Read through your notes from the first lessons or translate a short, simple text. You will definitely quickly notice how much easier it is for you to do this and how much you have already learned – especially after a whole year! Stick with it and you'll definitely make it.
