How to learn a foreign language using Tutor Hunt

How babies acquire a language is a total mystery, for they seem to simply soak up the speech patterns of their environment without any systematic training. The real burst in language acquisition begins at around 18 months, by which point they may have a twenty word vocabulary; and by the time they are three they will likely know around a thousand words.
Adults are unable to learn new languages with such easy proficiency, and usually require months or even years of formal training to study and learn a novel grammar and syntax. It can certainly be a challenge, especially if the language shares no significant history, and diverges widely in lexicon and sentence structure. The following tips may ease the struggle for someone about to begin learning a new language.

1. Get Motivated

We work best when we have a goal in mind, so tell yourself that in 6 months, or a year, you will travel to the country whose language you are learning, and put your new found skills to use! With this target in mind, you will find yourself more motivated to learn. If travel is not an option, perhaps for financial or personal reasons, a simpler goal can be selected. If you are learning French you could set yourself the target of visiting a French restaurant, and speaking only the national language to the clientele. Or you could set yourself the task of watching foreign language movies - but without the subtitles. You can be creative in your aspirations, but the important thing is to have a definitive goal in mind, otherwise all your labours will seem sterile and academic.

2. Find a language tutor on Tutor Hunt

We have literally thousands of tutors registered with us, and with such a wide selection you are certain to find the right teacher. On our homepage simply enter the language you wish to learn in the `enter a subject` field, and select the level. If you are looking to study the language for non academic reasons choose `adult learner` from the drop down menu. After selecting in-person or online click the green search button, and you will presented with a list of tutors who match your criteria. Clicking on individual names will take you to the tutors` profile pages, where you can read more information about them. Once you have found someone who looks suitable you can send them a message by clicking the green `contact this tutor` button below their photo. You are free to message as many tutors as you wish for no charge, and once a tutor has replied stating they are available, you will be guided as to how to book lessons with them. All payments for lessons are made through the website.

3. Study the grammar, morphology and syntax of your new language

This is where you will get down to business. Different languages have a different framework. You will probably have to learn how to conjugate verbs, and you will certainly have to be attentive to word order. At the beginning it can seem a daunting challenge, but learning itself is the process of difficult tasks becoming easier. Your tutor will set the pace, and though the initial lessons may involve more study than speaking, you will soon find yourself using your newfound knowledge in practical examples.

4. Take advantage on online resources

The internet is full of web sites and apps that will be of great help to you. Many of these apps won`t even require you to type a word in, as you can simply say it into your microphone, and the software will not only provide a definition, but will also sound out a perfect pronunciation (because yours probably wasn`t!), along with displaying the spelling, and examples of the word in sentences.
Most of these apps will also be able to translate phrases and even short sentences, so you`ll never have to waste time leafing through a dictionary to get a correct definition. Online forums can also be really helpful, as you can post more detailed questions, and get an answer from a number of native speakers.

5. Listen to music and watch videos

Learning a foreign language is certainly helped by watching films and listening to music, as you will pick up on certain nuances of speech and cadences that you simply can`t acquire from text. Once you have reached a certain degree of proficiency, my advice would be to watch a modern movie, and even if it feels like you are barely comprehending anything, resist the urge to add subtitles. With the English text on the screen you may find yourself ignoring the sound, and so achieve nothing from the exercise. Once you have watched the film through once or twice you can put the subtitles on, and be prepared to pause the video and practice certain phrases.

6. Attempt to bring your new language into your life

A language isn`t a simple tool, that is only taken out when it is needed - without constant use it will atrophy. An hour or two of lessons a week will not produce fast results, so you should try to bring what you have learnt into your daily routine. Time alone in the car is the prefect opportunity for you to practice some phrases - queuing at the supermarket, thats an ideal chance to reprise the new words you learnt in your last lesson, and maybe acquire a few more using your translation app. Language is part of our life - we use it to record history, and make plans for the future. If you want to learn a new language you should try to give it as much space as you can in your day to day life.