在學習第二語言的過程中，我們總會經歷種種挫折和苦惱。不過不用擔心，只要掌握了足夠的技巧，成為一個通曉雙語、說得像當地人一樣自信而流利的人，指日可待！
這裡，王老師為你準備了8個學習語言的實用技巧：
1. KNOW WHY YOU』RE DOING IT 知道自己為何而學
If you don’t have a good reason to learn a language, you are less likely to stay motivated over the long-run. No matter your reason, once you』ve decided on a language, it’s crucial to commit.
如果你沒有學習一門語言的好理由，你就更難保持一個長期的積極性。無論你的理由是什麼，一旦你決心學習一門語言，承諾至關重要。
2. FIND A PARTNER 結伴學習
If you can’t get a sibling to join you on your language adventure, having any kind of partner will push both of you to always try just a little bit harder and stay with it. You have someone with whom you can speak, and that’s the idea behind learning a language.
如果說你沒有兄弟姐妹和你一起學習語言，找一個學習夥伴可以使你們都更努力，並保持下去。有一個可以和你交流的人，這是學習一門語言的真諦。
3. KEEP IT RELEVANT 學以致用
If you make conversation a goal from the beginning, you are less likely to get lost in textbooks.You’re learning a language to be able to use it. The creative side is really being able to put the language that you’re learning into a more useful, general, everyday setting – be that through writing songs, generally wanting to speak to people, or using it when you go abroad.
如果從一開始就把交流設為目標的話，你大概就不會迷失在課本裡。你學習一門語言就是為了去使用它。有創造力地使用一門語言，可以讓你的學習變得更實用，更生活化——比如通過寫歌，與人交流或者出國時使用它來進行日常操練。
4. ACT LIKE A CHILD 像孩子一樣學習
The key to learning as quickly as a child may be to simply take on certain childlike attitudes: lack of self-consciousness, a desire to play in the language and willingness to make mistakes.
像孩子一樣學得飛快的關鍵，或許是採取孩子般的心態：不太在意自己，渴望在語言中遊戲以及樂於犯錯。
We learn by making mistakes. As kids, we are expected to make mistakes, but as adults mistakes become taboo. Think how an adult is more likely to say, 「I can’t」, rather than, 「I haven’t learned that yet」. When it comes to learning a language, admitting that you don’t know everything (and being okay with that) is the key to growth and freedom.
我們通過犯錯來學習。身為孩子，我們被期待犯錯，但是大人犯錯卻是禁忌。大人總會說「我不會」而不是「我還沒學會」。在學習語言的時候，承認你一無所知（並欣然接受），才會讓你成長和自由。
5. LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE 離開你的舒適區
Willingness to make mistakes means being ready to put yourself in potentially embarrassing situations. No matter how much you learn, you won’t ever speak a language without putting yourself out there: talk to strangers in the language, ask for directions, order food, try to tell a joke. The more often you do this, the bigger your comfort zone becomes and the more at ease you can be in new situations.
樂於犯錯意味著準備好將自己置於尷尬的境地。無論你學了多少，如果不離開舒適區，你永遠無法學會說一種語言：用新的語言向陌生人問路、點餐、講笑話。練習得越多，你的舒適區就越廣，你在新環境就越自如。
6. LISTEN 聆聽
You must learn to listen before you can speak. We’re able to pronounce anything, it’s just we’re not used to doing it. The best way to go about mastering that is actually to hear it constantly, to listen to it and to kind of visualize or imagine how that is supposed to be pronounced, because for every sound there is a specific part of the mouth or throat that we use in order to achieve that sound.
說之前必須學會聽。我們可以發任何音，只是還不習慣。掌握它們的最好方法就是時常聽，聽並想像它是怎樣發音的，因為每個聲音都需要使用嘴或喉嚨的特定部位來發出那個聲音。
7. WATCH PEOPLE TALK 觀察別人講話
Different languages make different demands on your tongue, lips and throat. Pronunciation is just as much physical as it is mental. One way is to really look at someone while they’re saying words that use that sound, and then to try to imitate that sound as much as possible. If you can’t watch and imitate a native-speaker in person, watching foreign-language films and TV is a good substitute.
不同語言對舌頭、嘴唇和喉嚨的需求不同。發音不僅需要大腦，也需要身體的配合。一種方法是別人說話的時候仔細觀察他，然後試著模仿那種聲音。如果你無法面對面觀察一位講母語的人，看外語電影或電視也是不錯的選擇。
8. DIVE IN 融入語言環境
So you』ve made the pledge. How to proceed? Is there a proper way to go about learning? We recommend the 360 maximalist approach: no matter which learning tools you use, it’s crucial to practice your new language every single day.
所以你做出了保證。那麼如何進行？有沒有學習的好方法？我們建議360度全方位接觸：無論你使用何種工具，一定要每天練習新語言。
對於這8個學好外語的實用技巧，你怎麼看？歡迎留言評論！
作者：王樹振
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