There are many different ways outside the classroom to improve your foreign language skills.
It´s nearly time for you to pack your bags, board that plane and finally live the dream. Travel to that awesome country you’ve always wanted to and mingle with the locals and their culture.
But there is only one little problem.. You can’t speak their language.
Once upon a time Esperanto was to be the Universal language but these days it is English that is used in it’s place. If you don’t speak English either, don’t worry. It isn’t a big issue if you are only visiting a country for a short period of time and obviously won’t have time to become fluent.
It’s considered polite to learn some basic words such as “Hello”, “Please”, “Thank you” and it always puts a smile on the locals face’s. (Either because they appreciate our effort or because we sound funny)
For other more complex needs such as”Where can I buy some food?” or “Can I please have a beer?” there is always body language which is universal and usually saves us from hunger, thirst and other survival type needs.
When I moved to Australia I already spoke fluent English and even though I truly believe language immersion is the most effective way to learn another language, I still admire those people brave enough to venture to a foreign country without knowing at least the basics.
Here is my list of 6 tools/resources for language learning aimed at those on a budget and are moving to another country permanently, temporarily or simply backpacking:
This is a brilliant website for language learning and it is free. Livemocha.com is a social networking language learning site where you learn through audio-visual lessons while other users can aid you leaving reviews or helpful comments. You can also comment on other user’s lessons. Lessons are provided in twenty seven different languages.
2. Audio Books/Kits
I didn’t quite believe in the power of these books until the beginning of this year when I started to learn Italian. I wanted to learn fast so I decided to give them a go. The Result? I swiped them all off of the library shelf and uploaded every single cd into my ipod. Some are great, some are not too good, find the one that suits you and your learning style. As language learning is based on repetition, if you listen
as often as your favourite song, it will soon become stuck into your head and will be easily accesible whenever you need.
3. Language Swap
This is another free and great deal. You don’t need to teach someone a language necessarily if there is no demand, but you can swap another skill such as singing or playin guitar, for example.
One way of going about this browsing thee skills swap section on GumTree or a similar website. If this is not common in your area you can try putting some ads up at cafes and bookshops and there will be people interested in no time.
4. Phrasebooks
As a tutor I’m not actually a big fan of phrasebooks. A few of my students have brought them to our classes but I often refuse to use them because you don’t learn the language as a whole. They can often confuse students more than helping in a classroom type situation. As a traveller, they are of much more use. Phrasebooks can help avoid ridiculous situation where you’d otherwise finding yourself miming in order to get by.
5. Social Networks
Try your hand at language applications and groups on social networks such as Facebook . Learn a Language with Luingo is one such example.
6. Songs, films and books (websites, newspapers, etc)
If you are a beginner and really have incredible patience or you are already learning and just want some improvement, using songs/films/books can be incredibly useful. As I said earlier, songs tend to get stuck in your head and can be a great way to enrich your vocabulary. Watching a dvd with the subtitles on (either on your language or the one you are trying to learn) can force your brain to absorb new information.
Are there any other tools that worked for you when trying to learn an new language? Let us know in the comments.
Don't give up on Esperanto!
Take a look at http://www.lernu.net
Esperanto works! I’ve used it in speech and writing – and sung in it – in about fifteen countries over recent years.
Indeed, the language has some remarkable practical benefits. Personally, I’ve made friends around the world through Esperanto that I would never have been able to communicate with otherwise. And then there’s the Pasporta Servo, which provides free lodging and local information to Esperanto-speaking travellers in over 90 countries. In the past few years I have had guided tours of Berlin and Milan and Douala in Cameroon in the planned language. I have discussed philosophy with a Slovene poet, humour on television with a Bulgarian TV producer. I’ve discussed what life was like in East Berlin before the wall came down, how to cook perfect spaghetti, the advantages and disadvantages of monarchy, and so on.
Hello Bill!
Awesome news!
Not giving up on Esperanto though, but if you compare how many people speak Esperanto and English in the world, English is still the most popular language I believe.
The other day some people I work with didn't have a clue what Esperanto was.
Thanks for you comment!
Milene
Never heard of Esperanto!!
Awesome post Milene. I'm heading to France next year and hoping to get really into French before I get there. I know it's not required but it's more of a personal challenge to see how far I get.
" if you compare how many people speak Esperanto and English in the world, English is still the most popular language I believe."
You believe well … for the present time.
However there were many "most popular" languages in the past that didn't make it in the long run..
Esperanto offers an alternative which you will be happy to use when the fate of English has followed its predecessors.
If you don't want Esperanto, then prepare your children to spend their valuable time on …(I let you guess which one).
I can assure you it will be much more difficult than Esperanto.
The French are now very sorry that they vetoed Esperanto in the League of Nations (see Nitobe).
I recently went to Poland and I can assure you that the only place where I did better with my English than with my broken Polish was the Holiday Inn in Krakow, with exception of the time I spend with Esperanto friends.
The effort of learning Esperanto is so small, compared with any other language, that it's a sin to ridicule those who believe the choice of reason will prevail.
For me, the fastest way to learn a foreign language is first to start with Esperanto.
1) because the grammar and vocabulary can be learned very quickly.
2) all you must do is: train your mind to think fast in a foreign language, and get confidence in your ability of deprogramming your mother-tongue habits.
3) visit (or at least call) your Esperanto friends in the country where they speak the language you want to learn and use the traditional ways of learning already described here-above.
By the way, Esperanto is well-known in Brazil.
Those who didn't know what it was would probably say once they know:
"What a good idea! Why isn't it made mandatory to learn it?".
Remush
Bon Jour Ross!
Good on you! I'm sure you will become fluent faster without struggling so much and will also be able to enjoy yourself better than someone who isn't prepared at all. Good luck with it, French is such a beautiful language!! I'm jealous. : )
Merci pour votre commentaire!
Milene
Sounds like Esperanto needs a whole article to itself!
Thanks for all your comments guys, great article Milene!
Paul @
TravMonkey.com
Totally agreed, Paul!
I was about to suggest the same!
Thanks : )
Milene
Haha, it looks like the comments have turned into a discussion about Esperanto! I actually love Esperanto personally, but I'm not really sure it's something that you can convince someone to learn (although people have done it!). For me, it's either something a person will fall in love with, or not care about.
Anyway, thanks for this great list!
LiveMocha in particular is a favorite of mine. The web is full of other resources as well to get your language skills up to speed for your travels.
http://lang-8.com/
This is a journal writing service where you can write entries in the language you are studying. Native speakers will correct your entries, and in turn you can correct the entries of people studying your language. There is a great community aspect because of this!
http://edufire.com/
eduFire is a marketplace for teachers and students to have one on one tutoring or sessions with up to 100 people all through their virtual classroom. They have somewhat recently released a subscription program called Superpass which allows you to take unlimited classes for $29/month. Less than one dollar a day!
http://smart.fm/
Flashcards!! This website is a far superior alternative to making your own flashcards out of index cards and markers. You can study lists that are already made, or you can make your own to study from. Highly recommended.
Thanks again for your list! Good luck with the studies. 🙂
Hi Ja,
Thanks for the comments, some great links you're added there just checkout a few and will make sure I bookmark!
Thanks,
Paul @
TravMonkey.com
Hello Ja!
Live mocha is also my favourite!
Thanks for adding up to those great links to the list.
All the best.
Milene