Learning a language doesn’t have to be expensive. Here’s why!
Need to learn a new language for work or personal reasons? Find out why it doesn’t need to be as expensive as you may think.
Picture this: you’re moving abroad for work and you already have a solid grasp of the language; the love of your life you were lucky enough to meet on your soul-searching trip across Europe wants you to meet the family, and you’re more than ready to start conversing.
Maybe, since being a child, you’ve always planned on living in Paris, you’ve discovered how to learn French on your own without anything but your own resourcefulness, and you’ve nailed it before getting there.
You’re right. This isn’t the reality for most people. We all know this. If only things were that easy, right? Read a couple of books, watch a few TV shows, and at the click of a finger: we’re fluent in our chosen language for life.
If. Only.
You see, even those that study and really work hard on becoming bilingual will struggle unless they can apply what they learn. For example, getting a good grasp on German will only last so long in life unless you actually make frequent visits to Germany, right? And if you get the Deutsch down, how do you plan on turning your rigid, lesson-born speaking into the local lingo?
The truth is, as long as you keep that knowledging coming and continue learning, there’s no reason you can’t tick all the boxes before you integrate with the local speakers. Why? Because what used to be somewhat expensive is so much more accessible than ever.
Whatever language you have your heart set on, there are so many affordable options to choose from that being bilingual doesn’t have to be just a dream. In fact, it can cost you nothing or be done on a shoestring budget. Here’s How!
Learning from professionals is much cheaper (or free!)
The internet has made it possible to get everything at a lower price. Online retailers of any kind are up against such fierce competiton that costs need to be competitive.
Now, there’s no denying that teaching language is a sought-after skill, and people will pay top dollar for the best education. After all, this translates to learning the most in the least amount of time. And who wouldn’t want that?
But with nothing more than a rudimentary YouTube search and you’ll be met with a ton of resources that can give you the lessons you need for free. Plus, when you think about it, these content creators don’t want bad reviews or minimal traffic – they want the opposite! They want as much exposure as possible, so you can easily find a great teacher at zero cost.
The only downfall with this method is that it’s entirely self-reliant, and often, some of us perform better under pressure – take the consequences of what happens if we don’t turn up for lessons, for example.
Practise made simple
This point centers around the Internet, also. What doesn’t these days, anyway?
Okay, let’s say you’re already learning a language or have found some tools to get started with: the absolute range you have at your disposal with just a few clicks makes practise undeniably perfect.
People that have managed to become bilingual will most likely tell you that things like kids shows and the news are good places to put what you know to the test. At least kids shows. That’s because the language used in them is super simple. So, think about it. Without the web, would you ever be able to view such material? How much would accessing such content cost otherwise?
Part of the learning process is practise, and unless you have locals to test your knowledge on, you can test yourself through everyday TV from that country, starting with kids TV and working your way up.
Worldwide connectivity
Is it even worth saying at this point? Yes, this involves the internet too.
Here’s a hypothetical for ya. You’re an American who wants to live in Barcelona, or you’re already to set to move there for work in six months. You have no real experience with the language, you don’t know the city, and have zero experience with the culture. Do you think you’re the only person in that position? Absolutely not.
You could have the most obscure hobby and in 2021 be able to find an online community of people to share this passion with, through services like Reddit, Instagram, and TikTok.
Between all the above, YouTube videos and the opportunities to communicate that they bring, you can get a strong footing on the language and in as little time as possible.
Even if you’re learning Catalan on your own – got a grammar question? There are forums for that. Need to know the best way to learn Catalan and quick? There are forums for that. Want to know the best or most affordable areas to live? You guessed it. Forums. For. That.
You won’t be the first or the last to live this hypothetical, either. Find the right forum or Facebook group and you’ll quickly see that those who were you 12 months ago will be more than keen to offer their support – from language to living.
Each one teach one – be sure to share your experiences to those that come after you!
