Is Learning A Foreign Language Abroad For You?
Topics: study abroad, study foreign languages abroad, study spanish
Study abroad programs offer the fastest way to fluency. There is no question about it. You get the language in so many ways: you read the street signs, the menus, hear the people at the bus stop, the list goes on and on.
Yet, there are people that have had a hard time with language learning and don’t feel that study abroad will change anything. They don’t feel studying abroad is the answer because for them learning a foreign language is close to impossible.
Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Not only is language learning possible, it’s easier than you think. But this article is not about why it’s easy, it’s about why you can learn while living abroad.
Here are a few tips to get you excited about finding a study abroad program that’s right for you.
#1 - You are officially a new foreign language student. The emphasis is on NEW because you will be starting from scratch. It’s time to forget about the low test scores, the feeling of ineptitude and the belief that speaking another language wasn’t possible.
Once in your new country you begin again and therefore can start to collect “good moments” instead of reliving the “bad moments. Just wipe the slate clean and take on this new adventure with all the excitement and joy that you used to have in first grade.
#2 - You are in charge of your success. Why does this matter? Well, as a current language teacher, I know that students progress according to their own timetables. Yet, when I tell this to a student, they only look at the others in the class and compare. When they see others progressing faster, they get discouraged.
Now you can become the person that decides how things are going. If you think you want to speak better, make the decision to get out and hang with the natives more. If you need to understand better, find a radio and an interesting station and get busy. When you’ve made some progress, celebrate. Just remember that you are the one who decides how well you need to do in order to celebrate.
#3 - You are a “hands-on” learner. In other words, you aren’t the type of student that can learn a language in a classroom. Don’t worry, you are one of many (and remember, I’m a Spanish teacher). You need to be in the culture with the language all around you. Once there, you will see how quickly you pick things up, compared to the days in class when it appeared nothing ever stuck.
You’re going to find that phrases jump out at you as you’re waiting for the bus. Words, expressions and conjugations start to enter your pores. You may sit down and study like before but what you learn won’t compare with what you learn on the street. Heck, you don’t even need to be in a conversation to learn, just eavesdrop.
In closing, regardless of your prior negative experience as a language learner, you can learn. And you can do it faster and easier in a country where it’s all around you.
So get going!
Jim Sarris is the author of The Secret to Learning Any Language, a resource that helps language students make learning a part of their daily routine. For a free mini course called, “The 7 Pitfalls Every Language Learner Must Avoid”, visit his blog at www.TheSecrettoLearningAnyLanguage.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Yellowstone National Park World's First National Park (1)
That's Yellowstone National Park for you. Welcome to the incredible land, welcome to the Yellowstone National Park. This National Park has a unique history. It is the world's first national park which was given the status in the year 1872.
Resorts Vs. Snowboarding: A Conflict Of Interest? (2)
resorts still ban snowboarding, while others are opening the door. While some resorts do not ban snowboarding, either allowing snowboarding on all property or allotting certain areas for the activity, there are three resorts in the United States that still have complete bans on snowboarding.
Is Car Hire A Black Hole In Your Holiday Budget? (3)
Most of these site work a bit like insurance brokers. They gather together quotes from a range of providers saving you the hassle of visiting all these car hire websites yourself.
The Exceptional Value Of Discount Cruises Travelling (4)
Often, when the cruise line first opens up booking for a new season or when launching a new ship, they will offer discount cruise travel packages in order to get a portion of the ship's capacity filled up early.
Wild Rangers Of The East (5)
Not only does this forest boast of it's wildness, it equally houses some of the best Hotels, which provide excellent accommodation facilities to the guests visiting these forests every year.
San Francisco Fisherman's Warf Hotels (6)
The city has its roots in its rich traditional culture and with that it is finding its future with the gigantic growth in terms of business & commerce and other such areas.
Cash Tips On Your Travel (7)
Take a trip to the bank and make a sufficient withdrawal that could support your traveling needs. While you may be thinking that cash is dispensable as you can always use your credit cards in payment, think again.
Going On A Holiday To Hawaii (8)
Book your holidays and enjoy! Jon Kelly is a published author who writes articles, that includes travel to exotic locations, like Hawaii. To find out more about Hawaii, please visit: www.hawaiileisuretime.com.
Barcelona An Overview Guide (9)
The Trendy Las Ramblas is a wide pedestrian mall of a little over a kilometer in length cutting from the harbor to Place Cataluya, the centre of the city where the major thoroughfares of the city meet as do the old city and the newer parts.
Wisconsin Dells Wilderness Hotels - Experience Of A Lifetime (10)
Dining in the restaurants, over 100 of them in the city, is a treat to your taste buds with some excellent food being served from all the continents. Some of the recommended wilderness hotels, cottages and resorts in the city are Baker's Sunset Bay Resort, Baraboo Hills Campground, Cedar Lodge & Settlement c/o Lake Pointe Mgmt, Delton Oaks Resort, Eagles Nest, Island Pointe Resort c/o Lake Pointe Mgmt, Kathy's Kozy Kottages and many more.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Why To Holiday In Portugal (1)
To top it off, the Algarve is regarded to have the best all round weather. Due to the superb weather conditions Portugal has many events that keeps the tourists coming back to see year after year.
How To Find Airline Tickets At A Discount (2)
Topics: airplane, airplane fares, find airline tickets, best ways to find airline tickets at discount It is evident that the United States is full of people who enjoy traveling both near and far.
Your Caribbean Vacation Is Waiting (3)
The ocean water, near the Turks & Caicos Island, is home to large coral reefs. These reefs bring in tourists from all around the world. Aside from traditional beach activities, you can enjoy fishing, diving, and snorkeling.
Simple Steps To Avoid Holidays From Hell (4)
In fact, you don't even have to fork out too much money for it. It's just right there in your home country. No matter where you decide to go, do your due diligence online, so you can locate deals that are simply too good to pass up.
Top 10 Most Sneaky Hidden Travel Fees (5)
8. Recycling Frequent Flyer Miles You can be charged from $50 to $100 if you trade in your miles then do not use your ticket. The fee covers the supposed cost of sticking the miles back into your account.
Who Else Want To Visit Florence Italy? (6)
There's nothing in the world quite like it. Dominic Siano is president of Tour Italy Now (www.touritalynow.com) the largest online travel tour operator. A lover of all things Italian, Dominic has worked extensively in the Italian tourism industry.
Some Highlights About Visiting Hawaii (7)
That is why it is a beach for your kids to swim at and have fun. As you will keep driving the landscape you will start to see will become more and more natural and you will see why you needed to come to Hawaii so bad for.
City Of Gold (8)
The "Burj Al Arab" is a luxury hotel , used exclusively as a hotel. It is the tallest building and stands on an artificial island out from Jumeirah beach, connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge.
Motor Home Vacations: The Black Hills And Badlands (9)
This monument to another of history's heroes includes a museum, shrine and memorial service to the great Sioux leader. It is important to the heritage of all North American Indians, as well as Americans of any ancestry.
Cheap Hostels And Luxury Hotels (10)
Hotels are good for people looking to spend time both indoors and out, therefore a good service is imperative. However, booking a luxury hotel maybe expensive in certain areas, these days hotels paid for in a bundle with your holiday package.