Tip One
Take every opportunity to use your language skills.
It sounds obvious but it's easier said than done, but once you've put your mind to it, easier than you think.
Case in point: it was recently my favourite day of the year in New Milton. The New Milton Christmas market, where every year, I get to speak French to the stall holders of the annual French market to the horror of my children. I'm resigned to the fact that setting a good example to them will often include embarrassing them!
Imagine my delight this year, when alongside the French market, there was a stall held by a Peruvian man and his lovely Spanish wife. A double whammy of language-speaking Christmas joy ... or mortification for the children - whichever way you want to look at it!
We had a lovely conversation about my time in Peru many years ago and a rather initially-confusing conversation about "Gales" and "ballenas" which tickled me when I worked out why he was asking me whether Gales was famous for its ballenas ... luckily, I cottoned on quickly and was able to explain that though they sound the same, there is an important H in the English word for ballenas (whales) which is missing from my home country, "Wales." He now knows that Wales is more famous for its dragons than its whales!
An easy way to add some language practice into your daily life is to turn your phone settings to be in French or Spanish which gives you a little dose of language every time you use your phone. Just be careful with the autocorrect when you are texting!
Tune in for more top tips soon...
If you enjoyed this, you might like to read my latest blog with tips how to use listening to improve your French and Spanish.
Comments