My secrets to learning a language

Although there are innumerable ways to learn a language, I would like to share some of what has worked for me, and what can work for almost anybody. Even if someone doesn't even want to learn a language, they can at least get a solid foundation on the basics. I wasn't initially thrilled about learning Spanish, but I have found out that there is a lot of power in learning a new language.

1. Connect the language with your favorite hobbies

• Regardless of what your interests are, there is a way to connect them with a language. This works whether you like music, sports, literature, games, movies or cooking. Find a song you like in a different language and learn the lyrics. Watch or listen to sporting events in another language. Find a topic you enjoy and read about it in a book, newspaper or somewhere online. Watch movies in a foreign language with subtitles. There are countless possible activities. Just find a way to spark some desire and interest in the language.

2. Don't hold back from making mistakes

• Beginning to speak a new language can be nerve-racking sometimes, I absolutely know this. You don't want to mess up or look dumb, right? This took me a while to learn, but you have to make a deal with yourself that you're going to try a little more. Getting experience is vital, and if you're shy, then volunteering just a few times a week (as opposed to being called on) can make a big difference. After you make mistakes you'll vastly improve.

3. Adapt to the language

• Learning a language can be odd, and being good requires you to be accustomed to its differences in relation to your native tongue. It's going to feel and sound weird, and that's okay. I took Chinese for a few years and realized that I had to mentally make some sort of change in order to improve my speaking. So, don't just pronounce the new language in your normal accent, but don't over due anything either. This process takes getting used to, but once you cross that bridge and accustom yourself to speaking with a different accent, you're making good progress. Additionally, Practice thinking in the target language.

4. Don't just study hard, study more

• Be proactive. Did you know that you always have time in the day to study? I've learned that managing your day efficiently can allow you to do more. Several years ago I studied Spanish every day while walking to and from school. Whether it was recalling or studying vocab words, nearly every day I could find an extra half-hour that I could spend studying. Say what you will about it, but it's worked.

5. Be teachable

• Have a good attitude. When someone corrects you or gives a suggestion it can be easy to be upset that you got it wrong. Have a mindset that you will learn from other people's feedback.

6. Discover your strengths and weaknesses

• It's up to you to figure out what will work and what won't work when trying to learn a language. As you do, you will learn a lot about yourself. Perhaps you prefer to live abroad to learn a language, or perhaps you'd rather just cram for a test and forget about it afterwards. If the latter is the case, then you've probably learned that learning a language isn't for you.