How to Learn a Language: 5 Steps to Mastering a New Language

Learning a new language can be quite a task for Indian students who are going to study abroad. But there are tips, tricks and hacks which can help Indian students learn a new language and build on its knowledge. Check out the article to understand how to learn a new language for studying abroad a step-by-step guide along with some useful tips and tricks too. 

With a population of 8 billion people, there are more than 250 language families, which have 6,909 languages spoken across the globe, according to SIL’s Ethnologue Report (2023). Thus, there is a wide scope for learning new languages to either add skills to resumes or study in a country where the native language is different from that of the applicants. 

Indian students applying to universities abroad where English is not a native language will have to learn some basics before mastering the language for day-to-day conversations. Here are some tips and tricks for learning a new language before studying abroad, where English is not the first preferred language for communication. Check out how to learn a language through this article. 

Essentials of Why to Learn a Language to Study Abroad

Apart from countries like the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which are English-speaking countries, there are other countries where English is not the first language. Thus, in countries where English is a second language, it is easy for Indian students to survive. However, there may be countries where English speakers might be very low. 

Here is a list of countries where English is not the first language but a second or third language. Indian applicants applying for admission to the below countries will have to learn the official language if not completely but at least the basics of the corresponding native language:

The maximum students apply to the countries mentioned above to study at their top-ranking universities in the world. So Indian students applying for admission to the above-given countries should begin learning a new language as part of their preparation to study abroad. Check out details about some of Top 10 Most Difficult Languages in the World

Benefits of Learning a New Language to Study Abroad

Indian students studying in a non-English-speaking country will have to learn the language used there for communication. The students will benefit from learning a new language and here are the reasons why:

• By learning a new language, Indian students will benefit in communication and put across their points of view easily.
• Students will also benefit from interacting with local people and learning about the country’s culture while studying there.
• Those who have post-study work plans can work in local companies and also understand their work culture with the learnt language factor.
• Networking will get easier for students who know the local language, hence can be beneficial in hunting jobs, taking up additional courses and understanding opportunities suitable for them in the country.
• Finally, by learning a new language before studying in the new country, Indian students can add to their CV, which will add to their list of skills.

Thus, learning a new language in the country they wish to study in can broaden their horizons in higher studies, post-study work opportunities, or even internships. 

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How to Learn a Language? Step-by-Step Guide

After discussing the different countries, their official languages, and the percentage of native speakers, we can now consider the best way to learn a new language before starting education abroad. 

Step 1: Identify the New Language for Learning

Before learning any new language, applicants will have to do some reiki. First, they shortlist the country and then check for its native language. Once the language is identified for learning, they check how much time they have. Language identification is important so applicants get to the point of learning without much ado. 

Step 2: Medium of Learning a New Language

This is the most important aspect of learning a new language before studying abroad as an Indian student. Based on the time limitations, applicants must choose between learning a new language online or offline. There may also be an option to learn a new language by yourself. So, those thinking about how can learn through online free apps for YouTube channels. 

Whatever the choice, check how long it will take to learn the language and whether the fee is based on offline or online mediums. 

While offline institutions may charge between low to high, online apps may charge higher than offline institutions. For those choosing the online medium can check out some of the best app to learn a new language listed below:

• Duolingo
• Babbel
• Memrise
• Busuu
• Hello Talk

Check out:

• Top 10 Apps to Boost Productivity Among Students
• 35 Useful Websites for Students

Step 3: Certifications after Learning the New Language

Once the medium is decided, the fee is understood, and now understand how the certification will be awarded. Check if the certification is authentic to be presented abroad or not and if an additional fee needs to be paid for notarised copies and sending score reports to universities where admissions have been taken or if the need may arise, for visa applications also. 

Step 4: Get to the Learning Part!

Now that the basic details are sorted, get to the learning part. Give yourself enough time to understand the basics of the language, grammar rules, phonetics and the use of language. Learning can be fruitful based on the following pointers:

• Revise whatever is taught regularly.
• Speak out loud the new words learnt in the new language.
• Watch YouTube videos to understand the accents used in the language you are learning.
• Begin listening to music in the same language if you enjoy listening to music and reading the lyrics.
• Research about the country's culture and how dialects vary in the language based on the region if any. 
• Become a part of the community where this language is spoken on social media and interact with them. You can even read their posts and viewpoints in the language you are learning to master.
• Learn some basics of the language like differentiating between genders (if they are in the language), greeting one another and common phrases as a traveller. 

Step 5: Practice Makes a Man Perfect!

Irrespective of the time at hand of the applicant, practice is the key to success in learning a new language. The key to mastering a new language is by practice, dedication and passion for learning something new. Don’t take it as a task, but enjoy the process and learn how people across the globe speak a different language, may have a different thought process and how one language can engage so many people in a single conversation. Thus, practice the rules of the language and the phonetics so that you don’t forget. 

This is the ideal way of learning a new language. However, to make the process easier, we’ll discuss a few tips and tricks in the following section.

Additional Useful Tips & Tricks on How to Learn a Language

While learning a new language for an Indian student studying abroad can be exhausting, here are a few tips and tricks that can help students. So those wondering, how to learn a new language fast, can refer to the following  key tips and tricks:

• Do your homework and list out all the major facts about the language to make a connection with the language you’ll be learning.
• Make notes. This is essential because it’ll be easy to return to your notes and revisit the confusion areas.
• Build vocabulary by playing simple games in that language wherever possible in your free time. 
• Get elementary-level books, build your basics, and read aloud like you did as a kid. 
• Learn through mnemonics, this is thus far the best way of learning complex rules of a new language.
• Write down your doubts and clarify whenever you get a chance, because if you do not ask, you will never learn about the language.
• Finally, keep a dictionary with English to the translations of the new languages so that you don’t have to wait to get back to your class to clear your doubts.

Hopefully, these tips and tricks will benefit Indian students who are learning a new language. 

Language learning is a next-level experience because it adds to the excitement of studying in a different country. Understanding the language in a foreign land gives the student confidence in not just conversations but also in navigating tricky situations. Thus, it is always better to be prepared beforehand. So get to the learning part!

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Good luck with your new language classes!