Learning A Foreign Language

a LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Learning a foreign language can be interesting, stimulating and fun. It can also be difficult, frustrating and boring. In order to maximize your chances of long-termsuccess, it is important to consider which approach to language learning will provide you with the most benefits. Your lifestyle, educational background, current resources in terms of time and money,and your personality should all be taken into account when deciding which method of language learning to pursue.Consider each of the three main ways of learning a language: self-study at home usingbooks, CDs, DVDs and other learning materials; attending classes with a teacher and other students; and online courses using interactive learning materials.Each of these methods has its own advantagesand disadvantages. If you are unable to attend regular daytime or evening classes because of work or family commitments, self-study may suit you. However, this approach to language learning requires ahigh level of self-motivation and self-discipline. If you decide to learn in this way, it is a good idea to set yourself a weekly goal, so that your learning will move forward. It's true that Englishhas become a global lingua franca over the past several decades. This fact, however, really should have little effect on your decision to learn a foreign language. The attitude that English alone isenough in fact creates self-imposed limitations. To remain monolingual is to stunt your educational development, to restrict your communication and thinking abilities, and to deny yourself the abilityto fully appreciate and understand the world in which you live. Learning another language opens up new opportunities and gives you perspectives that you might never have encountered otherwise.Personal, professional, social, and economic considerations all point to the advantages of learning foreign languages.
Another important aspect is that learning a new language is hard work. There are...