How Best to learn a language?
What is the best way to learn a foreign language?
There are a number of different ways to learn a new language, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. You may find a combination of these is best for you.
Language exchange
If you can find a suitable course in the language(s) you want to learn in the UK, this is an effective and fast method of learning. A variety of courses are usually available, including part-time and full-time courses, short intensive courses and courses leading to qualifications. .
The main advantage of language courses is that you'll have a teacher or tutor to provide you with practical instruction, support and feedback and with whom to practice your chosen language. You will also be studying with others who are at more or less the same level and you can compare notes with them and help one another. Formal language courses also help you to structure your studies.
Taking a language course is not for everyone however - some people don't feel comfortable in a classroom environment and prefer to study at their own pace and when it suits them.
Studying abroad
One option is to study your chosen language in a country where it's spoken. There are numerous schools teaching English, French, Spanish, Italian and German, but far fewer teaching other languages. The main advantage of studying abroad is that you are totally immersed in the language, not just in class, but the rest of the time as well. Because of this, you can make fairly rapid progress. Another benefit of studying abroad is that you get a feel for the culture of the country and a better idea of the every day use of the language.
The main disadvantage of studying abroad is the cost, not just of your course, but also of your accommodation, food and travel. This can work out considerably more than you'd spend studying a language in your own country.
Online courses
If you cannot find a suitable language course in your area and are unable to spare the time to study abroad, you might consider online courses. There are plenty to choose from in a wide range of languages. Many are free but some you have to pay for. Some of the paid ones provide support from tutors via email, chat programs, video conferencing, telephone or even face to face.
Teaching yourself
There are many different courses designed for self-study available. These include textbooks, with or without CDs, DVDs and CD-ROMs. Each type of course has its strengths and weaknesses which are discussed below. Linguaphone is probable the best known.
Textbooks
If you want to learn how to read and write a language and are not bothered about speaking it, then all you need is a good textbook and a dictionary. Always choose modern study aids.
Textbooks with CDs
This type of course is probably the most popular and is designed to provide an all round knowledge of a language. Some courses focus more on colloquial language while others concentrate more on reading and writing. Most courses are intended for complete beginners or people with only minimal knowledge of the language. Intermediate and advanced level courses are available for some of the more popular languages, such as French, German, Italian and Spanish.
All audio courses
This type of course usually consists solely of CDs, though some may also include a limited amount of printed material. All dialogues, exercises, instructions and explanations are recorded and the focus of these courses is teaching you to understand and speak the language. These courses are very suitable for people who have an excellent ear and pick up languages easily.
Computer-aided learning
Various language courses are available on CD-ROMs and DVDs. Each course is different but they generally include dialogues, audio, exercises and tests. Some also include phrasebooks, dictionaries, videos, games and provide online and/or telephone support.
Language Exchange
A good way to practice and improve your chosen language is to find a language exchange partner. This is someone who speaks the language you are learning and wants to learn your mother tongue. Language exchange works best when both partners have roughly an intermediate level in the language they are learning.
Language exchange is also a great way to meet people and make new friends.
How to learn a foreign language, language learning advice