Living Abroad to Learn a Language

You're now further along in your language learning journey and you're considering living in the country to completely submerged yourself in the language and culture.
Maybe you're a student who is about to have a year abroad and scared of what might come.
Or maybe you now unexpectedly live in another country and need to learn the language fast.

Whatever your scenario, this blog is filled with tips for you.

During my first year of Univeristy, I decided to apply for a life-changing internship to work in a 5 star camping site in Lacanau-Océans, which is around 30 mins West of Bordeaux, where I spent 4 months. I was given the daily task of accompanying clients to their designated pitch or cottage and assisting in their queries and problems in their language. This was either in English, French and even German!
A year later I then spent 1 incredible month in Strasbourg doing a summer business course with students from all around the world, from Mexico and the US all the way to Cyprus and Hong Kong! Here is what I have learned...

All the girls in Strasbourg summer school

1. Don't expect results fast 
learning a language will not come overnight, even if you are completely submerged. For me, I noticed significant differences in my language skills after each month.


2. Don't stop studying 
Although you will inevitably pick the language up by ear, I recommend mixing studying vocabulary & grammar at home with then applying it into your everyday life in this new country rather than just relying on your ears to do all the work. This speeds up your learning process and it's an opportunity you don't have back home so you might as well make use of it now while you can!

Meeting new friends in Strasbourg!

3. Don't be picky with friends 
It's good to have friends who can speak English but make sure you befriend those who can't speak English as well so you are forced to speak their language. This means that if there's a word you don't know you are then forced to explain what you mean instead of just simply saying the English and thus further improve your language skills.

The people I worked with in Lacanau

4. Get to know the culture 
Listen to all the popular songs and music in the country you're living, and definitely learn what artists are cringey to avoid all embarrassment (a lesson I had to learn the hard way - do not admit you listen to Kendji Girac if you're in France, you will get slaughtered).

The people I met during my time in Strasbourg

5. Enjoy yourself 
You're in a new country so take this opportunity to visit all the best bars, museums, restaurants, clubs, everything to make the most out of your time. The last thing you want is to regret all the things you didn't do when you return back home.

Amazing beer in Petite France, Strasbourg 

I hope some of these tips come in handy for you!
My next blog is about what its like being bilingual.

Saya

How to Learn a Foreign Language

Most people think that learning a language is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. However, this is far from the truth. As someone who has been passionate about language learning since 15 years old, I have tried pretty much every app, book, website there is out there and I've even travelled abroad to learn a language! I have compiled a list of my favourite resources which are easy, excellent for even the busiest of people, and cheap or even free!

After viewing this list, you have no excuse not to learn that language you always wish you could speak.

1. Duolingo

Type in "duolingo" in the app/play store.
This is probably the most well known resource in this list but it's only ONE of the best.
FREE

Strengths: Excellent for daily 5 minute lessons for when you're short on time but need to update your knowledge.

Weaknesses: There is a limited choice of languages and it's not the best for when you're learning a language with a different alphabet.

2. Memrise

Type "memrise" in the app/play store
FREE

Strengths: Gives you puns, Gifs, memes, riddles etc to help you remember vocabulary and has every language you could think of. The cool thing about this app is that when you learn a new word, you 'water' a plant, and when you revise a word you are "growing" the plant. Once the plant has bloomed the word has entered your long term memory.

Weaknesses: Can be repetitive on certain words.

3. Coffee Break podcasts

Type "Coffe Break Language you want to learn" in Podcasts
FREE

Strengths: Amazing app for when you're super busy and the only spare time you have are those 20 minutes wasted on commuting. This podcast is by a Scotsman so dont be taken aback by the accent. Excellent for teaching the 'every day spoken' language along with useful Grammar and cultural points.

Weaknesses: Only available in French, German, Spanish and Italian, although more languages may be added in the future.

4. Languages For Dummies

Available in various book shops.
Around £10-15 depending on where you purchase.

Strengths: Has excellent Grammar points, cultural knowledge and even teaches you slang and idioms which most resources don't teach you! This book doesn't just teach you a language the class room way. It actually shows you how the language is really spoken by the native speakers so you don't sound like a fool.

Weaknesses: Can be a little time-consuming.


5. Learn Language Apps by Greg Vick

Type in language of choice in the app/store
FREE

Strengths: Has a huge list of vocabulary in every topic you could think of. Also excellent for when you're busy and commuting. You can test yourself through listening, spelling, pronunciation, or vocabulary

Weaknesses: Has many bugs but still one of my favourite language apps out of the many I've tried. Also has no grammar explanations.




I guarantee you, use one of these resources and you will be asking yourself why you didn't start learning a language earlier. They're so easy to incorporate into your busy life and you learn a lot from it for no money.
If you use any of the items I've mentioned in this list and it changes you're life, I'd love to hear about it!

My next blog post will be about my experience living in France and giving advice on living in the country of your target language.

Saya

xx