Hello Oneliver!

Learning a new language always excites me and I think many of you might feel the same as well! Yet, it’s not east to learn a language well by just reading text books. I believe that you may have watched some inspiring talks from TED and today we would like to share you the secrets from TED’s translators on how to learn a new language! (Because we are not an expert of it….)

1 – Get real.

Decide on a simple, attainable goal to start with so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. German translator Judith Matz suggests: “Pick up 50 words of a language and start using them on people — and then slowly start picking up grammar.”

2 – Play house with the language.

The more you invite a foreign language into your daily life, the more your brain will consider it something useful and worth caring about. “Use every opportunity to get exposed to the new language,” says Russian translator Olga Dmitrochenkova. Label every object in your house in this language, read kids’ books written in it, watch subtitled TED and TEDx talks, or live-narrate parts of your day to an imaginary foreign friend.

3 – Make new friends. (Thank god you can do it on OneLiver!)

Interacting in the new language is key — it will teach you to intuitively express your thoughts, instead of mentally translating each sentence before you say it. Find native speakers near you. Or search for foreign penpals or set up a language tandem online, where two volunteers help one another practice their respective languages.

4 – Do not worry about making mistakes.

One of the most common barriers to conversing in a new language is the fear of making mistakes. But native speakers are like doting parents: any attempt from you to communicate in their language is objective proof that you are a gifted genius. They’ll appreciate your effort and even help you. And be patient. The more you speak, the closer you’ll get to the elusive ideal of “native-like fluency.” And to talking to people your own age.

Source: How to learn a new language: 7 secrets from TED Translators

We have always encourage that performers should talk more with viewers because many of our performers are conducting long conversation in the long video call! (Sometimes they actually last more than 30 minutes!!) So learn good English (or some other languages) could actually help you earn more on this platform! Good luck! 😀