How much time do you actually devote to learning your
target language?
Do you just focus on the target language skills memorizing grammar and
vocabulary?
What you can do with the new
language should be your biggest motivator, so do strive to transform each day
into a creative language learning immersion experience, finding new and interesting
ways to practice your pronunciation skills. Here’s some ways.
1. Active listening.
The first step towards
figuring out how to pronounce something correctly is to hear it accurately. If
you don’t, you are at a constant disadvantage when attempting to speak the
language. Every language features diphthongs, vowel combinations, liaisons, and
so forth that create unfamiliar and frustrating sounds. If you can’t hear those
differences, then you’re stuck trying to memorize abstract facts. Thus to speak
a language well, it is extremely important to do some “active listening”
to train your ear to the sounds and the rhythms of the language. Pick out a
couple of TV shows to watch and listen to, or rent films. By watching movies
you will visually see their facial expressions, hand gestures, and body
language, that are all a part of active communication in a language. You will
also pick up how words are said, where the emphasis is placed on syllables, as
well as slang, idioms, and colloquial speech.
2. Read out loud.
Another way to improve your
language diction is to read out loud. Find an interesting book in your target
language and start reciting away. When you read someone else’s words you are
free to concentrate on style and inflection and not worry about relaying your
own thoughts or ideas. You don’t have to speak fast to sound fluent, you just
need to enunciate clearly and speak smoothly. As in all things, practice makes
perfect and the repetition of spoken sounds will be more effectively retained
in your long-term memory.
3. Talk to yourself.
Once you’re comfortable
just speaking out loud, you can move on from books to just speaking freely. Sometimes
the presence of others can make you self-conscious and seriously dampen your
desire to practice. But, there are places you can escape to where you can
unleash your inner language thespian. The car is one of these places. Somehow
traffic and stop lights don’t seem so annoying when you are working on your
pronunciation and responding to language exercises.
4. Record your voice.
To make a recording of
yourself speaking in the target language can be quite effective and
illuminating as you learn to self-correct your own speech reading from a book
or newspaper.
5. Work with a Language Coach.
One setback for language
learners is that when they speak, instead of sounding lyrical and lilting they
sound stilted and disjointed. By learning good breath control, proper posture,
and how to project from your diaphragm you will improve your vocal power and
feel more confident. To help with these things, I suggest that you work with a
private coach language. A private coach will also help with enunciation, word
emphasis, and phonic recognition.
6. Find a language partner on Skype
Learning a language is all
about making conversation. So go out there and find a language partner. It is
the best way you can break through inhibitions and start feeling comfortable
with speaking. Maybe your chat partners will become great friends.
7. Keep your “language radar” active
Wherever you go, your radar
should be always active and functioning. Whether you are at the park, watching
a soccer game, or shopping at the supermarket, stay tuned in and listening for
spoken the target language around you, ready to introduce yourself and have a
conversation. Keep your “language radar” up and running every day. It takes a
little bit of courage but the payoff is wonderful. You will make friends with
natives in your own town who are more than happy to speak to you in their own
language.
8. Join a meet up group.
There are meet up groups
that meet on weekly or monthly. Simply find a site and search for a location
nearest you. There’s a million ways to get the word out there. Once a group is
established, meet for discussions, movie nights all in the target language.
9. Host an exchange student programme.
If you’re serious about practicing the language, hosting an exchange
student is the way to go. You will have no excuse not to engage with a native
speaker on a daily basis, and you get the added benefit of helping him or her
improve in your native language as well. It is the most personalized, profound
way to practice your pronunciation.
10. Travel to the target country.
Travelling to the target
country is always a great way to get some practice in speaking the language.
But think of the rewards of travelling with someone who has connections to
locals and can get you off the beaten path. It’s on those adventures that
you’ll get some authentic face time with native speakers. You will be amazed
how much your pronunciation will improve when you are travelling with
like-minded language learners. Laughter, wine, and camaraderie are wonderful
catalysts for loosening up tongues, starting conversations and improving
fluency.
