I have been learning foreign languages and travelling for years. The truth is when I picked up English as a second language I was not the best student. My journey was not that smooth. In fact, I was my English tutor’s worst student. I was not that succesfulI in her eyes and, frankly, she didn’t think I would be succesful.

Long story forward, as of now I am fully fluent in 3 languages and there are 6 more on my list that I can’t wait to master! Here are my tips that really worked for me on how YOU could improve your language skills in the most efficient and effective way that I would like to share!

Top Tips for Studying Foreign Language

Say It Out Loud!

Reading aloud was one of my least favourite exercises when it came to language studies. It was taking me forever to finish a chapter which was causing much frustration. Looking back, I wish I had read more of it!

When we read silently we skim and neglect words we don’t understand. By reading aloud we slow down and give the words the attention they deserve – what they look like, how they should be pronounced and what they sound like. In other words, we form a complex link in our memory between our visual, muscular and auditory senses and are more likely to remember the content.
Record And Listen To Yourself
You don’t sound what you think you sound like in your head. A lot of times when we practice we are not saying it correctly. Recording and listening to yourself allows you to catch on the mistake you are making quicker and then work on it.

Recording and monitoring yourself in this way also gives you an opportunity to work on your voice. When we are speaking, sometimes we don’t sound how we think in our head. You probably think you sound so good, but in reality, you kind of don’t sometimes. Use this opportunity to practice your tone and pitch… So record yourself and monitor yourself in this way. Keep practising until you find the intonation you really like.
Memorise Vocabulary Words On A Daily Basis

As bothersome as it sounds, realistically this is the best way we can improve our language. Expanding our vocabulary is the only way to escape the low elo level and its limits. Whether it is a single word or a single phrase, identify a number YOU are comfortable with and keep pushing your vocabulary limit!

What worked for me was writing several sentences with my targeted word. This allows us to better comprehend and memorise all the different meanings the word might have.
Tip: Get a ”Phrase a day” calendar in a language you are studying.
Get A Tutor

As a child, I had little life experience. I had no choice but to follow the structure of lessons set up by my teacher. However, as an adult, I can choose what I want to learn.

Although well-structured learning material is helpful, as an adult, I might not have the luxury of time to go through every chapter and every exercise of a book to learn the things I might not necessarily need in the near future.

Make the most out of your tutoring sessions by first figuring out what you want to learn or an area where you could use some help and guidance. Then, let your tutor know what you want!

If you can afford a tutor I highly recommend you get one.
Find and utilise as many language tools as possible

We live in a day and time when it is so much easier to learn a new language. We have so many useful tools and ways of accessing them! Apps, YouTube channels, blogs and podcasts that effectively offer advice for free.

Surround yourself with these resources! We are consuming lots and lots of media nowadays. Surround yourself with the language you are learning. Look for books, audiobooks, videos, radio or songs – something that involves the target language that you would enjoy! Find a creator or a channel you like and hit that subscribe button!

My personal favourites are YouTube videos. Whether I need some help with grammar or pronunciation, I can always find an answer there!

If you decide to watch a movie – switch on subtitles in your target language! It might be challenging at the beginning. Even if you understand less than half of the content, keep pushing and persevering! Press that pause button when you hear or see a new word. Translate it. And keep watching.
Travel to the country to speak the language!

Travelling to a country where a foreign language is spoken can be an excellent opportunity for language learners to immerse themselves in the language and culture. There are many benefits to this type of language learning experience, including:

Immersion: Traveling to a foreign country provides an opportunity for complete immersion in the language and culture, which is one of the most effective ways to learn a new language. Surrounded by native speakers, learners have the opportunity to practice their language skills in real-life situations, such as ordering food, shopping, or asking for directions.

Cultural Experience: Traveling to a foreign country also provides an opportunity to learn about the culture and customs of the people who speak the language. This can deepen the language learner’s understanding of the language and make the experience more enjoyable and meaningful.

Improved Pronunciation: Being in a country where the language is spoken gives learners the chance to hear native speakers and learn the correct pronunciation of words and phrases.
Increased Vocabulary: Immersing in the language and culture allows learners to expand their vocabulary in a natural way, as they encounter new words and phrases in everyday situations.

Enhanced Confidence: Being in a foreign country and communicating in a new language can be challenging, but it also builds confidence in the language learner. The experience of navigating daily life in a foreign language can lead to a greater sense of accomplishment and confidence in the language.

In conclusion, travelling to a country to speak the language is a valuable experience for language learners. Whether for a short trip or an extended stay, immersion in the language and culture can lead to significant language improvement and a deeper appreciation of the culture.