Four Point Checklist For Starting A New Language Program

December 22, 2011

About to start training to learn a new language? Here are four things to tick off the to-do list first.

  1. Read up about past learners’ experiences. Do a search on the internet for articles abut previous learners’ experiences with the same target language. Read a few of them. Doing so should give you a realistic picture of what to expect.
  2. Organize your schedule. Make sure to integrate the language training into your schedule. If you don’t, you’ll just end up skipping classes, postponing software sessions and foregoing practice with a cornucopia of excuses.
  3. Get your tools ready. If you’re taking a class, ask the instructor what things you’ll need to get, such as a notebook, a phrasebook or any other material. If you’re doing home lessons (like a language software or an audio program), get the materials recommended in the program (they’ll usually give it early).
  4. Develop a plan for practice. You can do all the lessons you want. If you don’t practice, however, you’re going to have a hard time internalizing all the language elements you study and memorize. Draw up a list of the things you can do for practice, so you can plan for them before starting your regular lessons.

Related posts:

  1. Language Learning Preparedness: A Checklist
  2. Characteristics Of A Good Language Learning Program
  3. A Three-Step Process To Designing Your Own Language Program
  4. Four Things To Consider When Tailoring Your Language Program
  5. Language Software Checklist: Does It Cover What You Need?