How To Learn Any Language Quickly

Most language learning courses and methods are b.s.

The very first language learning course you were probably exposed to if you live in the US was in high school.

There you took Spanish or French or Latin for a few years and guess what? The only things you still remember how to say are "where's the bathroom?" and "how much does this cost?"

Freaking seriously, man. The school system in the States is broken. But that's another story.

This story is about how to learn a language quickly. The answer is: to speak.

That's right, speaking a language from the very beginning of your language learning journey as often as possible, is the key to becoming conversational in a language.

I mean is it really any wonder we didn't retain any of our high school languages? We sat there learning grammar and vocabulary and had no emotional connection whatsoever to the material.

Studies have demonstrated that the best and deepest learning occurs in the context of positive, intense emotions.

This is why a student who goes on a study abroad program for 6 months is almost fluent in their language once they return and why a 5th year student in the class is at half his level.

Our experiences give meaning to new information. Give it emotional oxygen which allow the knowledge to blossom.

One of the best ways to learn a language quickly is, indeed, to go abroad. It's scary, perhaps, exciting, to relocate to another country but shit...isn't that what life's about?

Your country is just ONE country in the world let me let Cat Stevens tell you something: "There's a million ways to be, you know that there are." You dig?

Nothing compares with the experience of living in another culture even if only for a little while.

The sheer novelty factor will help tattoo all of these experiences deep into your brain, along with much of the language.

You may even begin to view the world somewhat differently when you view it from another culture.

Another tip I have is - I'm serious - date somebody who speaks your target language. Think about some of the strongest feelings you've ever felt. They were usually with a significant other, right?

Well, that strong emotional bond will be an incentive and a catalyst to learn the language through your partner. Some people take a very proactive approach to this while others embarrassingly sit around with her friends and family, understanding little to nothing of what's being said.

Another of my favorite ways to learn a language quickly is to use a language learning course like Rocket languages - I used the Rocket German course to prepare for my trip to Munich and when I got there I was sailing!

The important thing is that you find some way to speak as much as possible. Skype is a great resource for this along with mixxer language exchange. Mixxer lets you sign up and the way it works is that you list any languages you speak and then any languages you're learning. It will pair you up with people who know your target language but are learning your native language. Then it gives you their Skype ID.

This way you can get right on the phone and practice. This is a little scary at first but eventually you get used to speaking with your new internet friends.

One Skype friend I met to practice Portuguese with is a young woman who lives in Brazil. We became such good practice partners and friends online that she told me that if I ever came to Brazil, she and her mom would be happy to host me!

This was a gracious and warm offer and I think I'll take her up on it soon.

Charlemagne is quoted as saying "If you speak a second language, you possess another soul."

Go out and grow another soul and live life deep.

Peace ya'll.