Learning a New Language at Home
We are strongly committed to providing our students with a fully immersive learning environment at Middlebury Language Schools.
Learning a new language should be fun, interactive, and more than anything else, well planned and efficient.
An immersive language learning environment is one of the most successful language program models available. Students typically achieve a higher level of language proficiency. They show fluency and confidence when using the chosen language. However, the current situation has made us all consider shifting to online learning for the time being.
In this article, we will answer your most pressing questions regarding learning a new language at home, and how you can take advantage of an immersive experience from the comfort of your house.
Why learning a new language is important
Languages help us understand the world around us better. They help express our feelings and desires to the entire world, no matter where we come from.
As communication and interconnection become increasingly important, learning how to convey your message in multiple languages can give you an unfair advantage.
Let’s not forget about misunderstandings! More often than not, communicating in our native language when visiting a country can leave much room for miscommunication. Speaking with people, clients or companies in their native language is the first step to forming a strong, long-lasting relationship.
Communicating in another language puts you miles ahead of others and sets you up for success in your future personal or professional endeavors.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of learning a new language:
- Creativity and analytical thinking are improved;
- Increased opportunities in leading industries such as medicine, government, business or marketing;
- Skills and memory are enhanced;
- Learning a new language creates more positivity and less prejudice;
- Profound understanding of other cultures.
Can I teach myself a language at home?
Learning a new language on your own requires more than just a few resources. It’s easy to get used to the comfort of your own space and postpone your learning for a few days.
At Middlebury Language Schools, we have always believed in the benefits of learning a new language through an immersive learning environment - speaking, breathing, and dreaming in another language.
Nonetheless, during times of crisis, we turn to learning new skills online - including learning a new language with the aid of our online learning programs.
If learning new languages is one of your top priorities during this time, it is important to be disciplined and know how to organize your time effectively.
Know your motivations and what drives them
We are all human. We all know that our brains sometimes need a break, and staying motivated is not always easy.
However, being clear about what you want and desire, can strengthen that motivation. Always remember why you chose to learn a new language. Is it because you need it at work? Is it because you want to travel more and learn about new cultures? Or is it just because you want to learn a new skill?
Know what you want to learn
Do you want to speak Spanish? Or learn how to write Arabic?
The ability to speak is very different from the ability to write. Learning methods are also different between the two. For example, grammar can be learned in a class with 20 other people. On the other hand, speaking and conversation skills can only be developed efficiently through one-on-one conversations or immersive programs.
What is the fastest way to learn a language?
We all agree that the ideal scenario would be for all of us to learn a new language fast, and easily. However, truth be told, learning a new language cannot always be done in a fast way.
One can always set small goals, such as learning new words every day or watching foreign language videos with subtitles, but learning all the ins and outs of a new language requires time and effort. If you have a strong strategy in place, you can learn a new foreign language in a few months.
Focus on specific outcomes
The first step of learning a new language is simply organizing your time and setting up your goals. As with any task, you do not want to start with the end goal, but rather with the beginning. An example of a good goal or outcome could be: “this week I will learn 20 new words that will help me when going shopping”.
It is very important to set short-term goals, rather than long-term. Your short-term goals will help you achieve the outcome by taking each task step by step, rather than doing everything at once. Set goals for each of your weeks and at the end of the month, measure the efficiency of those goals.
Study smart
Do not just copy-paste words from the internet into your notebook. Rehearse, repeat, and get back on track.
Use flashcards and interactive quizzes. Don’t put your notebook down and forget about what you learned until the next time you start again.
Visualize. Vocalize. Use gestures. Try to think in that language. Sometimes, it can also be useful if you could speak to yourself in that language. This helps you connect the concepts and help improve your memory.
How do I learn a new language from the comfort of my own home?
Think about your learner type and what a program should offer to suit you. Do you do well in one-on-one classes? Do you prefer large classrooms? How would you enjoy an immersive environment? How much are you willing to pay for a language learning program?
These are questions that you should ask yourself before researching a program.
We believe that a good program allows you to be yourself, communicate freely with peers, and learn from one another. We highlight the importance of intensive classes and language immersion at Middlebury Language Schools.
Our native teachers will guide you through the process. You can practice your chosen language in social settings on the Vermont Campus or through online tools in times of crisis.
Remember - the more personal contact hours, the better the programs. The perfect language learning mix is between interactive teaching and conversational practice.
Take into account your skill level
One of the biggest mistakes new students make is overworking and not considering their skill level.
As mentioned before, setting specific and realistic goals is important. Someone who has never spoken Portuguese before, cannot expect to understand or lead a conversation in Portuguese immediately.
If you try to learn everything all at once, you risk the chance of getting burnout. Take it slowly, find out your goals, and stick to them.
Learn how to speak the language
You have a notebook filled with notes and new words. You watched dozens of YouTube videos in Spanish, and you feel confident that you have mastered the language - that is, until you try to speak to someone in Spanish.
Learning by yourself can sometimes be hard. That is why, at Middlebury Language Schools, we focus on the importance of immersive learning. Someone is always there to challenge and motivate you.
If you want to master a second language, you need to speak it freely. One great option could be talking to a native speaker, that can guide you all the way. You can learn the accents, and the nuances, and be ready for the real-life environment once you get out of the house.
Listening to local music can also be an option, as well as watching movies with subtitles and trying to speak by yourself while being guided by the voices you hear.
Review and practice what you have learned
Your progress needs to be reviewed every time you reach a new goal. It’s like rewarding yourself with a piece of cake when you finish learning a new set of words, but instead, you reward yourself after you review what you have learned.
Measure your progress in hours, not months or years. It is easy to set deadlines months from now, but real progress can be quantified easier when reviewing it weekly.
Keep a journal. After a few weeks, go back to it and be amazed at how far you’ve come!
Get immersed
Research shows that students who learn a new language through an immersion program, typically develop stronger academic skills besides becoming proficient in their chosen language.
With an immersion program, the focus is 99% on language acquisition and learning. Committed learners are on the same journey as you are, and there are opportunities to put your learning into practice immediately.
Middlebury Language Schools’ immersion program is designed for pure beginners to intermediate and advanced. It prepares you for the real world, meeting interesting, like-minded people and just having fun while learning a new language.
Final thoughts on learning a new language at home
Learning a new language should be one of the “must-have” skills for anyone wanting to learn about new cultures, expand their knowledge, and solidify their relationships with other people.
Through an immersive learning experience, students can and will show fluency and confidence when using a language.
Unfortunately, due to the current situation, an immersive learning experience on campus is not suitable. The Middlebury Language Schools now offer an online learning immersive environment where students can learn, live, and breathe in their chosen language. Check out our online language programs!