Feature photo by bigblonde Photo by ferdinandreus

Your language skills were pretty solid by the end of your study abroad trip a few years ago. You felt competent, and not just at the bar after a few drinks or at your favorite store, but reading the newspaper, watching television, and talking with friends, teachers, and other students.

Learning a foreign language gave you a great feeling of accomplishment. However, since returning home, your skills have become a bit rusty.

Here’s the good news: while language requires constant practice to maintain and improve competencies, much of it is retained in our memories even if we do no work at all.

If it has been years since you blew the dust off your Spanish-English dictionary, and your correspondences with Chinese friends have long ago slipped into English, then all you need is a little review and renewed confidence.

Follow these ten steps and you’ll get that hard-earned language back in three weeks.

Week One

Assess and Plan.

The first step is to discover, perhaps to re-discover, your weaknesses with the foreign language. At this point, do not try to pick up an intermediate level textbook and start doing grammar exercises and precise translations. Instead, start with introductory materials and skim through them quickly.

How much of the vocabulary do you remember on first glance? What about after a second glance? How much of each passage can you understand?

Doing this will give you a sense of what you need to focus on first. After you have gone through some material, make a plan for yourself. Decide how much review you want to do each day and what your final goals will be.

Listen to some music or watch a movie.

Often, simply hearing the language again will help trigger knowledge that has laid dormant. It is important to get your brain thinking in the foreign language again.

Music and movies are an excellent, effortless way to do this. At this point, it is not necessary to understand all, or even most of, the words you hear. Just sit back and relax. If you can watch a foreign dvd with English subtitles (or vice versa), you’ll soak it up even faster.

Photo by trishhhh

Listen to Language tapes.

Even during the first week you should do some studying. Personally, I have never had much luck with language tapes or podcasts as a tool for learning a new language from the beginning. However, I find them extremely useful for review.

Start with some easy lessons and listen to them whenever you can. You will be amazed how easy it all seems and your confidence will skyrocket.

Week Two

Review the basics.

After a week of gently re-familiarizing yourself with the language, it is time to do some more traditional studying.

Using the plan created in the first week, go back to your textbooks and study materials and review the points identified as weaknesses. Go back through those lessons and try some exercises.

It is not necessary to spend hours a day doing this. Even fifteen to thirty minutes a day will provide a significant refresher.

Make flashcards.

As you are studying, make some flashcards for review later. A classic tool for language students, flashcards should be used during any amount of free time, from the breakfast table to the morning commute, the grocery line to the exercise bike at the gym.

If you find a stack of cards in your old study materials, resist the urge to use them. Though tedious, making the cards yourself is an important part of their effectiveness as study tools.

Find a language partner.

Nothing makes a language more satisfying than being able to use it to communicate with someone else. Even if you are not confident in your ability at this point, it is important to begin trying to communicate as soon as possible.

Good places to look for language partners include any college or university, or online. Websites like Polyglot and xLingo can help you connect online with people interested in practicing almost any language with you.

Week Three

Translate a short song or dialog from a movie.

To help solidify your review thus far, try this simple exercise: take a passage from a favorite foreign language film or song and translate it into English.

Remember the goal of this is not so much to have an English version when you are finished, but a thorough understanding of the meaning of the original.

Try to pick out some favorite words or phrases from the song, then use them in the next meeting with your language partner.

Photo by moriza

Start translating newspaper or magazine articles.

This is also a good time to start reading more. Pick up a newspaper or magazine that looks interesting and start working through the articles.

At first, read quickly and try to absorb the basic meaning. After this is comfortable, focus on troublesome vocabulary and grammar, look it up, and make it your own.

At this stage, you might cross the line between review and learning new material. This is perfectly alright.

Write a letter, email, or story.

If you haven’t already, this is a great opportunity to rekindle some old correspondences. Send an email, letter, or story to someone you once communicated with in another language.

If it has been a long time since your last contact, mention your recent review as an icebreaker.

Have a timed conversation.

When you meet with your language partner this week, try to maintain a conversation for as long as possible. Set a time goal, based on the success of last week’s meeting, before you arrive.

This is an excellent exercise, but it can be incredibly stiff and awkward if you don’t prepare a bit in advance. Don’t write out a full dialog, but be sure to have a list, be it mental or written, of related topics that can help keep the conversation moving if you slow down.

If you have made it through three weeks of review, you are well on your way to not only reclaiming, but even improving, your previously long lost language.

At this point, you can perform another self assessment, pick some new things to focus on, and continue studying, using your favorite techniques.

The best idea, however, is to take a trip and test your language in a place where it’s the local tongue, or in an ethnic neighborhood of your hometown.

Community Connection!

Don’t have a language partner? Look for one in the matador community or by posting a message at the forum.

If you’re already traveling, check out 7 Tips for Learning a Language On the Road.

Finally, be sure to check out the author’s 8 Free Online Resources for Learning a New Language.

