Did you study a foreign language in school? Spanish, French, Italian? Did you enjoy yourself? Or was it an experience that you'd rather forget?
You have to answer these last two questions honestly because they reveal a lot about how you will do the second time around.
There are many people who can't learn a foreign language in a classroom. I was one of them. I studied French in high school, dropped it in college and then decided to study Spanish once I graduated. No formal teaching, no homework assignments, no calls home for bad grades.
Now I'm a Spanish teacher, married to a Spaniard and raising our children bilingually. And it all happened outside the class.
If you're one of these people and have no desire to return to the classroom, then you have to make the most of your studies on your own.
It's not easy at first. Studying a foreign language requires discipline and an awareness of important tips and tricks that can reduce the frustration and disappointment.
Here are three that are at the top of my list:
1) Understand how to learn - This may seem like a simple point but it's worth its wait in gold. Understand that things take time. Patience is probably more valuable than your conjugations.
Too many people quit studying foreign languages after becoming discouraged with their progress. If you feel that you should progress everyday, you're mistaken. If you feel you should make great strides each week, you're mistaken.
You will learn slowly but surely at first and then there will come a point when you're learning will accelerate. No one knows when. Just be patient and know that good things are happening in the depths of your brain.
2) A little studying each day is better than a lot of studying for a few days. - This is self-explanatory. You are much better off putting in 5 minutes a day when you really don't feel like it than waiting a week and then studying for 2 hours.
The 5 minutes everyday can be anything you like. You could listen to a song in the foreign language, read the comics in the language, learn curse words in the language. As long as you're connecting with the language in some way, you will benefit.
3) Find many ways to study. - By this I mean, listening one day, reading another, and so on. The trick to studying a foreign language on your own is to have many ways to both learn and entertain yourself. This way, you'll always have at least one thing you can do each day to keep your momentum going.
If you know your learning style then do the majority of your learning using that style. After all, it's the one that comes naturally to you.
In closing, knowing how to study a foreign language on your own is the most difficult part of the adventure. Discipline and desire are needed throughout. If you think you have what it takes, get to it. I did and I'm as fluent as can be. And loving it!
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
La gripe Albear
By: HLR48 | 21-08-2008
what is la gripe Albear?
Apparently my son needs to take another course to ...
By: mmk | 20-08-2008
Apparently my son needs to take another course to fill up his schedule for high school, and the only options for foreign language are Chinese mandarin 1 or Latin 1. He is a senior and would like to know which one would take less time and effort because his other courses are difficult. Do you have any opinion?
Spanish globes
By: jen | 20-08-2008
i have a large old spanish zodiak globe that stands on a 2 1/2 ft pedestool and the globe opens. i am trying to find out if has any value. can you help?
Help with Spanish lyrics
By: Sandy | 20-08-2008
I am looking for the Spanish lyrics to "I the Lord of Sea and Sky" also known as "Here I Am Lord."
What language is getapa
By: Pam | 19-08-2008
what language is getapa
What is the expression/phraseology used when you ...
By: Phyllis Burris | 18-08-2008
What is the expression/phraseology used when you're referring to "shameless self-promotion" i.e. "well, so much for ____ _____ ____".
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Self Improvement Articles
Getting More Out Of Life With Life Coaching
By: Koz Huseyin | 10/10/2008
Are you a goal setter? Are you a self starter? Do you feel geared for success? In life we find that coaches are present wherever there is high performance. From business men and woman to actors and actresses, and even athletes, they all rely on coaching. As you read this article, you will discover how life coaching can transform your life for the better.
Expect the Unexpected When You Learn to Meditate
By: Donald Mitchell | 09/10/2008
In this article, I describe how learning to meditate led me into unexpected learning.
Every Problem Has A Solution
By: Koz Huseyin | 08/10/2008
When opportunity knocks, we jump in, and then find suddenly a road full of obstacles. The obstacles also known as problems can seem insurmountable. The truth is that there is a solution, even if it seems unlikely. Open your mind, and read. As you do, discover solutions to your problems!
Helpful Resources for Subliminal Messages
By: A. Thomas Perhacs | 08/10/2008
A subliminal message is a message or signal that are hidden from conscious perception. These messages are not recognized by conscious mind, however in certain situation affect subconscious mind and can positively or negatively influence subsequent thoughts, actions, attitude and value system.
Do You Truly Believe That You Can Rise From This Situation?
By: Koz Huseyin | 08/10/2008
Life can seem like a wheel of fortune. Nothing rests and many things change throughout our lives, but there are sometimes those periods of time where it seems like nothing will change for the better. You seem stuck and it seems like nothing will ever change. If you feel like that, then rest assured in the words contained here, and read every word of this article.
Why so Many People Fail
By: Keith Shaw | 08/10/2008
An astonishing 90% of the population has no ideas or plans for what they want out of life! Without a solid life plan to take a hold of, these "drifters" will not have direction or the peace of mind to maximize their lives. Here's how you can craft the life plan to achieve your dreams
5 Ways to Achieving Health, Wealth and Happiness
By: Alexander Gottwald | 07/10/2008
Quick description about the history of Reiki during the past 100 years both in Japan and in the western world. 5 very important reasons for learning Reiki online based on the principles Usui Sensei taught his disciples.
Personal Development And Goal Setting
By: Koz Huseyin | 07/10/2008
One of the best ways to go through personal development is with goal setting. Setting goals is one way to not only gauge where we want to go to, but also allow us to look back on where we been. As you read this article, you will discover how to use goal setting with personal development.
Self Improvement 
