What can be accomplished in a week? Multilingual twins Matthew and Michael Youlden decided to try and learn a language (see video above)! But you don’t have to be a multilingual mastermind to do what they did. Based on the twins’ own techniques, here are the seven steps that anyone can use to learn a language:
1. Set Goals
Clearly define your goal at the very beginning and then plot a route towards achieving this goal.
2. Get Sticky
Map and label your immediate environment in the new language from the very first moment (yay post-its!).
3. Grab A Partner
Whether you’re motivated by competition or a sense of mutual responsibility, the mere presence of a learning partner is likely to exert just the right amount of pressure to keep you on track.
4. Reward Yourself
You need milestones on your route towards your goal. The gratification that comes with hitting milestones will spur you on to ever greater heights.
5. Eat The Language
Surround yourself with the food, music and films of your new language, so that even in your downtime you can prime your mind.
6. Use What You Already Know
Find parallels and make comparisons between the language(s) you already know and your new language.
7. Variety Is The Spice Of Life
So you have your route plotted and an idea of your go-to methods, but remember to be open to trying new experiences and mixing things up!
So where do you begin? Babbel is the best way to commit to learning a language easily and effectively. Developed by language learning experts, Babbel prepares you for real-life conversations from your very first lesson — and the revolutionary 15-minute, bite-sized lessons fit seamlessly into your busy schedule.