Learning additional languages

We are privileged to live in a country where we have 11 official verbal languages as well as sign language. We also have schools that cater for foreign languages like Spanish and French in our country. At some point in our school career we all need to learn at least one additional language. Often one might end up getting schooled in a language that is not one’s home language and then, what is supposed to be one’s second language, is technically one’s third or fourth language. 

Learning a new language is extremely valuable and can be lots of fun. However, languages, especially those not very close to or similar to one’s home language could be difficult to learn, but it is possible. I would like to share some ideas on how one can make learning a second language easier and more fun.  
  • Listen to songs in the language you want to learn. Start with children’s songs if you want. 
  •  Read children’s books in the language you want to learn. Someone once said, think of the book(s) you enjoyed most when you were a kid and find a copy of that in the language you want to learn. Start with ‘baby-books’. Remember you have to build a whole new vocabulary from scratch. No one, not even you, can expect of you to start on the same level you currently are in your first language. Don’t go to the next level of books, until you understand the books of the level you are at without any problems. 
  • There are many apps available to learn languages. Not all of South Africa’s languages are currently available on all of them, but it is always worth a try as updates might include more languages. 
  • Write something in that language every day. Initially you might start with a word or one sentence a day, but as you progress. 
  • Spend at least 15 to 20 min a day on the language. 
  • If available, watch videos and TV shows in the language you are learning. 
  • Make friends with people who have the language you are learning as their first language. Try to communicate with them in their home language, and ask them to correct you if you make mistakes. 
  • If you come across new words, write them down as well as what they mean, and if possible make notes that you will understand on how to pronounce them. 
These ideas will complement the formal or informal lessons you are taking to learn the new language.

Feel free to visit Simplifying School to see how we can help you turn your frown of frustration into a smile of success.

Till next time, 
Stay safe

PS. I am moving all my blogs over to this platform. This blog was originally posted on 20 July 2020.


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