I know a bit of Spanish.  But not nearly enough to be proficient for when I move to Argentina in March.  I’ve been ramping up my exposure to Spanish (even trying to hone in on Argentinian Spanish).  It’s unbelievable the amount of ways to learn – reading, writing, auditory, and visually.  Here’s a few of my favorite ways to learn a new language.

1.  Craigslist

Who needs to pay for a tutor when you can find a local partner to speak with?  Whether it is someone who wants to learn your language or just wants to be nice, it’s really easy to find a partner, especially in larger cities.

2.  Language exchange program websites

If you can’t find a local language partner or want more exposure, you can try other websites that will match you with someone.  These are great if you’re trying to pick up an obscure dialect (like Argentinian Spanish) or want to speak with someone from a certain country.  I used Lenguajero and have already found two partners willing to email, chat, and Skype with me.  Which brings me to my next point…

3.  Use every mode of communication you have to learn!

On Gchat at work?  Chat with your partner.  Can’t get to a quiet place to Skype?  Emails improve your language skills drastically!  And of course, when you can, try to speak with your partner via Skype as much as possible.  The sites like Lenguajero even provide topics of the day so you can speak about certain things and widen your vocabulary.

4.  Read articles, news, and blogs in other languages

For me, I must force myself to do this more than the other ways to learn a language.  It just takes a lot more effort, concentration, and focus to read and try to comprehend.  But, if you can do this, more power to ya.  Reading comprehension will serve you well when you’re in some dire situations abroad I bet!  Right now, I’m digging BBC Mundo, and my friend Carlos Micheli’s blog.

5.  Tweet!

Tweet in another language or start following people who speak another language.  Social media is global, so it’s really easy to find people who are tweeting in non-English.  You might have to search for them a bit harder, but they’re out there.

6.  Listen to podcasts or audiobooks

This is one of my favorite ways to learn.  It’s especially good if you’re at work, on the train, or otherwise occupied where you can’t always be reading, etc.  Even if you don’t capture what they say, (or even 5% of what is said), what is important is that you are training your ear.  One of the biggest challenges in learning a language is getting your ear comfortable and used to hearing the foreign sounds.  This is a great way to improve if you can’t be actively speaking all the time.

7.  Change your settings on your phone and computer

This is stupid simple to do.  Just change your settings on your phone and computer.  A great way to pick up weird words like “file”, “reload”, “print preview” (wait, who prints stuff anymore?) and “system preferences”.  You take these things for granted until you’re in Asia and can’t find out where to print your boarding pass.  Oh wait.. those don’t need to be printed anymore.  Whatever.  You get my point.

8.  Download applications

I currently have Translator, iTranslate, and Spanish 24/7 (little flashcards and quizzes) on my iPhone.  I also have download a podcast called Coffee Break Spanish.  Great to listen to at work when I’m chugging away at Excel!  Just make sure you say things in your head, and not out loud.  Your co-workers WILL look at you weird if you say “hay un bano por aqui?” out loud.  However, side note on this: if you are in a position like me where speaking Spanish at work is not the status quo, you can still learn.  By saying it over in your head, this is still practice.  Much like the basketball players to visualize their perfect free throw with no practice, you can still learn and improve your speaking skills by visualizing saying the word correctly.  Doesn’t substitute for the real thing, but hey a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

What other quick and dirty tips and tricks do you have for learning a language?

Photo credit docman