Those who have been following my time in Colombia are well aware that one of my main motivators for choosing Colombia was to practice my Spanish. For the last several months I’ve been taking Spanish lessons in Manhattan, struggling to break free of my shy attitude about real-live practice. However, due to a few glitches in my plan, most of my studying has been on my own.
While I pretty much have the English language down, many of the same principles can be applied to any foreign language.
The Best Way to Learn English
In my opinion, immersion is the best way to learn a language. However, I think that in order to grasp new concepts one needs to understand basic vocabulary and grammar structure. This can be done easily via in-person classes, online schools or even YouTube videos. I chose to sign up for actual classes because I knew that I needed to be forced to speak Spanish aloud rather than mumbling words to myself. Others are more prone to learning online so it definitely varies from person to person.
The Best place to learn English
While I have several friends who have learned to speak English in New York City, I recommend a more neutral location. New Yorkers speak fast and locals are either NYC natives or foreigners, meaning that the amount of English accents one hears on a daily basis might overwhelm. While it’s important to understand different accents, learning and understanding the most standard accent will most likely make the process easier. I recommend Washington, DC or perhaps scenic Colorado.
TV, Films, Music and Video games
I’m not huge into video games and I don’t own a television but I do think that these media outlets can greatly help a language learner grasp new vocabulary and concepts. For me, I have more difficulty understanding straight audio but if I can actually see a person’s mouth and even better, a theatrical way of expressing these words, this is extremely helpful. I’m also a big fan of foreign films with subtitles.
Infographic on how to learn english via kaplan blog.
Megan Eileen McDonough is writer, blogger and social media specialist based in New York City. She also runs Bohemian Trails, a lifestyle blog designed for the savvy and stylish traveler. Bohemian Trails aims to feature must-see places around the world, covering everything from revamped neighborhoods and vibrant street art to innovative tech hubs and everything in between. Her cultural escapades have taken her to Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Megan is also a freelance writer and social media specialist based in New York City. She contributes to various online and print publications in the travel and fashion industries and is an international correspondent for both Jetsetter and Northstar Travel Media.
