How to Become Fluent Fast in a Foreign Language

Learning a foreign language has never been easier with today's software and audio technology provided for home study. Choose your learning program, commit to a fixed time of daily study, and watch your foreign tongue run away with you. It's important to commit everyday, even if you only consent to 15 minutes, your skills will build with an exponential curve every week. But, in addition to the packaged learning experience, there are some powerful tools to expedite your new language with better comprehension and retention. I have attained rapid fluency in Arabic, Russian and German by employing these techniques, and regard them as a priceless addition to any foreign language study course.

1. Foreign Language Children's Books.
Once you have achieved a basic vocabulary, try purchasing a child's reader in your new language. Ebay is a consistent provider of many used foreign language books with a comprehension level for a five year old. You will be surprised at how quickly you pick up phrases and new words, especially if you have to look them up in a dictionary to progress with the text. Use the reader as a workbook, with notes and explanations in the margins to bring you to full comprehension of each paragraph. These child readers are generally cheap, costing under $10 .These books will serve as a launchpad for your reading skills, as you will become engaged in the story, like putting together a puzzle. In no time at all, you will be reading the story with accuracy and speed.

2. Foreign Language Music.
There's something about music that enables the brain to retain information. This technique is used from the time we are three years old when we sang the Alphabet Song to learn the symbols. The lyrical lilt of music connects the words and imprints an impression that is learned easily and naturally. Foreign language CDs are plentiful from Amazon.com in most genres of music. By singing along, you will be motivated to seek out the meaning of each word and retain it.

3. Foreign Language DVDs.
The importance of watching a film in another language is to engage you in the storyline which motivates your desire to understand. Whether or not subtitles are provided, you can watch and learn, while taking notes of the words and phrases you need to study. I like animated films the best, as the verbiage is scaled down to a child's level, offering you the opportunity to grasp quickly. Disney makes most of their films in foreign languages, and Ebay and Amazon are your best bet to buy one cheaply. Try a DVD of Beauty and the Beast in French, German, Italian, etc. If you know the story and the songs in English, you have a firm start when watching your foreign language version.

4. Foreign Language Publications.
Foreign printed magazines geared for young adults are plentiful with articles on everyday products and events. Try the German version Glamour magazine, discounted from Amazon.com, available with a single purchase or buy a subscription. The value to just one magazine will bring you up to speed on commonly written articles, providing your reading time with words and phrases that reflect modern colloquial verbiage. The magazine reading level may be a bump in the road at first, but you will quickly adjust. Newspapers are also an option, but they tend to use heightened vocabulary that can frustrate a new learner. Teen or children's magazines work the best for the first-year student.

5. Multi-lingual Internet Sites.
For a reading experience in a foreign language, try flipping from an American site you that know well in English to it's foreign version. One such option is Amazon.com. The links at the bottom of their page will take you to their international sites, where the layout is very similar to the English. For instance, if you are studying German, browse through Amazon's German site, looking for key phrases that you recognize such as "Los", or "search" in English. The site's product descriptions, method of payment, etc are the same as the English version, giving you a head start in comprehension. This is not only a fun way to absorb critical words, but it's practical application. You need not buy anything from the site, but browsing will help your reading and thinking skills.

6. The Seven New Words Per Day Rule.
Studies have shown that the brain can easily retain data grouped in bunches of seven. Before bed, make a list of seven new words you will be responsible for the next day. By keeping them in front of you, whether on a keychain, taped to the bathroom mirror, or propped up by your dinner plate, repeat them and use each in simple sentences until you have full grasp. This powerful vocabulary builder doesn't sound like much with only seven a day. But, if you do this 6 days a week, that equates to 42 new words a week, 168 words a month and 2016 words a year! Used in addition to your daily commitment of at least 15 minutes with your language learner program, you will be fluent with a vibrant vocabulary in 6 months or so .

7. Online Chat Rooms and YouTube In A Foreign Language.
The online chat room is a bold and daring way to step out in "public" using your newly acquired skills. Internet users do not need correct spelling or grammar, just the basic ideas typed. Dialog in these sites move with rapid-fire speed, so it's a good motivator to quickly attain reading and writing comprehension. Try Google and AOL for chat rooms in your chosen language. German and Spanish are plentiful as both share the English alphabet and can be typed on a North American keyboard. Another good online source is Youtube.com. This site displays many clips from around the world and will get your feet wet with listening and comprehension skills. Choosing comedy clips is helpful, as there may be corresponding physical movement to emphasize what they're saying. Also, being entertained is one of the best ways to draw yourself into the new language without the pressure of formal study time.

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