Today we live in the world of communication and networking, where the flow of human and financial capital crosses state borders. What does that mean for the individual? Increase opportunities and challenges – that’s the answer. Among the growing challenges, I would mention, first of all, the need for foreign language skills. Today to be successful, increase your employability and expand your cultural capital you have to speak several languages. That is the reality and it is essential. The next question is what is the fastest and most efficient way to acquire a new language? Follow me

I would say that there is no single way to learn a foreign language quickly and efficiently. Efficient language learning is a combination of several activities. First of all, you must be motivated: without motivation you cannot succeed in anything, especially in learning the language where regularity and repetition are essential. Second, you must have the necessary tools and sources for your language training. You have to decide whether you will join the language learning program or rely on the self-study materials. The third important component in language acquisition is passive learning: you use the means to immerse yourself in the language, to acquire the sound and tonality of the language you are learning.

However, you will not be successful in learning the language if you do not practice it. Keep in mind that practice should be done as often as possible. It is the case in which the more you put, the more you go out. The good news is that there are many possibilities to practice the language. You may find a local polyglot society that organizes regular language training meetings, maybe you have someone you know happy to speak to you in the language you want to learn. If none of this is the case, you still have a good chance to improve your language skills – there are many virtual language practice communities and some of them provide their services for free.

Before joining a virtual community, you need to decide which one is the best for you. There are language and pen pal communities that function within the multi-purpose model (e.g., they combine language practice with romantic aspirations) and communities that can be described as single-goal-oriented communities: they adhere solely to the language practice. These communities are geared towards people who have the goal of practicing the language and making the most of the time they spend online. In a single goal-oriented virtual language community, members are expected to have clearly professional goals and attitudes; There is no mix with dating aspirations that could be a troublesome aspect in some cases, especially if the age of the language student is under 18 years old. These virtual platforms welcome all people who wish to practice and improve their language skills in an easy and welcoming environment that, at the same time, is a safe and unambiguous environment. Many parents will find this feature particularly relevant when thinking about how to help their children practice the foreign language and open the door to the global world for them.