Anyone who has tried to learn a foreign language can attest that it's not easy.
Even people who are "naturally" talented at learning languages find that it takes a
lot of hard work and dedication to become fluent in a foreign tongue.
The bad news? There are specific barriers to becoming a fluent speaker of
foreign languages. The good news is that you can take steps to overcome these
barriers once you are aware of them.
This article will discuss why it's essential to become fluent when learning a
foreign language, some of the main barriers to fluency, and how to overcome
them.
The Importance Of Becoming A Fluent Speaker In Foreign
Languages
There are many reasons why becoming a fluent speaker of foreign languages is
essential.
First, fluency allows you to communicate effectively with native speakers. This is
important for both personal and professional purposes. If you can't communicate
effectively, you will have difficulty making friends, travelling, or doing business in
a foreign country.
The second reason is that fluency allows you to fully understand and appreciate
a foreign country's culture. If you can't speak the language, you will only be able
to see the surface of the culture. You won't be able to participate in the more
subtle aspects of daily life or have in-depth conversations with people about their
culture and experiences.
The third reason is that fluency demonstrates commitment. If you can speak a
foreign language fluently, it shows that you are willing to spend time and effort
learning something new. This is an attractive quality in both personal and
professional relationships.
The Top Barriers Right Now And How To Overcome Them
Some of the top barriers that stop students from choosing languages in high
school are the same barriers that make it difficult to become fluent speakers
later in life.
For example, timetable restrictions, a lack of exposure to the language and a lack
of motivation are all significant barriers to becoming fluent in a foreign language.
The good news is that, with the right approach, these barriers can easily be
overcome.
Here are some tips for overcoming the top barriers to becoming a fluent speaker
of foreign languages:
1) Make Time For Exposure To The Language
To become fluent in a foreign language, you must be exposed to it regularly. This
cannot be easy if you don't have much time, but there are ways to work around it.
One way to do this is to find online resources that you can use to learn the
language in bite-sized chunks. For example, you can use a platform like VBuddies
to meet new people who speak the language you want to learn at a time that
works for you.
2) Be Willing To Make Mistakes
One of the best ways to boost your confidence is to be okay with making
mistakes. This may seem counter-intuitive, but it's one of the best ways to learn.
If you're afraid of making mistakes, you'll be less likely to try new things and
never improve your fluency. If you're willing to make mistakes, you'll learn much
more quickly.
3) Find A Language Partner
A language partner is someone who speaks the language you want to learn and
is willing to help you practise. This can be a friend, family member, or even
someone you meet online. A language exchange with the right partner can pay
off immensely whether you’re learning French, Spanish, English, or any other
language.
Having a language partner is one of the best ways to overcome the top barriers
to becoming a fluent speaker of foreign languages. This is because it provides
regular exposure to the language, gives you someone to practise with, and helps
you to stay motivated.
Conclusion
The right language partner can empower you to build confidence and practise
your new language while improving your fluency. VBuddies is an online platform
that helps you connect with native speakers of the language you want to learn, so
you can get the practice and exposure you need to reach your goals.
Knowing how and why VBuddies differs from other online solutions can help you
immensely in your language-learning journey.