Learn a Language for Free
How would you like to spend your money in order to learn a language? Books? Courses? Or would you like to learn a language for free? How about not paying for the language, but paying for a plane ticket and rent in the country of the language you want to learn?
How NOT to Learn a Language
My wife and I spent two months each in a classroom in a foreign country taking an official language course. She went first, while I stayed home and cooked the meals and changed the diapers on our second son. She came home frustrated and disgruntled. I wanted to chalk it up to culture shock on her part until I took the same class after she finished hers.
Thirty people from various countries took the class. Nobody except the teacher spoke the target language. During the breaks we heard Arabic, Russian, Japanese and a variety of African languages, but not the target language. The classes lasted all day, so we had no time for using the language outside of class. This wasn't how to learn a language for free. And those two courses cost a lot of money.
We came away with a notebook filled with over 2,000 words, but we could barely speak 300. After those courses we moved to our target country (Austria) and realized that we had just wasted four months and a lot of money. I enrolled at the local German-speaking university after taking and passed a super simple entry-level language class. The instructor informed me that I would probably take classes for two semesters before I would begin to understand the professors. Which meant that I would be flunking all my classes for those two semesters. I flunked all my classes for two semesters. I passed a class during my third semester. I received a D grade. The instructor praised me for not giving up. What did I do when I wasn't attending classes? I began asking our neighbors, fellow students and shopkeepers for help. I begged them to correct anything I said wrong and to teach me any vocabulary they believed that I needed along the way.
It worked. I was fluent enough after two years to have a native ask me if I was from Norway.
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How did my wife learn the language? The same way. She set up her own study schedule at home, and then asked the neighbors to help her with everything from cooking and shopping to navigating the transportation in the city with two small children. I would meet people and invite them over for a meal, and those guests would begin helping her learn more words and pronunciation. One lady took a special interest in her and became her "personal tutor" whenever they spent time together.
It worked for her as well. Two years later a national asked her if she was from East Germany. That was one of the biggest complements she every received in language learning.
But more importantly, those people who helped us became lifetime friends. We developed successful cross-cultural relationship through language learning because we asked for their help. Eventually, Christine took courses with other Austrian women to learn how to sew the Austrian costume, and I began passing my classes with B's.
We stumbled onto this concept of learning the language through "bonding" with the nationals by reading E. Thomas Brewster's small booklet, "Language Learning Is Communication Is Ministry'"
This book is currently on amazon for $7.95 used. Its just a booklet, but, in my opinion, its worth the price. Why? Because learning a language is synonymous with relationship-building and transforming strangers into friends.
The Brewsters' philosophy highlights a key difference between merely studying a language and learning a language through relationships. By engaging in authentic interactions with native speakers, you're not just picking up words and grammar; you are forming meaningful, cross-cultural friendships that enrich both parties' lives, while you learn the language. And you learn to love the people.
When someone asks us the key to learning a language, we reply, "Admit your ignorance, ask for help, make as many mistakes as possible, and when the nationals laugh at your mistakes, laugh along with them." Adults have problems learning a language because they don't want to be laughed at. Babies don't have this problem. We laugh at their mistakes, but they keep on repeating what they hear. A lack of perseverance and adult pride hinders language learning more than any other obstacle.
Imagine stepping into a local market in a foreign country. You hear the vibrant chatter around you. Instead of isolating yourself with a language app, you decide to humbly ask the fruit vendor for help practicing the language. The vendor appreciates your humility and effort, leading to a warm conversation and the start of a budding relationship. And he won't mind that you are using the app at the same time.
"Excuse me, could you help me practice my language skills?" you might say with a smile. The vendor responds, pleasantly surprised, "Of course! I'd be happy to help. Where are you from?" This simple exchange is a powerful first step in pioneering cross-cultural connections. And you end up buying something. He now wants you back for two reason. As a customer and a potential foreign friend whom he can help with the language.
And shopkeepers provide a wealth of information about the culture. Arriving at a coffee shop while most people are still in their offices, allows you to strike up a conversation with someone behind the counter, ask them to correct your language attempts, and ask them about their country, their city, their business, and eventually about their lives.
I love these guys; I've been using them to learn Italian:
We build lasting relationship when we show genuine interest in the people who are helping us. We eventually become a part of the community, not just a tourist or a customer.
"Hi, I’m learning your language and would love your input. Would you mind correcting me when I make mistakes?" Before the person can reply, continue with, "And I promise to laugh with you at my mistakes. And since I'm just beginning to learn the language, I hope you enjoy laughing a lot."
Perseverance
Language learning requires a long haul approach.
One day I wanted to quit. I wanted to stay home and read some English. Christine replied, "Remember the deal we made. You will go into town, meet new people and ask them to help you with language. Then you will invite them over for a meal. I will learn the language by asking them to help me with language before, during and after the meal."
She opened the door and handed me my coat.
Set Goals
Celebrate!
When the nationals praise you, accept it as evidence that you are making progress, or that they at least like you. Either way, you're moving forward.
I was going through a check-out line in a food store in Italy. While in line I had spoken a couple of sentences in Italian to my wife, who moved in front of me. As I paid with a credit card, I made the comment to the lady sitting behind the counter, "I hope my Italian is good enough to read this machine correctly." She replied in a whisper, "Your Italian is quite good, actually." I smiled and thanked her profusely, in Italian.
Before we arrived in Austria, I had read and studied Austrian history in English. As my language ability grew, I engaged in conversations about the history and culture in German. Our new friends commented on how enjoyable it was to meet a foreigner who had studied their country and could converse in German. One friend began buying me German literature written by famous German authors. Then he quizzed me on what I had read. That's called friendship.
A couple of times a Austrian asked me if I could help him with English. I replied, "I would love to, but right now I need to learn German more than you need English. Could we postpone the English lessons until later." They smiled and replied, "You really are serious about German, aren't you?" They seemed pleased that we wanted to learn German so much.
Twenty-six years after leaving Austria, an Austrian family visited us in the USA. Christine and I had been friends with their parents, who had helped us learn German. We had met this couple when they were still children. We didn't remember them much. We spent the entire afternoon speaking German.
After an excellent Austrian meal, the husband made the comment, "Your German sounds like you've never left Austria."
Christine laughed and said, "Well, your parents taught us well!"
About Floyd & Christine
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