What does it take to be a good language learner?
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Hard work is the key to success when you’re learning another language, and there are many things to help you on your way.
The first and most obvious is regular attendance in class. It’s the most critical aspect of your learning as you’re getting input from your teacher as well as the chance to interact with other students. The homework you are given also plays a vital role as it helps to reinforce everything done in class, and so goes some way towards bridging the gap between one lesson and the next.
We also recommend that you make use of the internet to access e-magazines and newspapers in the language you are learning. This will help you to become more familiar with colloquial language. You could even advertise for a pen pal. Watching movies with subtitles gives you the opportunity to get feedback on what you hear as you are able to read while listening at the same time. This activity also helps you with pronunciation. You will also fine Internet sites that enable you to practice your listening skills and that provide additional grammar exercises.
At Wits Language School we also offer a great service called the Language Lounge which gives you the opportunity to meet English language learners in order to interact in the language you are learning. For example, a Spanish speaker learning English will be put in touch with an English speaker learning Spanish. You and your language partner can meet for an hour in a safe and comfortable environment such as a coffee shop as often as you like.
Learning another language is hard work, but it can be fun too. And we’re always there to help!