Living in London: how to keep practising a language after your evening classes

What to do after you lessons to keep the language you are learning

While taking language courses is a great way to learn a new language, foreign language require practice and, most importantly, immersion. How can you practice your new language skills outside of your normal lessons? In this article we will take a look at some great ways you can get the practice you need to ensure that the hard work you put into your language classes does not go to waste.

  1. Pen pals offer a great way to practice your new language with a native speaker. Decades ago, pen pals would communicate through snail mail. New technology can let you communicate with a pen pal through video chat, text messages, or email! There are many communities online that allow you to search for a suitable pen pal and you can even narrow down your search to people with your same interests, age and background.
  2. Television and film are great ways to practice your foreign language. Getting a foreign DVD from your local library or school or searching online for videos in your desired language can get you the immersion you need. The great thing about this is that it is a lot of fun, even if you do not understand half of what the people in the film are saying because they will often speak rapidly and use a lot of slang. You can do this with friends and also help yourself with close captioning or subtitles. Watching foreign films and TV can attune your ear to the language you are trying to learn, an invaluable skill in learning any new language.

  3. In that vein, you can also get your news in other languages. The Internet gives computer users access to innumerable news agencies in dozens of languages. This content can often be accesses for free and can also help you familiarize yourself with a foreign culture and with a different take on international news. A good way to go about this is to read the news in your own language and then reading the same article in the language you are trying to learn. That will give you context and allow you to puzzle out the bits and pieces that you may not yet understand.

  4. Wherever you live in London, if you search you are likely to find native speakers in your local community. You can looking for exchange students in local schools or placing an ad looking for someone to practice your language skills with. Often, all it will take is a single person to put you in contact with many other native speakers of your desired language in your community.

Also remember that the Language class offers additional support to your learning, if you think you need additional help to get the fluency you need we can arrange private lessons in any of the following languages: Italian, French, German, Spanish and English. Of if you are in London only for a short period or you are travelling soon we can organise a private intensive course for you.