The Best Method to Learn a Language

What is the best method for achieving a certain speaking level in a given language?

The answer to this question may seem self-evident, after all, there are plenty of language-learning apps and online courses out there. However, what many people fail to consider when selecting a form of language education is the use they'll get out of the knowledge they try to grasp throughout their respective course. A great amount of teachers and platforms accentuate the wrong things, for example the memorization of useless words and phrases, or heavy grammar, or lack of practical exercises. This, in turn, results in the student having little to no speaking abilities in a language, which is what most students want, either for travel or moving to another country.

What Method is Best?

During my time working as an English and French teacher at the RG Plus office in Sochi, I have noticed that the Russian language-learning system, in particular, is ill-equipped to handle students' aspirations to speak a language in real-life situations. In many ways, both the public school system and private institutions here in Russia use outdated methods to teach students, such as an endless focus on grammar, memorization of useless and impractical text and complete absence of practical activities. In the end, both kids and adults alike fail to speak a language even at the most basic level. That's because the methods listed are illogical and demotivating. The only way to learn a language is to be realistic about it. You must understand that it takes time, patience and lots and lots of practice. Preferably, practice that involves a native speaker, with subjects that will keep you invested in the process of continued learning.

How Can I Start Today?

The best way to start implementing this method of language-learning into your day-to-day life is to set speaking and comprehension goals for yourself. For example, watch a TV show or movie in your chosen language, read a book or magazine, speak on the phone, or video chat with an advanced or native speaker about any subject you enjoy. This implementation will, in turn, lead to you grasping new words and phrases, which you can then use to further your speaking abilities. If you want to completely immerse yourself into language-learning, however, then it would be beneficial to find some teacher or school, which specializes in this sort of methodology. At RG Plus, for example, we employ not only the above listed techniques, but also our own signature course elements, including topics specifically designed for soon-to-be immigrants. Moreover, most RG Plus language lessons are held by me, a native speaker from Canada. These lessons are available online or in-person.

What's the Catch?

The catch is... that it will take time for you to proficiently speak a language. If you want to start speaking a language then you must, as I've stated above, have patience. It is the key to everything. If you're a level 1 beginner in English, let's say, then you would need to start with the utmost basics, learning simple words and phrases, like days of the week and months, animals and food. But, as the age-old saying goes, "practice makes perfect". That is what your motto must be when progressing through a language.

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