Learning a foreign language is difficult. Our brains are used to the sounds, words, grammar, syntax of our native language. We feel comfortable thinking in our native language. We feel comfortable talking in our native language. We don’t feel comfortable thinking or talking in a different, newly learned language.
This is especially true when we talk with a native speaker. We often choose to be silent. We do not want to reveal our ineptitude. That is the absolute worst thing to do!
A native speaker is the best person to talk with. You will hear the natural cadence of the language. You will experience a more natural conversation flow. You will increase your learning exponentially with native speakers.
Workbooks and practice with fellow learners are valuable, no doubt about it. However, once you reach a certain level of competency and fluency, the most beneficial thing you can do is to converse with native speakers. Do this whenever you have the opportunity!
The next best thing is to listen to English at least 10 minutes a day. I’ll say it again . . . Listen to English every day! Even if you are not really concentrating on it. Even if you don’t understand everything (or any of it). Even if it doesn’t make sense. Listen! You mind will become familiar with the sounds of English. You will begin to absorb the cadence of spoken speech. You will become aware of nuance in pronunciation. Eventually, you will discover yourself imitating those sounds, cadences, pronunciation.
TL; DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
The 2 most important ways to improve in fluency in any language:
- Speak it at every opportunity, especially with native speakers.
- Listen to the target language everyday.
testing again