Five Keys to Language Learning

Keys to Learning a Language Well

We sat down with some of our Silk Road English Centre language teachers to talk to them about the keys to learning a language well. They shared some of the things they have seen some of their own students do to be successful in language learning.

1. Take time every day to practice and study.

   Learning a language takes a lot of work. There really isn’t a quick and easy way to do it – which means prioritizing your time and fitting a little bit (or better yet, a lot) of practice in every day. It can be hard to find the time, but don’t let that be an excuse. Some of Silk Road’s students have even asked their teachers for help scheduling, so they can fit English practice in every day.

2. Don’t be embarrassed – embrace mistakes!

   There is no escaping it: if you are learning a language, you are going to make mistakes. Instead of dreading it, accept that it will happen, and allow yourself to laugh and learn from your mistakes when you do make them.

3. Consume as much material as you can.

   Some of the most successful language learners try to get their hands on everything available in the language they are learning. Read books, watch movies, listen to music, and find things that interest you in your new language. The more you are interacting with the language, the more familiar it will become, and the more you will learn. Think of each material as a new learning opportunity, and have fun with it!

4. Think long term.

   There are plenty of courses and apps now that claim you can learn a language in five minutes a day, learn an entire language in a month, and so on. To put it simply, languages are challenging, and it’s important that when you start learning a language, you recognize that it won’t happen overnight. Be patient with yourself, and think long term. Allow yourself to take the time; mastering a language can take a lifetime.

5. Do the homework, and don’t skip class.

   This might seem obvious, but it’s important to include. If you are taking a class, that is excellent news! Now, make sure not to waste any of it. When your teachers give you homework, they are giving you more materials that can help you solidify what you’ve been learning. Using these materials will get you one step closer to mastering what you’ve learned. They know what they are doing! By skipping class or not doing your homework, you are your own biggest obstacle to learning this language.

Want to learn more? Check out more SREC stories here, or check out our other work in Education here.