One of the biggest challenges for language learners is finding people to practice with. Unless you’re staying in a country where the language is widely spoken, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself isolated in your pursuit.
Regardless of your circumstances, language acquisition requires practice beyond what you normally get with your favorite language software. Here are some ideas about how you can get that:
- Act it out. If you can’t participate in an actual conversation, watching and copying them could prove useful. Download movies filmed in that language and act out the scenes yourself. You can do the reenactment along with the film, so you can feel like you’re actually talking with someone.
- Get online. There are plenty of online communities dedicated to language learners. Seek out forums and blogs, and participate. They’re great places to find fellow learners to connect with, especially ones you can practice with over Skype.
- Shadow-boxing. Know how boxers pretend like they’re fighting someone, throwing jabs at invisible opponents and swinging their head to avoid haymakers that don’t exist? That’s shadow-boxing. You can do the same, pretending like you’re talking to someone in the target language, complete with odd reactions and all.
- Think in the language. In many ways, thinking is like having a conversation with yourself. Because of that, thinking in the target language can be a very effective language practice. Set aside time, such as 15 minutes every evening, where all you do is process thoughts in the new language.
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