How to get the basics under your belt? Time and effort. Put in the time to listen, pause, repeat and listen some more. If you don\u2019t understand something, go back and either redo a lesson, read a chapter over again or find another method (like a video<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0graded reader) to reinforce the rudimentary aspects of the new language.<\/p>\n By speaking, reading and listening, language construction will become moderately apparent. For example, word order, gender assignations and article placement can all be gleaned through basic study without particular attention to “grammar” per se.<\/p>\n At first, just make mental notes of how words appear in sentences. Try to pick up on general patterns, without consulting a grammar book for the specific rules that dictate them. You\u2019ll be surprised by how much you\u2019re learning, without busting your brain cells.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t try to learn a language without a good dictionary and conjugation resources. All are readily available online or for free in libraries so there\u2019s no excuse for not having what you need.<\/p>\n For example,\u00a0ECTACO<\/a>\u00a0is a free online multi-language dictionary that\u2019s very handy for a quick reference in any of more than two dozen languages!<\/p>\n If you\u2019re into e-books, which can be super convenient for language learners and eliminate the tedium of flipping through endless pages to find what you\u2019re looking for, check out the quality (and less expensive) grammar books and dictionaries available for a variety of languages on\u00a0VitalSource<\/a>. Their Bookshelf app is a convenient way to access and read any of your learning material whenever you need it.<\/p>\n You should always have your resources at hand! It\u2019s easy to find the answer to a question when everything is at your fingertips.<\/p>\n Use a\u00a0mobile translation app<\/a>\u00a0and you\u2019ll never wonder what something means or if you\u2019re using a phrase correctly.\u00a0Some of them can demystify\u00a0text, websites and conversations in over 100 languages.<\/p>\n Reading is a perfect way<\/a> to conquer grammar. It exposes us to grammar in its natural context. Seeing the rules used in black and white really puts the focus on what you\u2019ve already absorbed.<\/p>\n There are books in all genres and with something to appeal to every taste, available online and through libraries.<\/p>\n And yes, reading in a foreign language is difficult. But it’s easier when you read what you love. The key is to read what you would normally read in English.<\/p>\n For example, if you like cooking, you can read food magazines in your target language. A relaxed approach is best. So, open the umbrella, stretch out on the lawn chair, get the lemonade and read what you love with the breeze blowing around you.<\/p>\n That\u2019s right, videos are part of your grammar demystification kit.\u00a0<\/p>\n Hearing a language gives a learner the ability to catch the cadence and nuances of the spoken word. Also, hearing morphology and syntax in action definitely beats reading about it in a book!<\/p>\n Videos about verb conjugation and other grammar topics are also available on YouTube in many languages. It\u2019s well worth your time to check out what\u2019s available in your language, such as:<\/p>\n And it\u2019s a snap to locate similar resources for almost any other language, too.<\/p>\n Another way to learn grammar in a foreign language is by going to the movies!<\/p>\n Grab some popcorn and your beverage of choice, and sit in a movie theater for a couple of hours. Hearing a language spoken illustrates proper word placement. We learn by example!<\/p>\n It’s very important to practice as often as possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the car or at home alone? Speak aloud or sing.<\/p>\n Waiting in line at the grocery store? Whip out your phone, pull up a translation app and pop in a few words. Memorize them before it\u2019s your turn to check out.<\/p>\n Challenge yourself to recall the last lesson you worked on without referring back to it. Practice pulling the information from your mind. It\u2019s in there, you just have to work on getting it front and center.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no substitute for a good practice session. Use the language daily. Repetition simply drills the basic rules into our heads through usage.<\/p>\n Six 10-minute sessions of grammar practice are better than one hour straight through. We learn best in short segments<\/a>. And language is learned by frequent repetition.<\/p>\n Good language learners study in small, frequent intervals for optimal results. Many language learning platforms allow you to set goals for how long you learn per day or how much XP you earn, to help you stay on track.<\/p>\n The language learning program FluentU<\/a>, for instance, does this: It chunks learning into small portions for you. FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n2. Pay Attention to Word Order<\/h2>\n
3. Assemble Your Grammar Gear<\/h2>\n
4.\u00a0Keep Materials Handy<\/h2>\n
5. Read What You Enjoy\u00a0<\/h2>\n
6. Settle In and Watch Videos<\/h2>\n
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7. Fit Practice into Every Part of Your Day<\/h2>\n
8. Study in Short, Frequent Intervals<\/h2>\n
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