Learn A Language, Plan Ahead

By Carol Cheung

Do you speak any language other than your mother tongue? It is a good time now to pick up a new language as it is getting easier to travel around the globe. You will not be sure of which is your next stop.

More people are learning new languages, aiming to be able to speak fluently with native speakers. Being able to speak a language helps you know more about the culture and make friends with the native speakers. But many people are not willing to pay as great effort as required.

To be able to master a language, you need nearly three years, so as to master reading, speaking, listening, writing and comprehension. You can master the language within a year if you can stay in the country.

You need to give up much of your happy hour time in order to learn a language well. Revision is necessary for you to master the language, you have no other alternative.

Learn a new language only if you have a stable working schedule. You cannot miss even one lesson if you want to have a very good understanding of the language, especially when you are a beginner. If you miss one point about pronunciation, you will face difficulties regarding reading, dictation and to understand conversations. You will be discouraged from going to advanced level.

Be sure of why you are choosing a particular language. You learn it so as to understand what your boss say? Or what your lover say? Or just for a short trip to Europe? Or just because learning this language is cheaper than picking up another one?

Regardless what your main reason is, allocate you time and money accordingly. Say if you only plan to go to France for two weeks, then you should take a crash course. Do not bother with spelling and tenses. Simply learn the daily phrases and off you go.

Your time is more precious than money you spent to learn a language. You need endurance and to be very patient. Spend every second with good reasons.

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