vlog

language schools
It's no easy task to pick up a new language, but with the right guidance — it's more than possible. Source: AFP

It’s a universal fact that language started as a means to gossip. , , and we live and breathe it every day.

While that does pin humans as gossip gurus by nature, language has grown to become more than a device in vocal grooming. Language schools, online learning platforms, and language professors — they’re spreading the word because they understand the beauty of language most.

It’s not only a method to communicate, but an art form that exists in literature, poetry, song, and more. It’s the reason we can express the most grandiose of love declarations and the fiercest plights of anger.

Today, being fluent in more than one language is as practical a tool as it is an art. 

According to , knowing a second language boosts your salary and job prospects by 35%, as nine out of 10 employers seek employees who speak more than just English. It’s an essential skill when venturing into foreign markets; a key player in business development.

The stat makes sense — as the world becomes a more inclusive, globalised space, language is what bridges the gap between one person to another, and one culture to the next.

With that said, if you’re looking to pick up a new language but aren’t sure where to start, let us give you a brief run down and some options on where to start with language schools.

How to master a language quickly

Mastering a new language takes hours of study and practice, and it’s a process of trial and error until you finally reach a point of fluency.

It sounds taxing, but here’s a few proactive shortcuts you can take to familiarise yourself with a new language:

Consume media in the target language

It seems super obvious, but if you don’t live in a country where the language you’re learning is frequently spoken, consuming various media forms in that language is a simple yet effective tool to increase your grasp.

The legendary K-pop icon himself, , better known by his stage name RM, learned English through watching the hit 90s sitcom, “Friends.” It was a sensation amongst Korean parents, many of whom made their kids watch.

Kim started by watching the show with English subtitles before watching them without it — and that’s something that you can try too.

Rohadatul ‘Aisy Hamdaini, an Indonesian who earned her Test of Proficiency in Korean 6 — the highest possible level — in just four months, shared similar tips too. Hers, however, focused more on watching variety and reality shows instead of your dramas.

“I think variety shows are better than dramas because they use more casual language,” Hamdaini explains. “It will be a lot easier to pick up your listening skills, vocabulary, and understanding with that.”

Talk to people more

There’s a difference between learning a language on paper and speaking it aloud.

It’s well and good if you’ve memorised an entire assemblage of words in a particular language, but nothing’s going to smoothen your ability to form sentences more than proper conversation.

After all, language was forged in the act of socialisation. Surfing through Facebook groups dedicated to language exchange, as well as apps like and are great ways to get talking. If you know someone fluent in real life, challenge yourself to speak to them only in the intended language.

Make use of language apps like Duolingo

Language apps like Duolingo don’t necessarily feature the most conversational language practices out there. It is, however, an excellent way to build up a habit of using a certain language everyday with built-in features like tracking a user’s streak. Though it’s less immersive, it’s a good alternative to language schools if you’ve not got the time or budget to go.

If you’re out of phone space to download a new app, YouTube’s a go-to for many learners to self-study. Other apps like , , and are apps or Chrome extensions that you can implement into your daily web surfing to aid your learning.

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes

The fear of making mistakes holds many people back from leaping forward in any endeavour. That’s why it’s important that you give yourself the leeway to mess up, because it’s only then that you’ll take conscious steps towards growth.

It’s also important that you’re surrounded by people who encourage you to try again when you make a mistake, instead of berating you. As written on , “mistakes always reveal underlying language patterns and rules.”

language schools

Many countries have multiple languages on their street signs, making it easier to navigate for those who don’t speak the nation’s official language. Source: AFP

Why learn a language in a place where it isn’t widely spoken

It might be hard to imagine why people would want to learn a language that isn’t the official one used in the country — for example, picking up Japanese in a country that isn’t Japan.

While everyone’s reasons will differ, here are some common explanations as to why they’d choose to do so and why you can consider the same.

First off, there’s the logistics. Not everyone — especially international students who, more often than not, have limited financial resources — can afford to pack up their bags and go take a language course for a semester or two.

