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Mastering a foreign language
Golden rule: When you are learning a language, it is really important that you do not let a day pass without doing something with it. This could mean learning 10 new words, doing a grammar exercise, reading an article, having a conversation with a native speaker or listening to the news. Mastering a foreign language does not occur overnight; it is rather like building a house brick by brick. At times it might seem you are never going to get there but when you do, it's like walking on air, believe me!
Tips to help you on your way
To achieve all-round mastery, you need to devote 25% of your time to each of the four skills.
1. Listening. This is something that cannot be learnt. You just have to do it. Listen to the news in the language every day. Watch your favourite TV programme dubbed into the language. Ok, you might not understand a word at first. However, it is like a Polaroid photograph - it gets clearer and clearer with time. Before you know it, you can understand EVERYTHING! When I first moved to Paris, I felt despondent when I watched the 8 o'clock news every night as I could hardly understand one word. I watched and watched and now I can follow anything.
2. Speaking. Like listening, this is something you need to keep doing. Speak, speak, speak. Don't be shy. Do not be afraid of making mistakes - it is just part of the learning process. If you live in the country where the language is spoken, you will have plenty of opportunities. If not, why don't you find friends on the Internet, set up Skype and do a language swap. You might find language conversation groups in your own town and city. Finally, try and get over to the country as often as you can.
3. Reading. A word of advice. Do not try to read books and articles that are too difficult for you. You will give up after the second line. Start by reading at your level such as simple stories in the foreign language (children's stories are ideal), read short articles on the Internet that interest you, read anything you can find in your coursebook. Keep a vocabulary book and jot down any new words you come across. Review these on a weekly basis and try to learn them by heart.
4. Writing. Take any opportunity to write in the language as this skill is the most neglected and I find tends to be the weakest of all. Write emails and letters to friends and short stories that focus on one grammatical point, say the past simple tense. If you have a teacher, get him or her to look at what you have written and give you feedback.
5. Word power. In your vocabulary book, note down any new words you come across in your reading, speaking and listening. Spend a bit of time each day learning these words. You will soon have a huge bank of vocabulary at your fingertips. Have a good dictionary on your shelf as you are going to need one.
6. A good grammar book. You might like to buy a good grammar book to work on specific grammatical points. However, remember that learning grammar is not an end in itself. Try to apply the rules to your speech and writing.
If you follow all the advice given here and don't give up, you will soon master that language!
Remember: Language is Power!
The best of luck!
