The Power of Learning a Foreign Language: Hacks to Speed Up Your Progress

Introduction

In today’s global economy, learning a foreign language provides numerous benefits. However, it requires a considerable amount of work. The process involves mastering grammar, memorizing vocabulary, and understanding the culture behind the language. Unfortunately, only a few people succeed in learning a foreign language. Not only is it demanding, but English has also become a universal language. Nonetheless, the payoff is enormous. Speaking another person’s language creates connections, shows respect and interest, and sets you apart from others. With a PhD in Linguistics and fluency in several languages, the author shares three hacks to speed up the process.

The Ultimate Sacrifice

One of the most significant hacks to learn a foreign language is having a significant other who speaks the language. According to the author, this hack only works if the significant other’s English is minimal, and it requires being in the country where the language is spoken. Communicating with your partner and spending time together allows you to learn by association. This technique requires an enormous commitment and won’t work for everyone. However, if you’re committed, go for it and learn the language of love.

The Powerful Shortcut

Learning adverbs is a crucial hack to learn a foreign language. Adverbs can change the meaning of a sentence dramatically, unlike nouns, verbs, and adjectives. For instance, the author uses examples to show the difference between barely and almost in a sentence. Learning adverbs will increase your ability to hold a meaningful conversation in a foreign language. While learning 100 nouns or verbs is a drop in the bucket, learning 100 adverbs is a significant progress. The author provides a link to a list of common adverbs in English to make the process easier.

Maximize Input – No Excuses

Access to foreign-language resources is available through various sources on the internet, offering numerous opportunities to maximize input. For instance, live streaming radio, Netflix-like services, and YouTube, among others, are home to music, news, TV, and chat sites in a foreign language. Additionally, reading foreign newspapers or airline emergency instructions provide exposure to the language in its context. The author emphasizes the need for a passive approach to gain foreign language input, just like as a child’s acquisition of their mother tongue.

Conclusion

In summary, the author offers three hacks to speed up progress in learning a foreign language. These include having a significant other whose English is minimal, learning adverbs, and maximizing input through the internet. While some of these hacks require significant commitment, the payoff is enormous. Learning a foreign language creates connections, opens up opportunities to understand different cultures, and sets you apart from others in today’s global economy.