Whether you know zero vocabulary or you are an advanced level in a foreign language, a little preparation can help you get the most out of your immersion language program abroad. Here are some tips from study abroad veterans. Whether you plan to study Spanish, learn Italian, or even become fluent in Japanese, this is advice worth the attention.
1. Set realistic targets
Learning a foreign language is not easy for most of us. It takes time, practice and many mistakes. Go into a program with the goal of increasing your communication skills. Do not assume you are going to refine the language so many weeks or months, is too much pressure.
2. Bolster your vocabulary
If you are a beginner, take a phrase book, preferably with a tape to accompany it (check the e-book Spanish phrase given away at the end of this article). Learn some basic principles such as: "Please," "Thank You", "Where is .." "What ...", Etc. Knowing these phrases and some hand gestures will get you a crunch. For intermediate or advanced speakers, we recommend learning as much vocabulary as possible before I go, including common idioms. Your language instruction will focus mainly on grammar, speaking and listening. The more vocabulary you have to enter the program, you get more ways to apply the language.
All participants must bring a comprehensive dictionary, not just a pocket dictionary. Consider a guide has a section listing local colloquialisms. This ensures that there will be traveling to Ecuador or try to study in Guatemala, with only the knowledge of the Spanish commonly used in Madrid or Barcelona. Being prepared for such spaces can help you get the most out of your language courses and study abroad program.
3. Be able to conjugate verbs important
Learn to conjugate, COLD, those very important verbs like: to wish / want, to be able / can, to be and go. These kinds of verbs conjugated in the present or past, combined with infinite Instantly increase your ability to communicate. If you are an absolute beginner to focus on the "I" and "you" forms of verbs really important.
4. That the language
Do not try and translate everything word for word. Not working. You can drive yourself crazy looking for a word that can not exist in the target language. Recognizing the fact that grammar rules will be different. Learn the differences to the similarities and your understanding of how the language will increase tenfold. Even if you are fluent in Spanish and have spent years studying in Barcelona, if you plan to attend an international language program in Paris you need to become familiar with a new "thought process" for French.
5. In case of doubt, "Literature-ize"
This means try to use "bigger" words. For example, in Spanish, "necessity" does not translate but "necessity" turns into "necesidad", "requirement" to "TEST" and "need" in bloom "exigence". Since these words sound very similar, you will understood. There are examples like these in all languages.
6. The Romance languages are similar
If you know another romance language, you have a leg up to learn Spanish or learn Portuguese. You already know the concept of masculine and feminine words, accents, etc. Many words ending in Y, as freedom will end with: "ad" in Spanish, "e" in French, "ade" in Portuguese, or "A" in Italian. Similarly, words ending in "ion" in English often sound the same, and the same meaning in Spanish.
Learn Chinese or Japanese to study Arabic, Hebrew, or Thai can present unique challenges, as the words are so different from what many of us are accustomed to hearing. More time may be needed to learn these languages, and more pre-trip preparation can be immensely useful. Regardless of the level of difficulty of the language, knowing two or more languages makes any international study program easier, and the benefits of learning a language is not common may far outweigh the disadvantages.
7. Stay Open Minded
The best tool for learning a language at any level is a good attitude. Understanding the culture helps with language acquisition. Do not be afraid to make mistakes, they are great to learn and can be fun! A sense of humor really helps.
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