Have you ever wondered why mere kids can learn how to sing complete songs even if they don't know how to read yet? This is something that I see just about everyday. The reason why is simple. Kids just like adults learn things that they really want to learn by having constant exposure to it. The same is true to learn a language.
Many say that traveling to a country where the people speak your targeted language is the absolute fastest way to learn a language. Well, it is true that you will get constant exposure all day long to a language by living in the country. You could probably learn a language at very excelerated rate because now you are forced to learn a language versus sticking to a schedule or sticking to a specific schedule.
But is it really practical to travel to a country to learn a language? Is it really the fastest way to learn a language? It is the fastest way in my opinion, however, not the most practical way. Why? Well, for the obvious. Most people can't afford to get up and go to a country for an unlimited or undetermined amount of time with this goal in mind. Unless you are already rich and have no need to come back to a job or simply don't have enough funds saved up, then this option to travel might not be the best route to go.
Although highly effective, and probably the absolute fastest way to learn a language, this step will involve for most lots of planification and determination to realized this goal. It makes me think of a nurse who wanted to learn Spanish to better assist Spanish-speaking clients here in the states. She traveled to Mexico with the goal of staying for 8 weeks. Now keep in mind that she did have some limited study of the language prior to moving to Mexico. After her trip, she returned with a far greater knowledge of the Spanish language and spoke it very fluently. Now this experience I must say it not typical. This is not to guarantee nor suggest to readers that traveling to a country for "8 weeks" or for any specific time in mind will make you fluent or more proficient in that language. The key with any goal in mind is to really apply yourself constantly.
As mentioned before, it's impressive that little kids can learn and memorize complete songs in short spands of time with constant exposure and repetition of lyrics. The same can be said with the goal of learning a language. Whether you would like to travel to a country or not to learn a language, you simply have to apply yourself.
I have always wondered about this. Thanks for covering it.
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