If you’re looking to broaden your horizons by learning a new language, you are not the only one. Mastering a new language is frequently listed among one of the most common life goals globally, with more and more of us coming to understand the value of foreign language skills.
However, many of the people who hope to learn a language from scratch will fail to do so, often because they feel they do not have the resources to immerse themselves in a new language.
However, with the help of modern technology, mastering a new language has become easier and more accessible than ever before. Here are some of the ways that technology can jump-start your language learning journey.
One-on-one tutoring, wherever you are
A major barrier to language learning for many people in the past has been the inability to find a qualified language instructor in your area. After all, someone living in a small village in England who is hoping to learn German might struggle to find a teacher within an easy commute.
However, with technology, geographical barriers to educational resources have eroded. Digital tutoring platforms like Preply mean that the person in that English village can instantly access expert, one-on-one German tutoring with a teacher located on the other side of the globe. These days, the place where you live does not need to dictate your access to educational resources.
Instant translation at your fingertips
A huge part of language learning is understanding how the words and phrases you use in your own language translate into the language you wish to learn. On-the-spot translation used to be a difficult, painstaking process that most people could not be bothered with during an everyday situation.
However, technology has changed all of that. Even basic tools such as Google Translate are incredibly useful at helping you build a list of handy vocabulary with very little effort. You can even use the live translation function to instantly convert text and images into your chosen language.
Communicate in your chosen language at any time
You cannot master a new language if you don’t have acquaintances to speak it with. With the internet, you no longer need to scour the globe for a suitable pen pal or tandem partner to help you learn a language. You can go the more formal route, signing up to forums to find an online tandem partner from anywhere in the world.
However, even this amount of effort is no longer necessary. You can instantly start practicing your language skills by conversing with native speakers online in more casual settings such as Twitter or Reddit. Even these casual interactions can have a significant impact in helping you to master conversational foreign languages.
Turn your free time into a language-learning opportunity
Although it is by no means the most effective way to learn a new language, it has been consistently proven that passive forms of learning have a big positive impact. This means introducing your chosen language into your free time in ways that require little effort on your part, allowing you to absorb the language passively.
This has been made much easier by streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon, which have extensive language settings that allow you to convert any TV show or movie into the language you are trying to learn. You can switch the subtitles to your chosen language, or you can go the full hog and set the audio to your chosen language as well. This will help you to pick up words and phrases in ways you didn’t even think were possible.
Autocorrect to nudge you towards fluency
When you have already mastered the essentials of a language and just need some extra help getting towards fluency, finding the resources to get you there can be difficult. This is where everyday tech tools that we take for granted such as autocorrect can prove incredibly useful. You can even go the extra mile and use dedicated language auto-checkers such as LanguageTool and Lorca, to help you iron out the creases and become truly fluent in your second language.
These are just a few of the ways that technology has made it easier to master a new language. With resources like these at your fingertips, who needs excuses?
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