Becoming Fluent By Talking To People
There is a huge difference between learning a new language and becoming fluent in it
. It is easy to sit down and memorize a whole bunch of vocabulary words.
It is much harder to have the courage to walk up to a fluent individual you do not know and start talking to them in order to become fluent. However, if you travel to another country that primarily speaks a language that you are not fluent in, this may be exactly what you have to do.
A short trip can definitely help your improve your ability to understand a given language, but it will not ensure that you are fluent by the end. If you are intent on learning a language, it is a good idea to stay a couple months in the other country.
However, take advantage of the opportunity that you have while you are there. If you continuously go back, you will probably pick up more and more of the language each time you go as long as you make efforts to practice as much as you can while you are there.
It can be very intimidating to reach out and meet new people who you do not know and who do not speak your native language in a different country on your own. The easier route is definitely to have a friend introduce you to people.
However, this does not allow you to meet and talk to nearly as many people. Meeting people on your own can definitely help you improve your language and you can do it, if you are determined enough.
The first thing you will have to do is develop the right attitude about it. The right attitude is a mindset in which you realize that you there are thousands of new people you can meet and become friends with and that this is the best opportunity you are going to have to become fluent.
You need to become determined to meet new people, no matter what happens. Making friends and improving your language skills need to become your number one priority while you are in a different country.
If you are going to pull this off, you need to be bold and friendly. Do not show any signs of hesitation of timidity.
However, you do want to plan how you are going to meet these people in a way that is not awkward or offensive. One of the ways in which you may want to meet people is on the street.
Select a fairly common building that blends in to the surroundings in the city. This building should be in a fairly busy area.
Go and stand a few blocks away from it and watch for people who are look like they may be heading to that building. Quickly approach them and ask them where the building is that you singled out.
They will probably point it out and may even let you walk with them to it if that is where they are headed. Take the opportunity to get to know them and practice your language skills.
Even if they do not invite you to walk with them, continue walking with them unless seem like they are in a hurry, scared of you, or like they would be offended if you did. If you know enough about the language, try to say something about the building you asked them about.
However, if you do not have a wide enough vocabulary start a conversation by talking about something else that you do have a pretty good vocabulary on. Make sure you play along with the act completely.
If you are going to the post office, carry a letter. If you are going to a play, carry some tickets.
You want your act to be believable so the people you meet do not get suspicious or wary of you. You are trying to create a situation in which you can easily talk to each other without concern so that you can learn the language.
Another tactic you may want to try is taking a book and a small dictionary to a quiet area to 'read.' However, when you spot someone you would like to meet, go up to them and ask about the definition of a word that is in your book, but not in your small dictionary.
It is best to choose a word that is obscure even in the language you are learning. That way, the person does not rattle off the answer and dismiss you.
Instead you will be able to start a conversation and get to know the person or people you are talking to.
by: Ignacio Lopez
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