Travel Hack 8: How To Learn Foreign Language Quickly
How To Learn Foreign Language Quickly
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The ultimate lesson I've learned from travelling is the language barrier. Honestly, travelling to a foreign country wishing the locals to speak English is on top of my wish list. There are uncountable times where I am overcharged for food or fails to navigate the streets because I am familiar with the language. I am certain; it is impossible for someone to comprehend every language while you're in a different country. But, it is nice to pick up a few fundamentals phrases to inquire for directions, prices, or basic sentences like 'How are you?' to engage with the locals. After all, there are no harms from broadening your vocabulary competence right?
However, thanks to the advanced technology. We all now can learn a language in no time. Best thing? Most of the available applications are free too! Here are some of my tips & tricks to improve my language learning skills.
Set Your Goals
The first step you need to do is to identify your goal and focus on achieving it. Start with something you're more interested or familiar with. Perhaps you might want to start learning by watching a TV program that speaks a foreign language that you want to learn by reading the subtitles. It is more effective for learners by developing an interest. Once everything all set up, you'll feel more motivated to study and understand them by heart instead of memorizing them.
Be Fearless To Make Mistakes
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If you find an opportunity to practice your recent learned phrases or vocabulary, maximize it. Don't chick out without you even trying. What is the point if you don't use the language that you're learning?
In the Cognitive Learning Theory, ones learn better by establishing a stronger impact on the subject. For an instance, making mistakes makes you remember what's not to repeat. In addition, recognizing a word requires more practice in speech than writing. At times, you're more likely to be exposed to opportunities to speak to a person when you're abroad than writing to a person. Being fearless is the key to brush up your language skills.
Start With The Easy Ones
Learning how to count is the best topic to kick-start your language learning program. First, it is the easiest to remember and it's probably one of the most useful vocabs you need in your daily life. By counting the numbers from one to ten, daily for a week, you're a master of numbers in no time. Even though this is a typical move to learn new languages, but, the point is, starting from the easiest make you feel more achievable and accomplished!
Use of Language Apps
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This down to some of my favourite apps that help me along the way to improve my foreign language skills. Besides the use of Google translation, there are a few apps that I highly recommended for you.
-busuu
-babbel
These two apps are the best of all language apps that I've ever used. These two apps provide the major lessons that focus on speaking, writing, dialogue, vocabulary, and listening exercises. It's a perfect application to use while you're waiting for your transport to go home or an exercise for your brain before going to bed. I believe most of the apps don't provide you the opportunity to train your speaking proficiency. With these apps, you're allowed to be evaluated for your pronunciation and an opportunity to practice a fluent conversation with the built-in language trainer.
The Advantages of Learning Other Languages For Travel
I don't know how should I begin with the benefits because it's just too much to be listed out. However, what I find most interesting of having a foundation of a foreign language is, new opportunities will open up to you before your trip has started. How is it so?
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For an instance, if you're heading to Italy with an adequate ability to communicate in Italian, you have a higher chance to stay with a hosting family. Instead of staying at a small and stuffy dorm room, you're away from the tourist, and even get to enjoy some of the home-cooked meals with the host family. Most importantly, you're more connected with the locals and to create a memorable experience of your trip.
If there's an event or festival going on, you might as well just participate and to make good use of your second language command. At times, you're able to understand what was the festival about, interact with locals, and to unlock a new experience in your life. To sum things up, learning a new language definitely has more benefits than harms.
Check out some of my recent posts at the links below:
Travel Hack 7: The Ultimate Guide To Dubai For First-Timer
https://steemit.com/travelfeed/@explorernations/travel-hack-7-the-ultimate-guide-to-dubai-for-first-timerTravel Blog 36: Cheers At A Chemistry Laboratory?
https://steemit.com/travelfeed/@explorernations/travel-blog-36-cheers-at-a-chemistry-laboratoryTravel Blog 35: Barbecue Restaurant at JW Marriott Phu Quoc, Vietnam
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https://steemit.com/hacks/@explorernations/6-travel-hack-never-worry-about-packing-your-luggage-anymoreTravel Blog 33: Is Paris Your Dream City To Visit Too? (Part 2)
https://steemit.com/travel/@explorernations/travel-blog-33-is-paris-your-dream-city-to-visit-too-part-2Travel Blog 31: Is Paris Your Dream City To Visit Too?
https://steemit.com/travel/@explorernations/travel-blog-31-is-paris-your-dream-city-to-visit-tooTravel Blog 30: The 8 Authentic Street Eats in Bangkok That No One Tells You
https://steemit.com/food/@explorernations/travel-blog-30-the-8-authentic-street-eats-in-bangkok-that-no-one-tells-you
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Wow, you spell it out so clearly and even convinced us with the way cognitive learning works. Thanks @explornations :) I have this fear of communicating in a foreign language so I always avoid countries I can't speak. So thanks so much for the apps and also your great encouragement! Where are you at currently?
I am more than happy that it inspired you to voice out @happycrazycon. I used to fear for everything. At one point, I told myself, it's now or never. So, I always learn a few sentences ahead before traveling to a country. Even though it's not fluent, guess more of the locals are happy to know that we learn their language and to be happy to see our effort :) Anyway, I am in Singapore now. Will be traveling again soon.
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