How to Pick Up a Foreign Language Naturally Without Difficulties

When studying a foreign language, it's natural to run into bouts of frustration. Even with the most dynamic language learning software, the difficulty of understanding the rules of grammar and memorizing the vocabulary does get to you at one time or another.

During these times, it might actually benefit you to take a short break from active studying and look for ways to pick up the language naturally. Instead of following a course, just begin immersing yourself into it more. Try these activities on for size:

Converse in it every chance you get. Try to get into as much conversations using the vernacular as you can. If you don't come across a lot of folks who speak the language, intentionally seek them out. Find a local community of people who speak it (if you're practicing Hindu, for instance, find a local Indian community) and patronize their businesses (restaurants, groceries, etc), practicing your skills whenever you come in. Most will appreciate your learning efforts and help you out.

Watch movies and TV shows in that language. Instead of watching another cat video on YouTube, why not spend the afternoon watching entertainment clips in the vernacular you're trying to learn? You might even chance upon something you like.

Immersion can feel a lot less like studying and more about enjoying yourself. Most of the time, it's got a social component that makes it even more interesting. As such, it usually feels less restricting and more open, possibly re-igniting your fire in learning the new language.

What's the hardest language to learn?

According to a report by the British Foreign Office, based on a study of British diplomats and embassy staff who have undegrone language training, students had the most difficult time with Hungarian, followed closely by Japanese. By no means does it imply they the most complicated languages in existence (although they are pretty daunting). For the most part, it's an indication that the British form of English is so far removed from those two that it requires a whole redefinition of their language map in order to achieve any form of proficiency.

Chinese speakers, for instance, will probably have an easier time with learning Japanese, since that language uses a number of Chinese characters in its own alphabet, along with sharing some similar constructs. Yet, it doesn't make Japanese the easiest language to learn in the world, either. Your native tongue's proximity to the language you want to study is well beyond your control. As such, there is no point focusing on a language's difficulty when it comes to its relationship with another.

Natural aptitude is often cited as a factor in language learning. While this may have some merit, aptitude also plays a huge part in learning computer science, the arts and pretty much every field of study. Like the relationship of your language to another, your inborn talents are not exactly under your command.

As with most fields of education, it's important to focus your language learning on factors that you actually have a hand in, such as the amount of practice you put in and the quality of the instruction that you get. So what's the hardest language to learn? It's whatever language that doesn't interest you enough to put in the effort. As long as you're willing to study a subject, after all (whether you do it in a classroom or on your own with a language software), and give it the attention it deserves, you'll eventually find success.

There is only one important factor in language learning and that is you.