Photo by poagao, Feature photo by yakobusan

From the rapidly changing economic and political centers of Beijing and Shanghai, to indigenous cultures of the south, China has a wide variety of opportunities for study available. Whether you are interested in history, business, food, politics, or culture, there will be a place and a program for you.

University or Private School?

The first question you should ask yourself is whether you want to study at a Chinese university or through a private program. If learning Chinese is your primary concern, then studying at a Chinese university is probably the best option. Most major universities offer programs for foreign students of all ability levels. The focus on language these programs provide, as well as their total immersion, almost guarantees a huge improvement in your Chinese competency.

Private programs are generally a better option for those interested in more specific academic subjects. These programs tend to be comprised of only foreign students, but offer focused study of a specific topic like art, anthropology, economics, or business.

Often, language study is incorporated as well, but with less contact with Chinese students and shorter periods devoted to language, you may not see the same results in this area.

There are many different places to study abroad in China, and with so many options it can be hard to find the one that is best for you. Here are eight of the most popular places to study abroad, each with its own special characteristics and advantages.

Beijing

Beijing is the political and cultural heart of China. It is also the educational and administrative center of the country. This an important consideration for the study abroad student for two reasons. First, there are many universities offering programs for foreign students. From the very popular Beijing Language and Culture University to the internationally acclaimed Peking University, there is a school in Beijing that will fit your goals.

As the administrative capital of China, Beijing has the advantage of being home to the dialect that is officially the national standard. This means that the Beijing dialect is an internationally recognized standard that will transfer well to future applications in business and academics.

Shanghai

Shanghai is the financial center of China. Students interested in business and economics, or those who want to experience life in a vibrant cosmopolitan metropolis, will find what they are looking for with a program in Shanghai.

From museums to architecture, shopping to nightlife, a semester studying in Shanghai is easily as much about experiencing this exciting city as it is time in the classroom. Fudan University and the very central Shanghai Jiaotong University are popular options for foreign students.

photo by doctorow

Qingdao

Located on the coast of China between Beijing and Shanghai, the port city of Qingdao has the feeling of a relaxed beach side resort in the warmer months. The architecture of Qingdao is noticeably European, a holdover from the city’s days as a German colonial outpost, and is the home of the famous Qingdao Beer brewery.

Famous for its street food and quiet nightlife, Qingdao provides a great setting for a more relaxed semester abroad. A popular place for foreign students to study is Qingdao University.

Xi’an

Xi’an was an ancient capital of China and a major stopping point on the Silk Road and other Asian trade routes. For these reasons, those interested in ancient Chinese history could not pick a better place to study abroad.

In addition to the numerous archaeological and historical sites, Xi’an is a great jumping off point for explorations of central China and, in recent years, has developed a nightlife scene that has come to rival that of the coastal cities. If you are interested in studying in Xi’an, two great places to start your search are the Xi’an Jiatong University and the Xi’an International Studies University.

photo by phil_lai

Kunming

Yunnan province has the largest variety and population of minorities in all of China. In addition to this ethnic diversity, Yunnan offers a wide range of geography, from the high mountains of the Tibetan plateau to the low jungles reminiscent of the province’s Southeast Asian neighbors.

This makes Kunming, the capital of Yunnan and one of the most beautiful cities in China, an excellent place to study for any student interested in anthropology and minority culture. A good place to start looking for programs is the University of Yunnan. If you are interested in studying minority cultures, a great program is SIT’s semester in Yunnan Province.

Something Completely Different:

If you are interested in a more unique study abroad experiences in China, there are several places that can offer something completely different.

Hong Kong

One of the most vibrant cities in Asia and the world, Hong Kong offers a confluence of cultures, a thriving economy, and a night life that is unmatched in most of China. Whether you choose to study at the University of Hong Kong, the Asia-Pacific Institute of Business, or through some other school or program, Hong Kong will provide an exciting place to spend your time.

One thing to keep in mind is that, while Hong Kong has something for everyone, from shopping to hiking, the main language is Cantonese not the Mandarin spoken on the mainland. If you are interested in studying Mandarin Chinese, Hong Kong is not the best choice.

photo by mariaismawi

Xinjiang

Xinjiang is China’s large northwestern province, home to the sizable Uygher Muslim minority group. For many visitors, entering Xinjiang from coastal China is like crossing into another country. The architecture and people take on a more Central Asian appearance, mosques outnumber temples, and the musky smell of roasting lamb fills the streets.

Whether you decide to study in the provincial capital Urumqi at a major university like Xinjiang University, or through a program in a smaller city or town, studying abroad in Xinjiang provides an opportunity to study a variety of languages and a unique culture in a very different part of China.

Tibet

The high mountains and Buddhist culture of Tibet is nearly legendary. For the international student, a study abroad experience in Tibet can be like no other. It can also be a serious logistical challenge. If you decide that you want to study in Tibet, it is best to start planning well in advance.

