Tools you need to learn a new language
To learn a language, you need several tools to be effective:
An MP3 player (an iPod for example): The player you will use to listen to radio programs in the target language all day long. You will also use it for audio CDs (Pimsleur is a good one) that you can convert into MP3 and add it to your player.
The Flashcards: These flashcards are the perfect tool for learning vocabulary. You are going to carry them around with you and enjoy every moment of waiting to review your vocabulary.
A grammar book (Berlitz is a good one): If possible, obtain the dual-language books which contain the original text clearly explained in the first page and its translation into your native language in the next page. You can then directly read the definition of the more obscure words without using a dictionary and read the translation of text to understand the context and infer the meaning of certain complex expressions in your target language.
A list of radio shows: With the Internet you are downloading podcasts in the target language, you must establish a list of radio broadcasts that you can listen to every week.
Journal and newspaper articles: You can either take an entire newspaper with you or make cut-outs. The aim is to enjoy those moments lost in the day to read the cut-outs and highlight obscure words.
Dictionary: A dictionary with many examples of sentences for each word will be your best companion.
Language courses (audio): Choosing a language course that’s high quality will help you quickly speak a new language. This is a very important and you must take your time to buy a method that has already proven itself.
Microphone: With a microphone, you will be able to hear yourself and correct your pronunciation. It is also useful for communicating online with native speakers who speak the language you want to learn.
Highlighter: The highlighter will serve to underline the words that you do not understand and structures that you find interesting.
Good luck!
