Study Tip - Blog Posts

spanishleaf

4 years ago

5 essential tricks for language learners

Speak more often then read or write something.

If you can`t memorize a word or a phrase, a) sing it, b) shout it, c) pronounce it as the rudest swear word in your native language.

Read aloud the articles and essays you really love. In the beginning, our tongue will ache as fuck, but your pronunciation will really get better. Even if there`s no one near to point your mistakes.*

If you see a word with abstract meaning, immediately make a collocation with a “simple” noun. e. g. Instead of learning what “to accustom” means, learn something like “I accustomed myself not to cry because of the high taxes” or “I`ve never been accustomed to working hard and I`m not going to start”

Watch the useless and strange videos on YouTube in your target language. There are many advantages in the crap like “Get Ready With Me” or “What is in my back?” First of all, they all contain almost similar phrases and word collocations. Watch 5 GRWM-videos and you`ll know for sure how to say “Hi, guys!”, “make-up”, “lipstick”, “really good” etc. Secondly, vloggers typically talk as if their audience is full of idiots. They repeat the same phrases dozens of times. And that`s! Don`t hesitate to feel foolish for 5 or 10 minutes straight. Surprisingly, the most unintellectual content will make you more competent and actually intellectual.

*If you feel that you really need a responsible buddy for language practice, join the #tumblrexchange challenge. Introduce yourself, your goals and preferences, and let`s practice together!

Here`s the detailed post about the language exchange. And here`s my own introduction (I offer to help with Russian and seeking smb to practice advanced English with).