Fluent in 10 Days?

Fluent in a foreign language in ten days? It's a catchy idea, but can it really happen? Can you become a good tennis player in ten days? Or a great cook? You can't. Skill mastery takes time. So, if you want to learn a language, you have to find a way to make it part of your day.

First you need to get started. You can work at a language learning course, let's say German from a book, from CDs and DVD's, or from a German online course. Or you can faithfully go to a language school. Once you have a good foundation in your new language, you need to maintain momentum and build on your skills. Certainly, you can read books in the foreign language. But you also have to keep finding new ways to learn your new language. You have to keep challenging yourself.

Fortunately, with the wealth of technology available, there are many resources. The Internet opens a new gateway to foreign language text, audio, and video content. French online newspaper articles are as easy to find as Italian news videos and Spanish online soap operas. You can join a foreign language learning website. You can sign up to exchange conversations with someone who is trying to learn English. There are television programs in Spanish, Italian, French, Chinese, etc., on the various international channels in the US. The Language Learning Advisor provides an excellent list of resources. The bottom line is that if you want to become fluent, you have to engage with your new foreign language often and regularly. The key is “often and regularly.” You have to find ways to hear, read, write, and speak your new language. It's as simple or as complicated as that. But whatever you do to start or maintain your foreign language learning, you'll find it fun to play snappy and easy language games. And at any stage, fun and challenging games help maintain your motivation and momentum. They can help you become proficient.