| Teaching yourself a language is hard work; don't | | | | different pronunciations depending on which tone |
| let anybody tell you different. This has always | | | | you are referring to, listening to the language is |
| been the case. The difference now is that more | | | | even more important. |
| people than ever want to teach themselves a | | | | A great tool to get your pronunciation tuned in |
| foreign language. With immigration, globalization and | | | | from the beginning is to use voice recognition |
| tourism everybody can benefit from learning a | | | | software. If it has been a few years since you |
| new language. However there is good news. | | | | used voice recognition technology you might |
| Learning a language has never been easier than | | | | remember the frustration of fighting with the |
| now. The internet and the abundance of | | | | software and getting poor to terrible results. |
| multimedia (sound and video) material in nearly | | | | Again if you want to link to my favorite language |
| every language has made learning a new language | | | | learning software programs click on the second |
| a much more accessible goal. | | | | link below for some great tips. I say this because |
| How can you teach yourself a new language? | | | | voice recognition has progressed leaps and |
| 1.) Listen to as much real life audio in the language | | | | bounds. I tested this with my favorite language |
| you want to learn. | | | | learning software in English and Spanish, two |
| 2.) Repeat the words you hear no matter how | | | | languages I speak without a trace of a foreign |
| bad it sounds. | | | | accent and it worked like a charm. I tried my |
| 3.) Practice your new words and phrases with | | | | French language course with the same brand and |
| other speakers. | | | | it was a challenge to imitate the pronunciation |
| 4.) Be patient. This is probably the most important | | | | correctly. |
| step. | | | | Step 3. Practice your new words and phrases |
| 5.) Try to understand the structure of the | | | | with other speakers. |
| language. i.e. Learn some grammar. But don't | | | | This is a vital step that is often lacking in the |
| overdo it. | | | | toolbox of self taught learners. This is a big |
| There is sound research that backs these 5 basic | | | | mistake. You need to be practicing from day one. |
| steps to learn a language So let's get to the | | | | Thankfully today this is really easy. You just need |
| practicalities. How can you and I put these basic | | | | a computer, internet connection and a pair of |
| steps into action with any Language? | | | | headphones to communicate with native speakers |
| This works with any language but let's use an | | | | of just about any language for free. If you want |
| example to simplify things and be more specific. | | | | to know which social network I use to practice |
| Let's say you want to learn Chinese. What the | | | | for free you know what you need to do, check |
| heck, it sounds like an easy enough language, | | | | the second link below. |
| right? How would you go about it? If you want to | | | | Step 4. Be patient, learning a language is not an |
| learn a different language and would like some | | | | easy task. It will take time and hard work. |
| specific suggestions on where to get quality free | | | | Learning a language is difficult for all of us but far |
| material to click on the Teach Yourself "your | | | | from impossible. Anybody can master a new |
| language" on the right column (get started visit | | | | language if they are willing to invest time and |
| the second link in the credits box at the end of | | | | resources in learning it. However don't expect this |
| this article.). | | | | to happen overnight. You will need to stick at it |
| Step 1. Listen to as much real life audio in the | | | | for some time before you get "really satisfying" |
| language you want to learn. | | | | results. I can teach you how to use the internet |
| This means you need to get hold of as much | | | | to make teaching yourself a language as painless |
| podcasts and videos in Chinese. Preferably these | | | | as possible and if you have the right frame of |
| podcasts and videos will come with transcripts | | | | mind even fun. |
| you can follow. Listening to the language in natural | | | | Step 5. This is the last and least important step. |
| conditions will help you get used to the rhythm, | | | | Grammar. Grammar is important in language. It |
| the sounds and words of your new language. At | | | | provides learners with a shortcut to understanding |
| this stage don't worry about understanding | | | | the structure of a language. However it is a bad |
| everything. Having said that it is important to | | | | idea to spend too much time reading grammar |
| choose material that is of the right level of | | | | books, especially at the beginning. It would be like |
| difficulty. If you are a complete beginner you | | | | trying to learn to swim by reading a book, not |
| might want to start with simple hello and goodbye | | | | going to happen. However once you have |
| conversations and work your way up to | | | | mastered the basics of swimming a well written |
| discussions on Quantum Physics, not the other | | | | book on swimming technique can help your form, |
| way round. | | | | speed and endurance. |
| Choosing the right level is crucial becausea) You | | | | Don't let this opportunity go. You are excited |
| will not get so discouraged you give upb) You will | | | | about learning a new language, don't let that |
| start identifying words and patterns naturally. | | | | feeling go away. Work out a schedule for yourself |
| Step 2. Read and Repeat the words you hear no | | | | that will allow you to study your new language |
| matter how bad it sounds. | | | | and purchase language learning tools that are |
| This step is crucial. Repeating the pronunciation of | | | | within your means. If you are serious about |
| words you hear can be embarrassing and | | | | learning a new language and want to use the |
| frustration don't let this stop you. With tonal | | | | internet to do it for free or very cheaply check |
| languages like Chinese where one letter can have | | | | out the links below for more information. |