How LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE CAN BE FUN
You may not think of learning another language as being easy and fun- but it can be
When you think about learning a foreign language, what comes to mind is usually something challenging and tedious. But although there are times when it can be difficult, having creative and exciting ways to go about learning a foreign language can really turn the whole experience around.
There can be many reasons why a person would learn a foreign language. It could be for family reasons, for education, or even just for fun. It’s different for everyone, which is what makes every person's learning process unique. Though there are challenging obstacles, people can continue to learn a new language if they have a good source of motivation.
Learning a second language is very useful for when you're out of school and interacting with new people that may not be able to communicate in English. Some schools offer different learning opportunities in languages which can be electives that you can choose from. Taking Edgewood as an example, it has an array of distinct dialects, but the most common ones that students take are Spanish and Latin.
“I chose to learn Spanish because all of my family speaks it,” says Alec Eaton, 9.
Languages have lots of difficult learning curves. But a good way to get around them is to try to push through and get the help you need to understand and be successful. There are many ways to go about getting assistance when you seem to be struggling. You could get a tutor, talk to a Spanish teacher around school, ask a classmate for help, get a useful app, or even ask someone you may know that speaks the language to help you.
“My parents helped me out the most, and also gave me that experience. It also really depended on the teacher for me,” said Eaton, 9.
Latin is also one of the key languages at Edgewood. For many, Latin is known as a dead dialect, but there's still a lot of people who want to learn this language. Though it is a tough class, there are many reasons people enjoy taking it- including an outstanding instructor.
“I chose to learn Latin because I really liked the teacher, Ms. Glenn,” says Jennylinne Gunn, 11.
When you like the environment you are in when learning, it can make it much easier to absorb the language. This plays a big role in loving the learning process, and will actually make you fond of the language after you leave the class.
“It was really fun for me, I enjoy the teacher and students in the classroom because they brought life to it,” said Gunn.
But although she loved the class, there were still obstacles that Gunn had to overcome. At first, she found it difficult to absorb such a complicated language. But over time, with immersion, she discovered that learning Latin could be fun.
Gunn also gave some of her own advice for the people who are pondering learning this language, or any language in general.
“I would overall recommend just having fun with it. Know how to conjugate things, and make sure to study your vocabulary. Oh, and also pay attention to the teacher,” says Gunn.
Thinking simply when learning foreign languages can also help the process. It sounds silly, but it's true. Having an easy-going attitude (including a willingness to make mistakes) and the ability to play around with the language can make it easier going into it. By doing this, it can give you the right motivation you need to keep going. If possible, traveling is also one of the many other ways you can improve your learning of a foreign language. Visiting the places that speak the language you're learning can help you see it in action and listen to how people who are fluent in that dialect speak.
Now that you know some fun tips that can help you out on your journey to learn different languages, let's talk about some of the languages you could learn! Trying Spanish or French is definitely a good route, as there are a lot of similarities to English in these languages, so they're easier for English-speaker to pick up. But for more of a challenge, try Mandarin- it could become one of the most useful languages to know in the future.
All in all, having fun with something new that you're learning can help you to leave your comfort zone- and be more comfortable trying new things. It just makes the whole experience generally better. With that said, when you now think about learning a foreign language, you should look at the bright side of it. You could end up falling in love with the language and culture, you could like the teacher and your classmates, or you may end up finding that language very useful in the future. Don’t be scared to try new things, take a foreign language if you’re given the opportunity, and have fun with it!
This is Julia’s first year on staff and second year at Edgewood. They enjoy ink drawings and learning more about diverse groups. As a staff writer, they hope to contribute to the team and create interesting stories about the things they love.