How Not to Learn a Language

Read too much

Apart from grammar, another thing people associate with languages is reading. They think that if they can read a twelve-page document on marketing, they can speak the language. Not so, as a matter of fact, it’s possible to be able to read fluently in a language but not understand nor be understood by a native speaker. The important thing to remember is that languages were spoken first and written later, indeed, even now, writing must adapt to new ways of speaking. For example, many new words that come into use are only later written down and even then, have various possible spellings. Reading books and books in and about a foreign language will leave you speaking with a heavy accent, in a slow, unnatural manner. The best way to learn is to speak and listen alot, then later see how it’s written and try to understand the rules. Doing this will give you a more natural, authentic and fluent way of speaking.

Focus on the unessential/abstract

It might be worthwhile remembering that native speakers too sometimes have problems with their own language. For instance, do you the rules regarding the subjuntive mood in English? Most would not, they learn it just by being in the environment and hearing it said constantly, so much so that hearing it differently sounds ‘wrong’ or ‘weird’. With second language learning it’s the same story, except we don’t learn a language for the same amount of time as a native speaker would, so we need the help of books and explanations. However, the point remains, you can spend years studying the ins and outs of every tense, rule and variety of a language but the important thing is whether or not you can have a conversation with a local and be understood.

Forget about it once fluent

Often neglected but nonetheless important, one can forget or become rusty at a language through lack of practice. It’s not uncommon that someone goes away for a year, becomes fluent at a language, then forgets about it once they get back, considering it ‘learnt’ or ‘finished’. However, some amount of practice is usually needed to avoid losing fluency. Speaking once a week with a friend or writing a journal in the foreign language are usually sufficient. Making friends who are native speakers of the target language while it is very useful, you can keep in contact with them when you go home or once you’ve become fluent to fight away any rust that may develop.

The most important thing to remember with a language is that it is a living thing, it is not accessed through books and rules, rather, through living is and speaking with the people. It should not be a boring, forced activity that you dread each week, instead it should be an amazing adventure of discovery into another culture and history. Languages are spoken by people, so go out and talk to someone.