They learnt a foreign language successfully: what do they have in common? Tips on what to do and how to think to learn a language.

I started teaching English as a teenager to earn some pocket money; a few years later, I started teaching French to londoners, and these are observations made over the last 25 years. I have taught and met a lot of language learners over the years, and when I meet someone who is fluent in a language or see my students becoming fluent, I always see patterns, things that are recurrent.

So, what do they do? Is there some magical trick? Are you just born into one category? Or is it up to you? Keep reading.

What is the approach that makes you someone who becomes fluent in another language?

The approach they have:

1. They are not looking for a 6 weeks/months solution. They know and accept it takes years (or a life time) to learn another language properly.

2. They accept it because they enjoy learning the language and it is a new hobby, not a new obligation. See the difference: are you going to enjoy something you resent or are reluctant to do before even getting started?

3. They are excited about this new hobby in their life.

The things they do:

4. They plan activities in their life related to their learning, such as joining meetup groups, watching French films, organize a visit at the French Institute's library/cinema, go to Hyper Japan to be immersed in Japanese culture and meet Japanese people, maybe meet new friends.

5. They read magazines and papers in the target language.

6. They read about topics they are interested in in the language they are learning. It can be reading about sailing, travelling, gardening, cooking. Maybe they'll take cooking lessons in French or sing Italian songs obsessively.

7. They listen to the radio and watch TV/Youtube in the language.

8. They become obsessed with apps such as 'Duo Lingo' (https://www.duolingo.com/), 'French radio', 'French test' etc.

9. They organise trips to places where the language is spoken. One doesn't have to go to France to practise French, nor do I have to go to Japan to practise Japanese. We can all do it from where we live by finding people/groups/Skype/concerts to hear, speak and discover the culture and practise the language.

10. They have no ego issues, meaning they are ok making mistakes and being corrected. They understand that making mistakes is the way to progress, not something to be ashamed about. 

11. They repeat after they have been corrected, to practise and get their mouth used to saying the right word/sentence. For the best results, repeat at least 2/3 times.

12. They spend a lot of time making flashcards, writing their notes neatly again, study their vocabulary, researching grammar points when they don't understand something. They understand one hour a week with their private teacher is not enough, and that they have the learning in their hands, not the teacher's.

13. They take responsability for their learning.

14. They are curious about the language and culture, and will find events, book readings, exhibitions, anything that will put them into contact with the language they are learning. My friends all know I don't need an excuse to go to the Japan Centre, Hyper Japan or conferences about Japan. I'm obsessed! It's good to be obsessed when you're learning a language or a culture. Be proud of your obsession.

15. Before they travel to the country, they get prepared. I advise my students to prepare a list of the most useful words and expressions they will/might need during their trip and write them on a piece of paper which will fit in their pocket. They will be carrying this at all times. It's all very well travelling with books and dictionaries, but we all know that we need these sentences immediately when we are lost or in a shop asking for something. That bit of paper is a great quick tool, I've experienced it myself in Japan and Greece recently, and would add some phrases during the trip.

16. They use their new vocabulary in their daily life talking to themselves or their family/partner.

17. Talking to oneself to the language you're learning is something I recommend (who cares if the others think you're crazy?). During the day, ask yourself: how would I say this? For example, it's 12.30 and you're hungry. How would you say this French? J'ai faim. You arrive at work and your client is late, he hasn't contacted you. you wonder if he is on his way. What would this be in French: Je viens d'arriver au travail. Mon client est en retard et il ne m'a pas prévenu(e). Est-ce qu'il va venir?

I have used examples with French, Italian, Japanese as these are the languages I teach or learn, but the tips are applicable to other languages.

What is your own experience? What has worked for you? What did I forget?

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