BBC Languages is a free and deep language-learning resource
Unless you are fortunate enough to be moving to another country with the same language you were brought up speaking, there will be some language barrier in place when relocated. As we’ve discussed here many times, two accepted facts of this situation are that speaking the local language will make a huge difference in your experience, and that learning a new language is a major challenge.
We’ve also discussed various ways of learning languages for free, including language-learning podcasts that seem to be getting more popular. I’m not sure how long it’s been around, but it turns out the BBC has an extensive and free language-learning section on their website, so at the very least it seems like something people should consider.
Learning language doesn’t happen automatically
Needless to say, some people have more talent at learning new languages than others do. As someone who might be average or perhaps below average at it, it can be frustrating to make attempts and not feel like I’m getting anywhere. It seems pretty clear that in order for most of us to learn a new language it takes organized effort to really break through.
Some people assume that they can learn a new language by simply watching TV programs in that language, but most experts agree that by itself this won’t work for most of us. Others assume that by moving to another country that they’ll just pick the language up automatically, though it seems that the vast majority of people can easily exist in an English-language bubble without learning anything more than the names of a few food items and other things on signs.
So, yes, you have to try, and you also have to be motivated. I’ve lived in quite a few different countries and only learned a few words there because I always told myself that I’m leaving soon so why bother? Even in cases where I didn’t leave soon, I picked up pretty much nothing. Everyone I know who has successfully gotten footing in a new language has done so after being motivated somehow.
Combining strategies for success
This BBC Languages resource appears to be one of the best free options out there, so I’d think that combining it with other things would be very useful. They have full language courses with audio and video for French, German, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Chinese, and Portuguese, and smaller sections for a variety of other languages. They all seem to include words and phrases meant for tourists and business travelers, but also sections for those looking for housing and such.
It’s pretty impressive because it combines elements in a similar way to the expensive computer packages. You get a photo or video showing what you are discussing and then have the option of hearing the foreign language and/or the translation and/or only hearing the audio. This way you can eventually associate the words with the objects themselves rather than with the English-language word. Most people seem to agree that you can’t really converse in a new language if you are literally translating the words back and forth as you go.
The 12-week language courses on the BBC site seem like a good place to start, and if people are truly motivated they can augment those with the language podcasts or even trying out watching TV shows or movies in that language as well. It seems that if you have English subtitles on screen it’s much easier to actually learn the other language, at least at first.
This is all very good news for those of us who want to try to learn a new language without committing to a US$500 set of DVDs or signing up for a weekly 1-hour course for a few hundred dollars. Those things might help some people commit to the task, but they also keep most of us from even trying.