Why Learning a New Language is More than Nouns and Verbs

Students who want to learn a new language often make the mistake of focusing all their efforts on memorization. They work to memorize nouns and verbs. They may put notes on items around the house, hoping it will help them remember what those items are in another language.

While these methods aren’t wrong, they won’t allow you to become an effective speaker of a foreign language. If you want to learn to speak French or study English, you must know more than the individual words or even phrases. Instead, you must understand the culture of the language you are learning.

Beyond the Words to the Speaker

One of the best ways to learn to speak conversational English, French or any other language is to learn something about the typical speaker. Even though you don’t want to risk stereotyping all French speakers or Italians into a single category, you can imagine what the typical Parisian around your age

would be doing on a day like today.

Picture this person who is not unlike you in age and career, and think about what they would be doing today. Perhaps they live in a small apartment in an upscale area of Paris, and they like to stop for a baguette and coffee on their walk to work every morning. They stop in one of the local cafes where they chat with the owner as they select a delectable pastry. As you practice the words and phrases for

someone in this situation, you have a picture in your mind.

Don’t just rely on stories about people you have heard. Take the time to research the people who live and speak the language you’re learning. Find out what they like and dislike, their interests and concerns. Get to know the people and the culture of the language you’re learning. This research will bring the language to life, and it will help you remember those phrases better than just rote memorization.

Live a Richer Life

As you learn more about the different culture on your quest to master learning a new language, you will grow as a person. It can give you a new perspective on life in general and other cultures specifically.

Whether you get to visit the place in person or just speak to people from the country over the phone, you will have a greater appreciation for this location and the residents. It will no longer simply be a dot on the map. Instead, it will come to life as you understand that people may come from different cultures and speak a different language, but there are basic ways they are the same as you.

Learning a foreign language should be about more than memorizing words. It should open you up to a new culture and enrich your life in a whole new way. Take the time to learn the story behind the language and understand the people and you’ll discover a more rewarding endeavor as you become a master of the language.

Berlitz provides French classes Toronto with private or group lessons. English and French classes and courses allow students to learn a new language in 10 days.