Practice Makes Perfect! Learning A Language

If you are undertaking the fun and challenging task of learning a new language, you are probably wondering what the best program is for your study. There are many methods to learning a new language. The secret is finding one that best suits you and your needs and learning style. There is no substitute for practice though, so whatever you choose, make sure you program in time for study! Here are a few tips on how to get started with a new language and what sorts of study aids are out there.
If you have access to an in-person group class that studies the language, you want to learn take advantage of this opportunity. Meeting with a fluent speaker in a group setting will help you increase your understanding of the language faster than almost any other method. If you are not in college, look into a community class or even auditing a local university-level class. Having a teacher to account to and a group to study with will help immensely in your quest to learn a new language.
If you don’t have access to a group class or time to attend something weekly, the next best alternative is finding a good computer class or study program. You will be able to find a program that lets you hear pronunciation, check your work, and practice your skills. An online or software program can be very effective if you make time every day to practice and study. You won’t get the monitoring like you would in a classroom, so you have to be disciplined and study hard on your own.
Last, if you really have little time to take a formal class or invest in a computer program, find a native speaker and try reading up on your vocabulary and practice with him her or at a set time every week. This is a great study aid even if you are taking regular classes. Be aware, however, that native speakers can teach you dialects and grammar structures that may not always coordinate with the official formal language. Always check everything you learn with a book or a teacher. Talking to a native speaker will help immensely thought with accent, practice, and vocabulary building. Keep a little book with all the conversational words, such as spanish words you hear them say you don’t know and look them up later in a dictionary. Then you will have your very own study aid with words you already know!