<\/p>\n
We have met many friends who speak multiple languages here at Language Exchange; people who grew up in a multicultural, and bilingual environment. In fact, we noticed that these days, especially with the youth\u2014\u2019Millennials\u2019, as we call them, that it\u2019s almost a common thing to at least speak two languages. But maybe as you read this, you shake your head, thinking, \u2018Nope. not for me.\u2019, yes, it\u2019s true; learning a language is not an easy task\u2014especially if you\u2019re not fond of sitting long hours, memorizing phrases from monotonous books. But it doesn\u2019t have to be hard either.<\/span><\/p>\n Learning a language is a lifetime pursuit. But it\u2019s one of the most rewarding skills you can learn in life.<\/span><\/p>\n We have found 3 important things to keep in mind when learning a language. Skills that you\u2019ll need to develop as you go on learning. And what I love about these skills, is that it\u2019s not limited to one language. You can apply these to any language you want to learn in the future. So here are three indispensable skills when learning a language.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I want to stop you for a moment. Now, I want you to think how infants\u00a0learn how to speak. Yes, they learn by observing first. Babies learn the meaning of the word \u2018no\u2019 and \u2018bye-bye\u2019 without reading books. They simply learn these words by experiencing the word meaning in context. When \u2018daddy\u2019 goes to work he says, \u201cbye-bye\u201d. When mommy warns little baby not to eat the sand she says, \u201cNo,\u201d often with a big, \u201cNO\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n Now put it in context, it\u2019s the same with us adults\u2014err grown ups. The first step when learning the language is to observe the speakers of the language first.<\/span><\/p>\n Observe the articulation of the syllables\u2014the length, dynamics, and abruptness of the words being pronounced. The key here is to pay attention well. Become better at observing, and you\u2019ll get better at speaking.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The outcome of good observation is accurate mimicking. Practice\u00a0mimicking the speakers\u2014how they say the words of their language. Stand in front of the mirror. Record yourself, and listen to your pronunciation based off of their pronunciation.<\/span><\/p>\n Learn to resemble their pronunciation to yours, because the more you sound like them, the understandable you are to them. You can do people a huge favor by talking to them the same they talk. It\u2019ll help them understand you better. And here\u2019s a fact, did you know that it\u2019s a lot easier to remember words when you actually speak them out loud?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n1.) Observation<\/span><\/h2>\n
2.) Mimicking<\/span><\/h2>\n
3.) Ask questions<\/span><\/h2>\n