It is a privilege to do so, and not many share that advantage. This is why it’s easier and more convenient to go to language schools where you’re currently based to learn a skill. You might not have the same immersion as others who get to go abroad for their course, but you’ll remain ahead of those who don’t learn a language at all.

Second, moving abroad doesn’t mean you’ll immediately pick up the local language.

International best-selling author and nomadic polyglot , “I meet quite a lot of expats and others who are staying [abroad] for a few months like me and the sad truth is that the vast majority of them learn next to nothing in the local language.”

From sticking to the same English-speaking bubble or believing that they can get by with just using English, the excuses are aplenty. In times like this, it is simply more of a cost-save to spend your time learning the language where you can before taking it to the streets abroad to test your skills.

Then, there’s the simple fact that learning another language — wherever you are — helps you appreciate your mother tongue or any other languages you have under your belt more.

agree heartedly.

that they came to appreciate their first language, Slovene, more after picking up new languages. “I just didn’t think it sounded nice and didn’t like it at all,” they share. “After I started my English and German college course, something came over me and now I love Slovene. I think it’s beautiful and I love speaking it.”

5 top language schools to know the world better

language schools

According to , there are 7,164 languages used today. Source: AFP

SOAS vlog of London, England

The unique aspect of the (SOAS) — located in the cosmopolitan centre of Bloomsbury, London — is that they’re the only university in Europe which focuses on the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. They’re bringing minority voices to the forefront through research and scholarship, and breaking the Eurocentric worldview.

Aside from the , which hosts degree programmes that explore the depth of contemporary and traditional languages through history, the university has a . Students can enrol as beginners or advanced learners and take on group classes or personalised one-on-one learning.

National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilisations, Italy

A hallmark in language education since , Italy’s National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilisations (Inalco) is the world’s biggest provider of language courses, and the only public institution in higher education that spans such a range.

Here, they teach over 100 languages on their campus grounds across civilisations in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. 

The programme you choose to explore with Inalco is entirely dependent on your needs. They offer , , , and programmes, so whether you’re gunning for a professional certification or pursuing doctoral research — there will be a place for you to learn and succeed.

language schools

Fun fact: the US has no official language declared at the federal level. Source: AFP

Educa Language School, Russia

Located in the City of the White Nights — St. Petersburg, Russia — the has been delivering training courses in the Russian and Armenian languages to foreigners since . They’ve welcomed over from more than 60 countries, going as far as teaching them the Russian culture on top of the language, both spoken and written.

To immerse yourself into the day-to-day Russian lifestyle, Educa offers a which provides visa support and accommodation. You’ll learn to become one with the locals through a 12-week stay and study, and engage with group classes that’ll challenge you to speak, read, write, and listen from the very beginning in Russian.

Maximo Nivel, Latin America

If you’ve always taken to the beauty of Latin America and you’re dying to experience local culture, is here to provide that exact experience to you. They’re an accredited organisation providing opportunities for study abroad and educational travel across four local institutions in three Latin American countries — Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru.

There’s plenty of different programmes for you to choose from, whether that’s volunteering abroad and giving back to a community or diving head-first into an internship.

It’s not the most orthodox of language schools, but they do offer where you’ll be able to pick up the language through structured courses and activities beyond the classroom.

language schools

According to, it takes about 600 hours to master a language that’s similar to English, like French or Portugese. Source: AFP

Qalam wa Lawh, Morocco

With a history that’s at least 1,500 years of age, Arabic is one of the world’s most ancient languages, and its beauty is accentuated by the phonetic and melodic pronunciation.

It’s not an easy language to pick up, nor is it commonly offered by language schools. If you’re looking for an institution to get started — the best of the best — head to the .

Since 2007, over from around the world have congregated in Rabat, Morocco, every year for an immersive training to master the Arabic language. The teachers at Qalam undergo specialised training beforehand to ensure they’re in tip-top shape to deliver such language courses, across intensive programmes, study abroad, online sources, and customised and faculty-led programmes.