Learning a new language can be fun and challenging at the same time. Here are six steps that will help accelerate your language learning.
1. Understanding is the most important thing in learning a language, not memorization. You need to study to understand. This is different than just listening. As you listen you need to understand the words and meanings of what is being said. Don’t move on until you get the understanding of the words and the lesson. After you get this meaning it is time to move on to the next lesson.
2. Study at a time and in a place where you can concentrate on the material at hand. This can differ depending on the person. One person can listen and understand while walking, jogging or driving. Another person may find that he must study alone and in a very private place. Know yourself well enough to know what works best for you and then be sure that you consistently follow the same routine that will give you the best results. Effective study is hard work.
3. Study in time increments that keep you fresh. Many people find that when studying a language a 30 minute time period works the best. You focus so intently that trying to go for a longer period of time does not work very well. Be sure to keep your study periods to approximately 30 minutes. Then give yourself a rest until the next day.
4. Study your language each day, every day. Push yourself to keep going. You learn little by little and as time goes on you start to understand your new language and the pieces start to fit together.
5. It is important to try and use what you have learned. Take every chance to say words and phrases to others. You will never learn to speak a new language by just saying things to yourself. Studying a language is not just reading and memorizing, although it encompasses both. You need to use every chance to speak the language in order to acquire that language.
6. Studying is like a job. With time and effort and attention, you can learn to speak the language well. You must learn to think like a native speaker. Learning occurs with repeated practice.
Follow these 6 basic steps and you will quickly be on your way to learning a new language.
Are you ready to learn a new language? Try Pimsleur Method languages courses to quickly and effectively learn to speak a new language. Visit PimsleurMethod.com for more details.
1. Comment by Randy Duque
2/Jun/2010 at 9:29 am
I really love the Pimsleur Method. When I travel abroad, I like to try to familiarize myself with the local language and appreciate the flexibility of using this program. As a person on the go, I use my time in the car to learn and it has definitely paid off. In fact, when I was in France, I was the one in my group interacting, communicating, and interpreting and NOT the people who took French in college!
2. Comment by Carol
2/Jun/2010 at 10:12 am
I love Pimsleur – so easy to do in my car every day on the way to work – the perfect way to prepare for foreign travle!
3. Comment by cherylg7
2/Jun/2010 at 11:42 am
Pimsleur makes it so easy to get the accent right by breaking down the words into parts. That, combined with the true-to-life conversations, help the student think in the language and cultural mileu of a native.
4. Comment by CJ
2/Jun/2010 at 7:15 pm
I have a hard time learning new languages but Pimsleur makes it much easier. Love how they ask questions and wait for answer. And how they break down each word…great for slow learners like me!
5. Comment by Aleksander
3/Jun/2010 at 5:30 am
I am amazed with this method! I am doing Portuguese right now and it goes FAST! I learned 3 other languages before in traditional way to a fluent level (English, German, Norwegian, took ca. 3-5 years each…), and it took me at least a year to get to the same level in those as within one month in Portuguese with Pimsleur.
And these 6 methods is about the same that works for me. Personally I have my own rhythm that works very fine – I do one lesson a day while preparing breakfast for my family, and then listen to it again (just listen) while cycling to work. Works awesome, now I can talk to my Brazilian friends! Thumbs up!
6. Comment by Pat Baum
4/Jun/2010 at 7:10 pm
I’m a home educator, and have observed that the more you utilize all of your five senses, the better chance you have of achieving long (versus short) term memory. Although you may not be able to eat, smell or taste Pimsleur
…writing the words can help you focus (and possibly improve your handwriting) 
7. Comment by Karen Page
8/Jun/2010 at 11:06 am
I do the majority of my language study in the car. I play language CDs constantly in the car. Even though I am a musician, I don’t listen to music in the car, only the language I am studying. I have found the Pimsleur method very helpful
8. Comment by Krystyn
8/Jun/2010 at 5:27 pm
These are great tips! It’s not just about memory. Practising in daily conversation is the best way to become comfortable with speaking out loud and finding your own dialogue instead of reciting sentences from a book.