No matter where you’re from or where you’re headed, moving abroad can be an incredible experience. But if you don’t speak the local language, it can also be a challenging one. Fortunately, there are many strategies you can put in place to make learning a new language easier.
If you’re ready to pack your bags and move to a foreign country, keep reading. Here are seven strategies for learning a new language to make your move abroad a successful one.
Set a Goal
Many people find that the simple act of setting a goal motivates them to achieve it. However, if your ultimate goal is to become fluent in French, that can seem like an overwhelming challenge that could take you months or even years to achieve. Instead, consider setting mini goals, such as:
- Learn ten new French words today
- Learn five new French phrases this week
- Read one article in French today
- Watch a French movie or television show this weekend
Goals can motivate you, help you track your progress, and keep you accountable — all important aspects of learning a new language.
Start by Learning the Most Basic Words
Whether you decide to enroll in classes, hire a language tutor, or teach yourself via apps, translation technology, or online instruction, the first step in learning a new language is to master key words and phrases.
Start by learning 100 core vocabulary words. These should be common words that are part of everyday language in every language, such as:
- Yes
- No
- Please
- Thank you
- What
- Where
- How
- Man
- Woman
- Friend
- Hot
- Cold
- Good
- Bad
- Help
- Police
- Fire
Commit the most basic words to memory and practice and test yourself on them regularly until they’re firm in your mind. At that point, set a goal to learn additional words and common phrases.
Learn more common words and phrases in this article from FluentU.
Learn Basic Phrases
Once you’ve learned some key vocabulary words, start learning key phrases so that you can hold simple conversations. Phrases like where is the bathroom, what is your name, how are you, how much does this cost, and how do you say X will get you far.
Fully Immerse Yourself in the Language
It’s much easier to learn a new language when you fully immerse yourself in the culture. If you’re already living abroad, you may find yourself reverting to your native language any chance you can (because it’s easy). However, you’ll learn a new language faster if you listen to music, read books, watch movies, and participate in events in the local language.
Immersing yourself in the culture and surrounding yourself with people who speak the language will give you ample opportunities to learn.
Practice the Language Daily
Memorizing vocabulary words and everyday phrases isn’t enough — you’ll also need to get comfortable speaking the language. No matter how few or how many words and phrases you know, practice speaking aloud daily. Whether you do so in the privacy of your own home or out in public with native speakers, do it every single day with no exceptions.
If you’re already living abroad or working amongst native speakers, seize every opportunity you can to utilize your new language skills with colleagues, shop clerks, neighbors, taxi drivers, and anyone else you have a chance to engage with. And don’t be intimidated by the fact that you might make mistakes — you definitely will!
Trying to learn a new language before you apply for work in a foreign country? This article from International Citizens Group provides valuable information on working abroad.
Focus on Listening
A key factor in learning a new language is mastering the pronunciation of words and the intonations and rhythms that native speakers use. You’ll never pick that up through a book, but you can learn that important aspect simply by listening to native speakers. Understanding what you’re hearing is equally as important as knowing how to say what you want to say.
Read and Write in the New Language as Much as Possible
To be considered fluent in a language you must be able to speak it and be able to understand it when you hear it, but you also must be able to read and write it.
Reading in the new language is key, as it will help you identify grammatical structures and spelling. Start by reading simple things like menus, street signs, or online blog posts or social media posts in the language you want to learn.
It’s also important to practice writing in the new language as much as you can. Simple things like grocery lists and to-do lists are a great place to start. Writing will help you memorize words and improve and perfect your spelling and grammar at the same time.
In Conclusion
Learning a new language can seem like an overwhelming task, but if you’re diligent, focused, and motivated, it can be a lot easier than you think.
Set goals. Focus on learning common words and phrases first. Fully immerse yourself in the culture, listen to native speakers, practice daily, and read and write as much as possible. With these strategies in place, you can become fluent in a foreign tongue in a matter of months.
Learning the basics first is good advice. You can do a lot of communicating with one word answers while you hone your language skills.
Yes, for sure.
Great advice. I would love to learn another language. Maybe one day. I am not moving abroad but I like to visit.
Same. I’ve been slowly trying to learn more Spanish.
I have always struggled with languages and I’m grateful there’s so many more tools available to help learn these days. These steps will definitely help someone who is moving
Right! I’m so grateful as well.
These are really helpful. I agree with you about starting with the most basic words. We’re moving to Japan soon and I will start learning few words on a daily basis.
That sounds wonderful! I’ve always wanted to go to Japan. I hope you like it there.
This is great advice, it is best to start with the basics, then you can work yourself up to the more advance phrase.
Yes, for sure.
Full immersion, from what I’ve read and heard, is the most effective way to go! I applaud anyone’s dedication when committing to learning multiple languages!
Right!
I love your tips about starting small, and thinking about the most basic words to know. I’d love to learn ITalian!
I’d love to learn that too. There are a lot of languages I’d love to learn.
Great post! I agree with learning the basic so you will at least know how to communicate with others. Duolingo is a great way to start learning a new language also.
Right! It’s great.
These are great tips! I started brushing up on my Chinese this summer by listening to some podcasts.
I learned a little Chinese too.
I have a hard time learning new languages – this is some great advice!
Right. It can be hard for sure.
I took Spanish in middle school and don’t remember a ton. I know just enough to have a very basic hello conversation. I’ve learned a bit more from working at McDonald’s because most of the kitchen staff only knows Spanish.
I want to learn more Spanish. I don’t know very much, but would love to learn.
I took 3 years of Spanish in high school and glad I did because I remember some of it. There is also apps that can help you if you want to learn.
I love the apps. They are so helpful.
this year will be my year of learning a new language (Spanish most likely) and also learning to read and write another
I really want to learn more Spanish as well.