Are you thinking about learning a language abroad? Whether you’re going across the ocean to study or you’re moving for love, you might feel anxious and uncertain about your future life if you find yourself surrounded by people you simply can’t communicate with.
If you’ve never heard the native tongue of the country you’re planning to relocate to, let alone speak it, and breaking the language barrier is your goal, know that it is achievable. With our handy tips and words of advice, you will know what to expect and how to go about this process with the least amount of stress.
If you would like to get to know something about Spain and learn Spanish along the way, relocating overseas could be a perfect opportunity for that
What Factors Should You Consider Before Learning a Language Abroad
First things first: the new environment entails unfamiliar people, odd habits, different traditions, and above all, contact with unfamiliar words on a daily level. Be ready for an entirely different life, which includes immersing yourself in the foreign tongue.
Being unable to communicate with the people around you might cause frustrations and anxiety. Luckily, these fears can be conquered, and they occur regularly in people who leave their homeland and build a life somewhere far away. Keep reading and find out the ways to improve your self-confidence and linguistic proficiency.
Learning to communicate in a foreign tongue might be challenging, but it’s achievable with the right approach
If You’re Moving to a Non-English Speaking Area, Difficulties Are Possible
Relocating across the ocean is undoubtedly stressful, but if you’re moving to a region where English is widely spoken, say, Sweden or the Netherlands, it will be less burdensome.
But what happens if you’re heading to Egypt or Lebanon? Arabic is definitely harder to master than some other languages, such as French or Spanish, so this factor should be taken into account when figuring out a timeframe.
Some people need more time than others, and striving to overachieve can make you feel like a complete failure. That’s why it is crucial to set your ambitions objectively and make progress step by step.
Learn Spanish Before You Move to Spain – or Anywhere Else
If your dream is to live in Spain and speak Spanish fluently, then relocating to this Mediterranean nation might be your best bet. Beautiful land, laid-back culture, friendly people, delicious dishes, sandy beaches – you name it.
To use all the advantages of your new environment, you need to be able to communicate with locals and ask for advice or opinion. The same goes for any other nation. There’s no better way to become familiar with foreign vocabulary than listening and getting to know how the words sound. So, buying an audiobook or a book or taking a course can overcome your initial fear.
You won’t discover only a new culture and people, but a whole world with new words and phrases
The Best Tips for Learning Languages Fast if You’re in a Foreign Country
Believe it or not, everyone can communicate in a second or third tongue, but how well and how quickly depends on your motivation and determination. One of the essential obstacles you should overcome in the cognitive process has to do with a lack of dialogue and interaction. We’ve put together tips that can help you get your linguistic confidence back as fast as possible and without stress.
Communicate Whenever and Wherever It’s Possible
Everyday life can bring you surprises and unpredictable situations during grocery shopping, commuting to work, or running errands. They require your engagement. Don’t be worried about your poor communication skills – use what you have. You may sound ridiculous and confused at first, but remember – every beginning is difficult.
Whether you’re volunteering, studying, taking a cooking and dance course, or meeting people at the beach, you should use every minute to speak and push your boundaries. As time goes by, your self-confidence and abilities will improve, and you’ll begin to enjoy communication with locals.
Jot Down Every New Word
A useful trick is to carry a small pad of paper with you, and every time you hear an unfamiliar word, write it down and find its meaning later. By doing this daily, you’ll broaden your vocabulary and be able to use new words in future situations.
Memorize Phrases
It might be a complicated task in the beginning, but after a while, learning phrases by heart can become as easy as child’s play. You’ll be thrilled by your ability to speak naturally and sound relaxed. Also, your interactions with locals will become more comfortable and more fruitful than before.
Find a Language Companion Online
One of the most significant challenges when gaining knowledge of a foreign tongue is actually speaking it. You may find it easy to read or write, but when it comes down to having a meaningful conversation, your brain simply blocks. Why does this happen?
The reason is quite simple – good speaking requires constant practice. So, what is the solution if you’re not in a school every day? You should go online and find some of the best tools for practicing your linguistic skills with other non-native speakers:
- Italki
- Speaky
- LingoGlobe
- InterPals Penpals
- Busuu
- Lazywill
- Fluent Future
- Verbling
- Polyglot Club
Live in a Homestay
Living with a family of native speakers might be an excellent opportunity for cultural immersion and for a better understanding of foreign language. You’ll be surrounded by people who respect you for your effort. And one thing is sure – they won’t laugh at you if you say something wrong.
Teach English in a Foreign Country
As a native English speaker, you can always think about teaching English in a foreign country. By doing so, you can kill two birds with one stone – earn some money and learn new words, phrases, and grammatical rules from your pupils.
Engaging with native speakers is the fastest approach
International Language Programs Offer Excellent Possibilities
When it comes to expanding your boundaries, volunteering is a perfect chance to experience another country. With International Language Programs (ILP), you don’t need to worry about food, housing, airfare, visa, and similar issues.
If you’re wondering how ILP can affect your current and future life, here’s the list of some benefits:
- You will leave your comfort zone, discover different sides of your personality, and help others by teaching them your mother tongue – English
- You will travel all over the world, learn with locals and friends, and explore
- It is an excellent opportunity to build your resume
Consider International Studies Abroad (ISA)
Did you know that you can travel and live overseas thanks to an international program that provides a range of study, internship, and service-learning opportunities? International Studies Abroad (ISA) offers cross-cultural exchange programs and gives you a high-quality education in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific.
If you want to travel, for example, to Spain and speak Spanish, this is an excellent opportunity to make your dream come true. To find out more about program options, destinations, and memberships, visit the website and get ready for a fresh start.
“You can never understand one language until you understand at least two”
“A Different Language Is a Different Vision of Life”
You’ve probably heard the famous quote, “As many languages you know, as many times you are a human being” a million times.
Getting stuck in the process of adopting a foreign tongue happens to the best of us, and that shouldn’t discourage you in your further efforts. This process is both challenging and enjoyable at the same time. It requires time, patience, and the power of will. Depending on your motivation, the results can be good or worse. But, mastering other languages is not only about learning different words and phrases but becoming familiar with another way of thinking about things.
So, if you’re considering taking up a language abroad and planning on moving internationally, think about that as a life experience. Your linguistic and vocabulary abilities will be improved, you will discover a new culture and tradition, and meet interesting and unusual people.
