1. Bilingual dictionary. Yes, you can use Google Translate or any other online translation service to read a blog post or newspaper article. But if your goal is to learn another language, you will want to have a physical bilingual dictionary. In the course of your studies, you will doping pages and underlining definitions. You will lovingly turn each page like an explorer, discovering how your new language describes the world. Begin your journey by taking a trip to your local bookstore and browsing the foreign language section.
2. Phrase book. Well, you just bought a bilingual dictionary. Why do you need a phrase book? This is so you can start talking to native speakers right now. You want to select a phrasebook that provides you with transliterations (the alphabet equivalents in your native language for foreign words). Also, look for a phrase book that offers helpful expressions to help start a conversation, such as “Good morning. Are you from Romania? I’m learning Romanian!” I know this sounds obvious, but not all phrasebooks are designed for the survival speaker, especially for less common languages. You can use an app instead of a phrase book if you have a smartphone. The key is to have something that is the size of a pocket to easily carry with you. Which brings us to the next useful item.
3. Flashcards. Flashcards are the old and proven method of memorizing many words quickly. Flashcards are a great tool for language learning because you can put them in your pocket and take them out several times throughout the day to review. You can buy pre-made flashcards with the 1000 most common words in almost any language. Or you can make your flashcards by hand. Before you scoff at the idea of making thousands of flashcards, keep in mind that many language learners find the physical act of making the flashcard just as useful for remembering the word as it is for practicing with the flashcard. For those of you who are less inclined to physically write cards, take an hour to browse flash memory card programs and applications. There are many free and paid options. Consider spending a few bucks on a flash memory card app for your smartphone, a worthwhile investment.
4. Grammar exercise book. I realize this won’t make me popular, however, find a beginner’s grammar book for your new language. Use buyer reviews as a guide to choosing one that is “straightforward” or “self-explanatory.” If you find the grammar difficult to understand, that’s fine. Consider this book as your guide to exploring the different grammar topics in your new language. You can (and should) follow the lessons and explanations in the book with online material that you can find by searching the web. YouTube is a great complement to grammar explanations in workbooks.
5. Free language courses. This comes in many ways. Start by visiting your local library to see if they have an intensive beginner course on CD for your new language. Alternatively, visit the BBC, which offers language courses for beginners in 40 different languages. You can also search for introductory podcasts in the language of your choice. The key is to find auditory input to hear what the language actually sounds like.
That is all! You now have the five essential tools you need to start learning languages today!