Tipps for Language Learning in a Foreign Country

If you ask around what way is best to learn a second language, many people will tell you to travel to a country where that language is spoken. Sounds easy enough, doesn't it? However, simply travelling to another country won't increase your language proficiency in that country's official language. There are some things you should keep in mind to reach your goal:

1) In order to increase proficiency in a language, you need to use it. This seems to go without saying, but I have known people who went to another country to do an internship and still didn't know any more of that country's official language by the time they returned home several weeks later. Another example is the youth group who goes on holidays. If all the teenagers stay among themselves, they won't need the second language at all, so they might as well spend their holidays in their own country for all the effect on their language skills.

2) Stay in a guest family. The best way to naturally increase your language proficiency is to stay in a guest family. You will need to use the second language whenever you want to communicate with them, and you will hear it in a natural environment. It is not necessary for you to communicate in grammatically correct sentences; as long as your guest family understands what you mean, you are fine (and they can help you express yourselv correctly).

3) Don't be shy. You are in a foreign country and have the opportunity to use your second language, so seize that opportunity. Most people will be willing to help you even if you don't know exactly how to say something, and you might meet a lot of interesting people that way. It is definitely a good start for a conversation if they notice that you are not from there.... If you are too shy to start conversations with strangers, just keep in mind that you probably won't see them ever again.

Generally, travelling to foreign countries is an awesome opportunity to learn or improve your language skills, and it is likely the easiest way to do it. Furthermore, it is a great way to learn a language in a way no text book or language course can usually offer you.