Learning a language for some is easy, and yet for others it is close to impossible. However, much about learning a language is in the mind, and we must remember our brain is a powerful thing. The best way to get to grips with learning a language fast, is to have a general idea of how your subconscious works and how we learn in different ways. Becoming socially interactive through language also grows the learning experience. Confidence grows, but the immersion in conversation prepares the mind to both listen and speak in a natural, if somewhat daunting situation.
Social Learning - Children are the best example of how the subconscious mind helps learn a language. Kids who grow up in households, or just countries where more than one language is spoken, become bi or multi-lingual very fast. They are absorbed in the language through the constant repetition of words, phrases and even mannerisms, allowing the brain and mind to soak up the language while almost resting. There is no forced “you will learn this” when it comes to kids and this means the child is confident in learning, if indeed picking up is actually learning, the language and feels confident speaking it.
The mind plays tricks on us all the time, and for many, overcoming the fear of speaking a language is one of the greatest challenges. However, the childlike approach to using the mind, especially a more subconscious mind using repetition is one of the best language learning techniques. Once one has learned to relax the mind and one has accepted it is not a race to learn the language fast you will become more receptive. Being more receptive means you will learn, it may even learn faster as your confidence grows.
The mind plays tricks on us all the time, and for many, overcoming the fear of speaking a language is one of the greatest challenges. However, the childlike approach to using the mind, especially a more subconscious mind using repetition is one of the best language learning techniques. Once one has learned to relax the mind and one has accepted it is not a race to learn the language fast you will become more receptive. Being more receptive means you will learn, it may even learn faster as your confidence grows.
Rules and Process - Many people talk about mind maps when it comes to learning a language. Bringing to together lexicon and syntax is in many ways what learning a language is. It is a little like a jigsaw puzzle and once one learns what goes with which things fall into place. This way of learning is less subconscious and more structured and logical. It basically creates a map for a language learner to follow. It does work and is very much a more deliberate way of teaching the mind to work, or think in a certain way.
Bringing it together - Our human brains and our minds are more than capable of learning another language or multiple languages. There is no one who cannot learn, some just find it more difficult than others, especially those who feel pressured into speaking or using a language. Of course, there are now many shortcuts to learning a language, or at least convincing others you can at least write the language. Nevertheless, in reality nothing beats the reality of learning a language for yourself.
Language stimulates the brain, and the challenge in applying the mind should be embraced. For many, a combination of understanding, applying and using rules along with the social use of language will be how they eventually learn. The mind is a very powerful tool and in a nutshell it needs a combination of stimulation and relaxation to deliver the results you are looking for. When you understand how best your mind works, learning a language is merely a matter of time and perhaps placing mind over matter.
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