Before you start trying to speak a foreign language, spend some time listening to the sounds and rhythms. You can do this by listening to the language on the radio, TV at the movies or native speakers in your neighborhood. There are online radio stations in a wide variety of languages.

Relax and let the language flow

Do not force yourself to understand. Trying to translate every word you hear in your head will slow you down, discourage you and give you a headache. Relax and let the language flow. Eventually it will come to you as easily as your native language.

Understanding radio and TV

When you first try listening to your chosen language, you may understand just a little or nothing at all. But don’t be discouraged, see if you can hear the names of people and places and hear how they’re pronounced in your new language.

You may even find it difficult to believe that what you’re listening to is a real language that people are able to converse in. If you continue to listen to your new language as much as possible, you will gradually become familiar with the the sounds and rhythms of the language and start picking out words and phrases.

Eventually you’ll be able to understand most, or maybe all of what you hear in your new language. Here’s a few suggestions to help you understand radio and TV broadcasts:

1. Rather than just listening or watching at random, find out what programs are on and choose one that sounds interesting. In this way you will have an idea of what the program is about.

2. Set yourself goals, for example when listening to the news try to work out the main points, names, dates and times.

3. Brush up relevant vocabulary before tuning in. For example if you’re planning to watch a cooking program, look over a lesson about foods or cooking.

4. Even if you can’t understand very much at all, try to identify things like where commas or periods (full stops) are placed in the sentences, or listen for word separation.

5. If available, listen to the news in your native language first, then when you listen to it in your new language you’ll already be aware of the main stories.

6. Don’t try to listen to or watch too much in one go: if you’re finding it a struggle, take a break and/or do something else.

7. Rent movies with audio and subtitles in your new language and see what you can understand.

These tips were kindly given by our very own Hebrew blogger Sean Young. Thanks, Sean!

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