Do you plan to travel abroad to learn a language? Great idea! Immersing yourself in the culture and being exposed to the natural language all the time will accelerate the learning process.
I’d like to share with you some tips to prevent you from some common mistakes that many make while studying abroad:
1. Avoid using your native language. Don’t use it, apart from situations, when you contact your family, etc. You may meet many people who have never learned the language of the country they have moved in because they chose to spend most of their time in their community. What a waste!
2. Are you considering going to a full-time language school? Before you enroll and make that bank transfer, ask yourself: is it worth to spend such a significant sum? Remember that your schoolmates will be on the same level as you are. Therefore, will it be genuinely beneficial for you to have conversations with them in a foreign language? Another problem is: very often you will be surrounded by people who are of the same origin as you are. The temptation to speak with them in your language will be powerful. That will take away a lot from your studying.
3. Instead of taking a language course, search for online resources that will help you effectively learn a language. The great benefit of those is a low cost (many are available free) and flexibility, which is especially valuable when you have a regular job.
4. Before coming to the country of your interest, learn at least basics of its language! This effort will allow you to interact with others almost immediately.
5. And the most important: DO NOT BE AFRAID! Even though you are a beginner, speak! Persistence and continuous practice will bring spectacular effects.
I hope you enjoyed this post!