Want to find out how you can learn a new language as fast as possible? If you commit to your new language, work hard, and have an open mind about making mistakes, you can go from basic conversational skills to fluency without the need for expensive classes and years of dedicated study. We'll let you in on the easiest language-learning secrets so you can get up to speed quickly and start speaking a new language.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionIs 1 hour a day enough to learn a language?Tian Zhou is a Language Specialist and the Founder of Sishu Mandarin, a Chinese Language School in the New York metropolitan area. Tian holds a Bachelor's Degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) from Sun Yat-sen University and a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from New York University. Tian also holds a certification in Foreign Language (&ESL) - Mandarin (7-12) from New York State and certifications in Test for English Majors and Putonghua Proficiency Test from The Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. He is the host of MandarinPod, an advanced Chinese language learning podcast.That's a pretty good pace if you're trying to learn a new language. You should be able to acquire at least 20 words a day at that pace. Just make sure that you review the previous day's work with each new session.
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QuestionIs Duolingo good for learning a new language?Tian Zhou is a Language Specialist and the Founder of Sishu Mandarin, a Chinese Language School in the New York metropolitan area. Tian holds a Bachelor's Degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) from Sun Yat-sen University and a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from New York University. Tian also holds a certification in Foreign Language (&ESL) - Mandarin (7-12) from New York State and certifications in Test for English Majors and Putonghua Proficiency Test from The Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. He is the host of MandarinPod, an advanced Chinese language learning podcast.Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, and all of those programs are all great supplemental tools. They'll help you sharpen your language skills and practice, but they aren't going to help you master the language on their own.
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QuestionCan I learn a new language without taking a class or getting a tutor?Tian Zhou is a Language Specialist and the Founder of Sishu Mandarin, a Chinese Language School in the New York metropolitan area. Tian holds a Bachelor's Degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) from Sun Yat-sen University and a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from New York University. Tian also holds a certification in Foreign Language (&ESL) - Mandarin (7-12) from New York State and certifications in Test for English Majors and Putonghua Proficiency Test from The Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. He is the host of MandarinPod, an advanced Chinese language learning podcast.I think learning on your own is going to be exceptionally hard. Classes and tutors give you an opportunity to get immediate feedback and practice your verbal skills. Without any of that, it's going to be exceptionally hard to master the language.
Video
Reader Videos
Tips
- Avoid Google Translate unless translating single words or phrases, because it does not use the correct grammar.Thanks
- Start simple, despite wanting to learn fast. Try basic phrases and conjugations first, and then move into more complicated things. Take your time and get good at a topic before you move on to another.Thanks
- Don't over-stress about speaking quickly or accurately at first. You won't be able to manage at first, so be patient.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
- Speak to other people (in your native language) like your friends, family, etc. This might encourage them to learn the language with you! Learning a language with someone else can keep you motivated, and you can help each other remember words!
- You can try changing the language on your phone to the language you want to learn. It will help you with learning certain words you may not have known. Just be sure you know how to change it back!
References
- ↑ https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20150302-secrets-to-learning-a-language
- ↑ https://www.icls.edu/blog/how-to-improve-your-reading-skills-while-learning-a-second-language
- ↑ https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20150302-secrets-to-learning-a-language
- ↑ Tian Zhou. Language Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.
- ↑ Tian Zhou. Language Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.
- ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/learning-a-second-language/
- ↑ https://blog.ted.com/how-to-learn-a-new-language-7-secrets-from-ted-translators/
- ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/learning-a-second-language/
- ↑ Tian Zhou. Language Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.
- ↑ https://www.middlebury.edu/institute/news/summer-intensive-language-program-offers-31-tips-learning-language
- ↑ Tian Zhou. Language Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.
- ↑ Tian Zhou. Language Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.
- ↑ Tian Zhou. Language Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/oct/30/learning-another-language-ten-tips
About This Article
To learn a new language fast, immerse yourself in it by watching movies and TV shows and listening to music in the language you want to learn. Keep a dictionary on hand or use your phone to look up words you don't know whenever you encounter them, and before you know it, you'll be familiar with common words in phrases in the language you're studying! Additionally, try to set aside 1-2 hours every day to study the language since consistency will help you learn it faster. For more tips, like how to use language learning apps on your phone, read on!
Reader Success Stories
- "To be honest, all three methods worked for me, since I am either spending time on my phone or going out interacting. Any possibility I have to speak the language I am studying, I use it, and it's thus helping me improve.Thank you!" ..." more