Comments on: How to Actually Learn a Foreign Language

By: Charlie (@worldexplora)

Charlie (@worldexplora) — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 08:10:25 +0000

Great tips! I’m just starting out learning Spanish on Duolingo in prep for travel next year, and loving it! Feel free to add me if you fancy, charlie_beth, healthy competition is always a great motivator ;) been meaning to check out memrise, downloading the app now. Best of luck with your learning!

By: Oliver

Oliver — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 00:19:34 +0000

I think the most important point is probably immersing yourself in a language. A bit like testing the water with your toe by learning the basics, but your probably will start (learning) to swim once you took the plunge… :)
Another advice once you are abroad: carry paper and pen wherever you go! In the most random situation you will come across people and words, so be prepared. Write things down or let people write it down for you. I’m a person who needs to read unknown words in order to remember them.

By: The Guy

The Guy — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 22:31:47 +0000

Hi Luke and Charlie. This article has lots of great tips and I must admit that many of them are new to me. I’m afraid that I am a typical Brit in that I am awful at learning languages. I may have gained many As at various subjects in school but I always struggled with languages.

I do think that if you throw yourself into the situation with no escape, that is go and live in a place for a few weeks that it is the best way to learn. You have to learn because it is the only way you’ll get by.

By: Charlie on Travel

Charlie on Travel — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 12:53:12 +0000

In reply to Ola. Yes, that's true! I find myself going through phases of being really motivated and then not motivated a t all. We're also living in a bit of a rural place and only really get practice when asking the neighbour for eggs and milk in Spanish... Good luck with your language learning too, Ola!

By: Ola

Ola — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 12:39:37 +0000

From my experience motivation in the most important thing in learning a language. I have tried to master a few but I always fail as soon as my motivation fades :) and I’ve just realised that I haven’t touched my German in two days :P

By: Charlie on Travel

Charlie on Travel — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 22:13:50 +0000

In reply to HannahontheMap.

Thanks, Hannah! Wow, awesome, and congratulations! Language learning certainly is a struggle and I’m sad to say neither of us are fluent in a second language yet – yes, unfortunately not single over here! We’ve got a lot of expat friends who have really benefited from their other half speaking a different native language. We’re travelling in Costa Rica and Central America now, so hopefully that will be the case with our Spanish :)

By: HannahontheMap

HannahontheMap — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 21:21:19 +0000

Great tips! I definitely used these when learning Portuguese. I’m fluent now, but the beginning was a struggle. I recommend if you’re single, getting a boyfriend/girlfriend who speaks that language!!! You need to be forced to speak that language, even in times you “don’t feel like speaking it” or in times you don’t know how to express yourself. If you only practice and speak it when you feel like it, you’ll never learn and become fluent.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 19:38:47 +0000

Yes, short regular chunks of learning each day! I really enjoyed reading this lovely friendly little piece. Thank you.

By: Agness

Agness — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 00:36:08 +0000

Great tips! I’ve been studying Dutch since September last year as I’m moving to Amsterdam for my master’s degree in 2 months. From my experience I can tell you that it’s all about consistency. I try to devote 30 minutes a day to do my tasks with Rosetta Stone (which I highly recommend to everyone) and I can see the results. My speaking has improved a lot!

By: Charlie on Travel

Charlie on Travel — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 00:35:43 +0000

In reply to Daniel Sturrock. Does that help, or does it just make you want to not use Facebook and StumbleUpon!? haha!