Learning languages can be an arduous task, but for some it seems easy. I’m sure you all know one of those people who speaks several languages because he seems to have a way with it.

Their motivation to speak different languages is so high that they try to surround themselves with foreign people, they travel to different countries in order to learn the language in its natural environment and their mind is prepared to absorb everything that is not in their native language, just like a child explorer, who is curious about everything.

How to learn languages in a much more natural way?

But apart from being useful to conquer a woman from another country or to get a job in a multinational, knowing languages brings many benefits , for example: it favours creativity and delays or placates the symptoms of dementia.

Many are already familiar with the case of Matthew Youlden, a young British man who speaks nine languages. Well, here are the 10 tips for learning languages in the quickest way . So take note!

1. Have a motive

This may seem obvious, but if you don’t have a good reason or motive for learning a new language, you may not be motivated enough to strive and overcome the obstacles that may arise. For example, an acquaintance called John, learned the language because he had a Russian partner . On the other hand, Maria, a human resources director, learned English because she considered it necessary to grow professionally.

2. Get a partner

In the case of Maria, she learned English because she signed up for classes are her best friend . They used to travel together to different English-speaking countries: the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, etc., and in this way they shared knowledge and the learning process became more enjoyable. Having a friend or study partner can also motivate you to keep learning.

3. Talk to yourself

When you don’t have that partner with you, there is nothing wrong with talking to yourself . Talking to yourself in the language you are learning is good because it allows you to practice all day long. This forces you to test yourself and practice for when you talk to another person.

4. Make it important to you

If you make learning the language a priority, you will take actions that will help you improve your learning. For example, if you know that the cashier of the supermarket in your town is German and you are learning German, whenever you can converse with her in that language .

5. Have fun with it

Learn the language in a fun way. Watching movies in that language or reading entertaining books can be a good way to learn and improve. Other strategies such as singing or recording radio shows can also be fun and you can do this with friends.

6. Act like a child

This doesn’t mean that you have to cry to be held or paint the walls of your house with a marker. The idea is that you adopt a attitude of curiosity like children have. Besides, children are uninhibited and have no shame, so you can learn something from them to improve your learning of a new language.

When we are small, we are allowed to make mistakes, but as we get older, much more is demanded of us. Don’t be hard on yourself when you make mistakes, no one is born a master. Only practice will allow you to learn a new language.

7. Leave the comfort zone

Allowing yourself to make mistakes takes you out of your comfort zone, because it puts you in situations that can be embarrassing. This can make you feel afraid, but it’s the best way to grow and keep learning. No matter how much you study the language, you will not improve if you don’t talk to foreigners , if you don’t order food in restaurants, if you don’t ask for directions, etc. The more you practice, the more you will learn.

8. Listen

You have to learn to listen before you speak . Any language sounds strange the first time you hear it, but as you study and listen to it it becomes more familiar. The more you listen to other people speak that language, the better you will know how to pronounce it.

9. Carry a small dictionary with you

This is important when you start, but also when you have conversations with people who are native speakers of the language you speak . It’s always good to have a dictionary handy in case you get stuck with the vocabulary.

10. Make new friends

There’s nothing better than meeting new people who share the same interests as you. There are groups of people who meet to learn the language, and also there are specialized pages where you can meet new contacts in order to talk . Who knows, maybe you meet someone interesting enough to make a nice friendship.