Learning A New Language As An Adult: 5 Study Tips

If you’re an adult, learning a new language can be scary. It’s also easy to dismiss the lessons because of the notion of how it’s difficult for adults to acquire and master a new language. However, don’t give up because there are several strategies created for grownups to make learning a breeze. This article will provide you with some helpful hints for learning a new language.

1. Enroll In A Language Course

Enrolling in a language class is more than just picking up a book and taking notes. It also demands to engage and connect with the people you’ll be learning with. For example, if you’re enrolling in a Chinese language school, make sure your class includes both young people and adults. This is so you could study a variety of the language, both colloquial and formal.

Enrolling in a language class is also a valuable thing you can do for yourself. It will motivate you to study the language harder by seeing other people trying and aiming higher. Thus, you’re also inspired to give it your best. On the other hand, studying on your own might bring you less to no motivation. This is because there’s not much competition and it’s a bit easier to get distracted by your environment. 

2. Use An App

You may find that going to classes conflicts with your other commitments. Hence, you’ll need to consider downloading an app to help you learn the language of your choice. There are numerous apps available and you can use them for free or at a reduced cost. For example, if you are searching for the best way to learn Chinese vocabulary, then some flashcard apps also can be great assistants to you. Some apps have interactive features such as leaderboards. This will help you learn and be a bit competitive with other learners as you achieve your desired results.

3. Watch A Movie 

You may also have some fun while learning a new language you’ve always wanted to learn. Try challenging yourself and learn a lot of phrases by watching a movie. 

This step is useful if you’ve already read summaries of the show or are familiar with the plot. When you watch it, it’ll be easy for you to relate to the characters and their interactions. Thus, it might help you understand the dialogue. This will help you improve your conversation skills as well as your vocabulary.

Before turning on the subtitles, you might want to summarize the movie in your mother tongue. Then you may rewrite it using the language you’re learning. You may write a paragraph or two about the movie’s events that focus on significant story points.

Afterwards, cross-reference what you’ve written with a reliable book or an online translating tool. This will allow you to identify your strengths and limitations. It could also teach you where you need to improve and how far you’ve progressed in learning a new language.

4. Participate In A Language Exchange Program

One of the requirements of participating in a language exchange program is to have an open mind in giving and accepting critique. For all parties to learn a certain language, this should take place in the most natural way possible. So, if you’re an adult, this could be an opportunity for you to engage in conversations with someone who speaks your target language while learning and teaching them yours. 

5. Incorporate The Target Language Into Your Daily Routine

It’s also an excellent idea to incorporate the language you want to learn into your daily life. One of the reasons youngsters learn quickly could be due to their varied learning experiences. While children may have the opportunity to acquire a new language through games and discourse at school, most adults are confined to their homes. Thus, they are less encouraged to strike up a conversation with someone who speaks the language fluently.

To help you learn as fast as a child, consider interactive activities. These may include eating, clubbing, and attending any social gatherings where the language you’re learning is frequently spoken. 

This will help you learn the language directly from other people. It can also help you gain more confidence in speaking the language. This could be achieved by fist-hand experience as you hear its correct intonation and pronunciation. Also, it motivates you to constantly practise it with these people until you’ve mastered it. 

Conclusion

The ability to learn a new language is not limited by age, but rather by perseverance. You don’t have to be concerned about your age and capacity to learn a new language. You’ll first need to check out the above tips in learning a new language.