1) Listen to as many podcasts and audiobooks as possible, first ones for learning your target language and then normal ones. Do this as much as possible -- the more the better. Listen to podcasts while you are doing other things like walking, driving, cooking, doing housework, etc
2) watch movies and shows in the language (so much content on Netflix!) -- first with subtitles in your native language, then with subtitles in your target language, then without subtitles.
3) Take advantage of all opportunities to put yourself in immersion. Change your cell phone's language to the target language. When you search for something online do it in your target language. Every little but helps.
4) Read as much as possible -- books, newspapers, online articles. Ereaders are great because they allow you to look up words you don't know very easily. A great trick is to read a book you have already read in your native language, which makes it easier to understand because you already know the story. You can also try children's books to start.
5) Find language exchange buddies on italki
6) If you can afford to, take classes with teachers or tutors on italki
1) escucha podcasts y audiolibros lo más posible. Al principio los para aprender el idioma y después los normales. Cuanto más, mejor. Hazlo mientras haz otras cosas como caminar, manejar, cocinar, hacer tareas domesticas, etc
2) escucha pelis y series en el idioma (muchísimo contenido en netflix!) — al principio con subtítulos en tu idioma nativo si las necesites, después con subtítulos en el idioma que estas aprendiendo, después sin ningún subtítulo
3) aprovecha de todas las oportunidades de ponerte en inmersión. Cambia el idioma de tu móvil. Cuando buscas algo en internet búscalo en el idioma. Todo ayuda.
4) Lee en el idioma — libros, noticias, etc, lo más posible. Con un lector de libros electrónicos es más fácil porque puedes buscar palabras desconocidas muy facilmente en el diccionario. Una buena estrategia es leer un libro que ya has leído en tu idioma nativa. Como ya conoces la historia, leer el libro en el idioma que aprendes te resultará más fácil. También puedes elegir libros para niños para empezar.
5) haz intercambios cuando tengas tiempo, cuanto más, mejor
6) si te lo puedes permitir, toma clases con profesores o tutores en italki
***
It seems to me the best tools for learning languages are the following. What do you think? Are there others?
1) Listen to as many podcasts and audiobooks as possible, first ones for learning your target language and then normal ones. Do this as much as possible -- the more the better. Listen to podcasts while you are doing other things like walking, driving, cooking, doing housework, etc
2) watch movies and shows in the language (so much content on Netflix!) -- first with subtitles in your native language, then with subtitles in your target language, then without subtitles.
3) Take advantage of all opportunities to put yourself in immersion. Change your cell phone's language to the target language. When you search for something online do it in your target language. Every little but helps.
4) Read as much as possible -- books, newspapers, online articles. Ereaders are great because they allow you to look up words you don't know very easily. A great trick is to read a book you have already read in your native language, which makes it easier to understand because you already know the story. You can also try children's books to start.
5) Find language exchange buddies on italki
6) If you can afford to, take classes with teachers or tutors on italki
