Why learning a language from a native speaker is so effective
- Posted by
- Michael Stein
- 1 Aug 2019
Whether it’s the French, Spanish or German language, learning from a native speaker can fast track a student’s language ability. Native speakers make excellent teachers for a number of reasons which is why many of our study abroad students opt for homestay accommodation.
Here’s a summary of why it helps to learn a language through speaking with a native speaker.
- You will learn the language authentically
Practicing a language with a native speaker exposes you to idioms, dialects and slang that are unlikely to be taught in a classroom. It also helps with pronunciation and accent. Learning a language through speaking it with native speakers is a way of learning without knowing it. Speaking around the dinner table, listening to families discuss their day and even watching local TV helps a student learn a language quicker than if they just learnt it in the classroom.
- It makes learning a language fun
As mentioned, when you speak the language you are learning with a native speaker, you are learning in a fun and relaxed way without the formal setting. When you are at a restaurant, in a shop, chatting with your new friends, you are constantly learning from the local people around you. It can be fun learning new sayings, slang and even songs.
- You learn from making mistakes
When on a study abroad course, our students are encouraged to be brave and attempt to speak the language as often as possible, especially to native speakers they encounter when out and about in their free time and on excursions. Plenty of mistakes will be made and sometimes you will struggle to get your point across, but that’s ok because you will learn from your mistakes. You’ll usually find that the local people you speak with are happy to correct you and help you improve.
- You will develop an understanding of culture and language
Language is a verbal expression of culture. Getting a good understanding of a country’s culture, by getting to know the local people, helps with accuracy and fluency of the new language.
In summary, when on a study abroad course, students that make the effort to interact and even stay with native speakers tend to learn the language faster than those that rely solely on the classroom. Whether it’s by staying in homestay accommodation, making the effort to socialise with local students or by simply chatting to the local shop keeper – these are all ways to help ensure you get the most out of your study abroad course.
Click here for details of all our study abroad courses in France, Germany and Spain.