A second language is never easy to learn. It requires a lot of time and opportunities to practice. However, a motivated learner will be able to find efficient tools in order to accelerate his/her progress. First, a good language course can give a good base and enable the student to practice by himself. It is also necessary to find good tools for understanding the language as well as for expression.
First of all, in order to acquire the basics of a language, a formal course can be an interesting tool. This is where the student gets to learn a minimum amount of vocabulary and simple sentences. A good teacher will encourage participation of its group with motivating activities. For example, having a meal in class would make the students talk and learn about food and would help them to know each other at the same time. This is very important for them to get confident in the classroom and eliminate barriers in communication. Once this confidence is acquired, it is all up to the learner to find new ways for improvement.
After having taken a class, it is important to continue to practice even if not actively involved in a learning process like a course. Written and oral comprehension are accessible tools a learner can find to continue to progress. For example, a student can see what s/he has learned while reading and also take the time to understand and consolidate the concepts already seen in class. Books and magazines in the learner's fields of interests are the best way to keep motivated while studying, witch is very important because it is a long process. It is the same thing with music and television programs that have to be chosen by the student so it is easier for him/her to stay focused while listening to it. These are all interesting tools that help to learn as well as to keep motivated in doing so.
Finally, immersion can be a very rewarding experience. There are a few types of immersion available for students.
