There are many reasons to learn a foreign language – whether you want to travel abroad or just add a competitive item to your resume. There are also equally as many methods you could choose to learn that foreign language – even without dishing out a few hundred dollars on computer software.
Multimedia software
Rosetta Stone is appealing because it promises to teach you the language conversationally rather than only textbook grammar you’d study to pass an exam in a more traditional course. However, if you don’t have the cash to dish out on expensive software, there are alternatives that are cheaper, if not free. I am currently obsessed with Duolingo. You can use it on your computer, as well as download the app in the Apple or Android store. What I love about it is that you get certifications, or more like little badges to put on your LinkedIn profile once you reach certain fluency levels. The app is also Facebook compatible, so you can challenge your friends, or just find a study buddy.
Podcasts
This method is great for when you’re in the car, running, or even walking to class. A professor at my university saw the majority of students walking around campus with earbuds in their ears. He did a study to see what they were listening too, and surprising results reveled that not all of them were listening to music. Large amounts of students were actually listening to Podcasts. I personally cannot learn a language by seeing the words, I have to hear the vocabulary pronounced, which is what makes Podcasts a great option. Not only are they super convenient, but they also allow you to learn conversational vocabulary and slang that is not always covered in a book or software program. Android users don’t be deterred, because there are ways to get Podcasts on your phone as well if you download them as MP3 files.
Connecting with a native speaker
Take a contemporary spin on the classic “pen pal” and connect with someone on Facebook. There are Facebook groups for people who want to meet people abroad and communicate with them, or if you have family who speak the language you want to learn, communicate with them. Something as simple as striking up a conversation to say, “Hello” might seem intimidating at first, but it’s the ultimate test to see how your foreign language proficiency is coming along.
Textbooks
Textbooks are great for digging into the details of linguistics. I bought an old textbook for learning the basics of grammar and sentence structure. Some basics are just too basic to cover in any of the above methods. If you are learning a language with gender nouns, you know exactly what I mean. Textbooks help you understand the reasoning behind the sentence structure, such as why the verb comes at the beginning of the sentence or end, rather than just presenting you with a sentence to learn the vocabulary.
Personally, I’m learning German right now using a combination of all the above methods. A lot of my family still lives in Germany, so I was inspired to learn the language so I can communicate with them directly, in their native tongue. I haven’t been at it long, but can already see a significant improvement in my own fluency thanks for all these different sources.
What language do you want to learn? Why are you passionate about learning it, and what methods will you use to become fluent in that language?
Jessica is a junior at Missouri State University majoring in Marketing with a minor in International Management. She will be graduating with her bachelor’s degree in December 2016, and is accepted to an accelerated Masters of Business Administration program to complete her MBA the following year. Jessica is member of Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society, Ad Club, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Fraternity.
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