Learning a foreign language. Is THAT difficult

Learning a foreign language. Is THAT difficult Some people tend to believe that they have little aptitude for languages. But this may not be so true we all have quite similar abilities. The truth is learning languages is all about attitude and will! Lets start analyzing what is language? Any language is just tool to express, a way of encoding our thoughts. Different languages â€" are different ways to encode thoughts. Our brains are used to replace meanings of things and actions, while we grow, and storage them.  While the brains primary function is to store information, its also must forget things. In fact, according to some neuro scientists, the brains main function is the ability  to forget, not to remember. When starting to learn a new language â€" many of the newly  memorized names are starting to erase, making our learning more difficult. Our native  language has a priority in our brain, which is why we can start to forget what we have  learnt. How can we help our brains to remember what we to remember when studying a foreign language? First of all, it helps to understand that specific, school-type tasks are not so effective: read and retell the text, memorize dialogs, write a review So useless for absorbing a language. Rule number one: do only effective and pleasant tasks, learning should be enjoyable and should not cause much difficulty. Any forced action provokes only negative feelings, which are not good for the learning. For example â€" listen to your favorite song; search for a translation of its words and you will understand its meaning. And singing it frequently makes you practice this new language â€" making your vocabulary grow. My personal experience for successful learning â€" is finding a hobby and start learning terms and phrases that have to do with it. I adore cooking, so I search for the videos with subtitles and I associate words I read with food and processes I see. Each person perceives the world in his/her own way. Therefore, to understand better any foreign language, you must understand the mindset of the people, for whom this language is native. Just knowing a huge heap of foreign words will not help you speak. Rule number 2: learning must go deeper, reaching and getting interest in the history, customs and traditions of the people â€" for whom this language is native. It is a good idea to go to a country where the studied language is spoken, to dive into the actual environment. However, in practice, it does not give any guarantee that you will quickly and naturally speak in a foreign language. Why? The first reason â€" lack of proper communication with native speakers. If you are traveling as a tourist, you will be speaking mostly with your guide or companions. If you come as part of a student group, then, as a rule, most of the time you will be talking each one with other. Because its easier. Man is so constituted that he always tries to follow the line of least resistance. Rule number 3: Try to go on your own.  Dare the risk! If that feels too  intimidating, keep your cell phone with the number of a translator handy. The second reason the difficulty to establish close contacts with foreign friends. You are a stranger for them â€" deal with it! Just not give up, act confident and respectful, do not get shy when you are talking with some mistakes. And always keep the distance. The third reason. Native speakers do not know their language. Sounds funny, but its true. Pay attention to themselves. They cannot correctly answer the meaning, and explain some words. Once in Ecuador, I saw a huge strike â€" some taxis blocked the main streets. Ecuadorians called that “Páro” â€" I tried to make my friends explain me what does “Paro” means… they could not. Thus, the success of learning a foreign language abroad depends on your personal qualities. How quickly and easily you can start contacts and well-established relationship with other people? I can say that the main factor is motivation. Realize your personal need for foreign language skills, apply regular efforts, be patient, and you will always succeed. It is desirable in learning a foreign language, to minimize the use of their mother tongue. This will accelerate the overcome of language barrier. And most importantly, the learning process should be fun. Do not be upset if something does not work right away. Focus on your objective, on your language success. Believe in yourself, and the results will come faster than you think. Learning a foreign language. Is THAT difficult Some people tend to believe that they have little aptitude for languages. But this may not be so true we all have quite similar abilities. The truth is learning languages is all about attitude and will! Lets start analyzing what is language? Any language is just tool to express, a way of encoding our thoughts. Different languages â€" are different ways to encode thoughts. Our brains are used to replace meanings of things and actions, while we grow, and storage them.  While the brains primary function is to store information, its also must forget things. In fact, according to some neuro scientists, the brains main function is the ability  to forget, not to remember. When starting to learn a new language â€" many of the newly  memorized names are starting to erase, making our learning more difficult. Our native  language has a priority in our brain, which is why we can start to forget what we have  learnt. How can we help our brains to remember what we to remember when studying a foreign language? First of all, it helps to understand that specific, school-type tasks are not so effective: read and retell the text, memorize dialogs, write a review So useless for absorbing a language. Rule number one: do only effective and pleasant tasks, learning should be enjoyable and should not cause much difficulty. Any forced action provokes only negative feelings, which are not good for the learning. For example â€" listen to your favorite song; search for a translation of its words and you will understand its meaning. And singing it frequently makes you practice this new language â€" making your vocabulary grow. My personal experience for successful learning â€" is finding a hobby and start learning terms and phrases that have to do with it. I adore cooking, so I search for the videos with subtitles and I associate words I read with food and processes I see. Each person perceives the world in his/her own way. Therefore, to understand better any foreign language, you must understand the mindset of the people, for whom this language is native. Just knowing a huge heap of foreign words will not help you speak. Rule number 2: learning must go deeper, reaching and getting interest in the history, customs and traditions of the people â€" for whom this language is native. It is a good idea to go to a country where the studied language is spoken, to dive into the actual environment. However, in practice, it does not give any guarantee that you will quickly and naturally speak in a foreign language. Why? The first reason â€" lack of proper communication with native speakers. If you are traveling as a tourist, you will be speaking mostly with your guide or companions. If you come as part of a student group, then, as a rule, most of the time you will be talking each one with other. Because its easier. Man is so constituted that he always tries to follow the line of least resistance. Rule number 3: Try to go on your own.  Dare the risk! If that feels too  intimidating, keep your cell phone with the number of a translator handy. The second reason the difficulty to establish close contacts with foreign friends. You are a stranger for them â€" deal with it! Just not give up, act confident and respectful, do not get shy when you are talking with some mistakes. And always keep the distance. The third reason. Native speakers do not know their language. Sounds funny, but its true. Pay attention to themselves. They cannot correctly answer the meaning, and explain some words. Once in Ecuador, I saw a huge strike â€" some taxis blocked the main streets. Ecuadorians called that “Páro” â€" I tried to make my friends explain me what does “Paro” means… they could not. Thus, the success of learning a foreign language abroad depends on your personal qualities. How quickly and easily you can start contacts and well-established relationship with other people? I can say that the main factor is motivation. Realize your personal need for foreign language skills, apply regular efforts, be patient, and you will always succeed. It is desirable in learning a foreign language, to minimize the use of their mother tongue. This will accelerate the overcome of language barrier. And most importantly, the learning process should be fun. Do not be upset if something does not work right away. Focus on your objective, on your language success. Believe in yourself, and the results will come faster than you think.