You are almost ready. Or you have no choice. That is it, you need to start learning Lithuanian. Where should you start then?
I have been teaching three languages: English, French and Lithuanian for several years now. Lithuanian is my native tongue and yet, I must admit it is the most challenging to teach. I have been lucky to be able to compare how different language systems work and what structure is the most effective in both learning and teaching. Let me briefly share the 5 steps that are essential in language learning. You may look at the 5 steps as the main "sightseeing objects" on the map of language learning. Step 1: Define Your Motivations
Every learner has different motivations. That is why It is crucial to craft your learning process around your needs. If you want to speak some Lithuanian for a trip, then you should concentrate first on the essential phrases. Actually, that is where I recommend you to start. Phrases provide you full sentences which is rather helpful when you face Lithuanian where every word may and will change its ending depending on the number of objects, grammatical person, etc.
Alternatively, if you’re about to meet your Lithuanian girlfriend’s family, you should work on introducing yourself and mastering pleasantries. So here again you want to learn the phrases that are yet focused on family vocabulary. You can also head directly for a couple of lessons on getting to know relatives (contact the tutor for the online resources and/or one-to-one lessons).
2. Establish Your Learning Strategy
There are thousands of words in every language, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Here is a simple rule: Beginners should start with the basics. How can you say “Hello” in Lithuanian? What are the most common verbs? How can you describe things and people? So here are the simple items which might sound a bit boring.
By the way, learning Lithuanian will require some nerdy skills. Lithuanian language is one of those rare languages where vocabulary is not enough. You might learn words but you will also have to realize the basics of Lithuanian grammar. What if you do not? You risk not being able to understand what people are saying (and why on Earth the words are changing their endings all the time)!
3. Make Learning A Habit or Have Someone Who Helps You Do This
In contrast to traditional classroom learning, learning a language on your own or with an innovative tutor is a dizzying amount of freedom. This freedom can be a real blessing if you are a nontraditional learner, but it can also lead to laziness. That is why it is important to immerse yourself into the language whenever possible and make it a habit. How good are you at keeping to the schedules, managing your daily activities and establishing new habits? The answer should be honest as it definitely reveals whether the process of learning on your own will be effective or not. Regular online classes with a tutor can serve as a gentle reminder so you feel motivated to learn every day.
4. Actually Review What You Have Learned
Reviewing what you have learned can feel like a real chore when compared to learning new things. However, if you actually want to learn a language, rather than just memorize some fancy sentences, you will need to review what you have done. Having a tutor that observes your progress and challenges you will ensure you come back to the material you have learned and not be bored. Online vocabulary tasks that you practice on your own, speaking tasks to activate the grammar structures you have been introduced to, reading and listening tasks related to the material will enable you to actually use the language again and again from different perspectives. That way, you spend energy and time on the things that you really need to work on and nothing is left undone.
5. Have Some Fun
That is something you should never forget about. If learning is boring, you will eventually quit without desired results. One of the ways to do that is to incorporate resources and social media into your learning. Now when it comes to Lithuanian, that is not an easy thing to do. Not to brag but — because the author is also a dedicated language geek, she does a decent job at churning out content that keeps learners entertained on their language-learning journeys. She is the author of all the teaching material you get (contact the tutor to get a sample of learning material). Since she has been learning several foreign languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian), she has been there as well. Chances are she might know what works in order to start speaking a language.
To sum up, there are five pillars you want to bear in mind when learning a language: defining personal reasons and needs, coining the strategy, establishing the habit of learning, getting back to what has been learned, and enjoying the learning process. If that sounds somewhat mission impossible to you, find your personal tutor, a person who has expertise in the field and is passionate about learning.
Contact the tutor: tutorneringa@gmail.com and find the best option to start learning Your way!
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