EASY (Levels A1/A2)

 

Learning a new language can be difficult but it is important to be patient and have fun.

To learn a language you must study but it is also necessary to understand why you really want to learn. Is learning English your hobby? Do you need English for work? Do you need English for your Master´s program at University? There are many reasons for everyone but if you understand your reasons, you can make a good plan to achieve your goals.

The best way to plan is to take one big goal and divide it into many smaller goals. The first step with language learning is always practice. Practice makes perfect  – la práctica hace el maestro. It is very important to speak, read, and write in English as often as possible. It is not enough just to study and do your homework. You must also practise in different situations. At Babylon Idiomas we have a library with books, magazines and DVDs and we also offer free conversation classes every Friday. Students who study, do their homework and practise a lot, learn faster.

There are also many bars and restaurants that have language exchange nights. At Babylon Idiomas we have a weekly event called “Happy Miércoles“ and a monthly night called “Happy Friday” which are great if you want to meet people from different countries and practise your English.

And don´t forget the internet! There are many good websites like  BBC Learning English, Apps like English Idiomas Illustrated or even videos on YouTube. There is a famous expression ‘nothing worth having was ever achieved without effort.’ For me, that means that nothing good is easy. Learning a new language is an amazing experience, but you need to work hard and make English a part of your life forever. Take it slowly and you will see results.

 

DIFFICULT (Levels B1/B2 + )

 

Learning a new language can be challenging. If we become intimidated by the size of the task, we will harm our progress. Instead, we must try to enjoy the journey, and focus on the small steps.

Learning a new language requires dedication. You need to know why you want to study and improve your English, and vague, flowery aims are not good enough. Try to be more concrete and specific, for example: ‘I want to improve my employment prospects, and I would like to travel and be able to communicate with other tourists and locals.’

The best way to achieve anything is to do it little-by-little . Even the largest, most daunting of tasks can be broken down into small sections, and each small section is far easier to complete.

Without practice, our skills weaken. It is vital to speak English, to listen to English, to read English and to write in English as often as possible. We should try to study, practise and listen to lots of English outside of the classroom. At Babylon Idiomas, we offer free Conversation Classes to our students, and it is clear that the students who attend these classes see an improvement in their spoken English.

There are many bars and restaurants that hold Language Exchange events too. At Babylon Idiomas we hold a weekly event  called “Happy Miércoles“ and a monthly “Happy Friday” which are great if you want to meet people from different countries andpractice your English. This is a fantastic way to improve language skills, whilst also offering us the chance to meet many interesting people from all over the world.

Also, we live in a world full of information. There are countless good websites and resources to use, many of them free – videos on YouTube or websites like the BBC, to name but two.

There is a famous quote by an anonymous writer. It says that ‘nothing worth having was ever achieved without effort.’ To me, that means that nothing good is easy. Learning a new language is an amazing experience, but one that takes dedication and hard-work. Take it step-by-step, slowly and smoothly, and you will see results.