There are several programs set up through partnerships between Chinese and American universities. Unlike other places in China it is advisable that prospective students work through one of these well established partnerships, or through something like the excellent SIT Tibetan and Himalayan Studies program, instead of making arrangements for yourself.

photo by asianinsights

Visas

Visitors from most countries require a visa to enter China. However, if you plan to study in China, you will require a special visa. For those looking to study for six months or less, the F class visa, often called a business visa, is required. This requires a letter of invitation from the school at which you intend to study, at least two empty pages in your passport, a completed visa application, a few passport photos, and payment of the visa fee.

If you plan to study for more than six moths, then the X class visa is required. The process for acquiring this visa is the same as for the F visa, except a physical examination will be required. For those unable to obtain an X visa from their home country, it is sometimes possible to upgrade a standard tourist visa once in China. Ask your program administrator in advance if this is the case.

From Beijing to Shanghai, Hong Kong to Tibet, there is something for everyone in China. The large, rapidly changing, country is exciting and at times intimidating. However, by narrowing down your search, it is easy to see that China is an ideal place to study abroad.

Travel Insurance

For long term study abroad plans, travel insurance is highly recommendable. Make sure your policy is tailored to wherever you’re going in China.

Photo by Marko

For the intermediate and advanced language student, an exchange with a native speaker is one of the best ways to practice conversation, learn colloquialisms, and develop a friendship with a person from another culture. The only problem is that oftentimes these meetings end up covering the same conversational topics again and again, or break down into English.

If you are feeling that your time with a language exchange partner could be more productive, give these techniques a try.

Pick your meeting place carefully.

A favorite bar, restaurant, or cafe are all fun and popular places to meet with a language exchange partner. However, if your meeting place is too loud to talk at a comfortable level, filled with your friends, or distracting in some other way, it is probably limiting what you are getting from each meeting.

Likewise, if you find that your quiet meeting place is making the interaction between you and your partner a bit stiff, than a livelier location might loosen you both up and spark some conversation. Finding an atmosphere that works for both you and your partner is one of the most important things to developing a beneficial and productive exchange.

Establish a schedule

photo by Oona Fay

Another impediment to productive classes relationship is establishing a schedule and sticking to it. Be flexible at first and work to find a time that will truly work for both people. If your language partner is constantly calling and canceling meetings, make the effort to reschedule. If the meeting time is a challenge for you, don’t be afraid to suggest a change.

Initiate your own learning

To make a language exchange worthwhile you must take initiative for your own learning. Take time before each meeting to write out a few situations, sentences, questions, or words that you would like to practice in your meeting. If you notice yourself slipping into English, move back into the language you are learning.

Take Notes

A good way to maintain focus in a language exchange meeting is to take notes. Over the course of a conversation, words and phrases that challenge you will come up and taking notes will allow you to capture this language for later study.

Also, the pace of a conversation can be so fast at time, you finish without really remembering what was discussed. Notes taken from meeting to meeting will allow you to plan for the future and decrease the amount of repetition in your conversations.

Focus on communication

photo by Jason Rezaian

Generally speaking, a meeting with a language partner is not the time to ask questions about specific grammar points. It is also not your job to give lessons on English grammar, even if your partner makes frequent errors. Instead, focus on communication. If both you and your partner can express the intended ideas, the exercise should be considered a success.

That is not to say that grammar mistakes should be ignored. If errors interfere with effectively expressing meaning, or your partner is making consistent, specific, errors, they should be discussed when they happen. Just avoid killing the flow with a lengthy discussion of grammar rules.

Use a timer

With some language partners, no matter how much initiative you take, it is nearly impossible to stay on task. For situations like this, introduce the use of a timer. While it does seem a bit stiff and structured at first, keeping formal time for each segment of the meeting can do wonders for focusing the group.

When you use a timer, try to establish periods of time with specific goals in mind. An example might be five minutes of general greetings, ten minutes of sentence review, five minutes of new vocabulary, etc.

Having regular meetings with a language exchange partner is a great way to practice and improve a foreign language. It is also a great way to make a new friend. With a little planning and the use of a few organizational techniques it will be easy to get the most out of the meetings and have fun at the same time.

Photo by an untrained eye

When choosing a language school, start by asking these five simple questions to help narrow down the options, uncover your own needs, and asses the quality of potential programs:

1. What is the average class size?

Keep in mind that a larger number of students is not necessarily a bad thing. More classmates will provide more opportunities to make friends, form study groups outside of class, and learn with a variety of styles and abilities.

However, small, or even private classes, allow you more time with a teacher and the possibility to tailor a class to your own strengths and weaknesses.

2. What are the teacher’s qualifications?

While most language schools have teachers with excellent qualifications, this is not always the case. Ask the program for information about the teachers you will be studying with. Other things to consider: how much the teacher can, or is expected to speak English, and how many different teachers you will be exposed to.

3. What is the format of the classes?

Language schools affiliated with universities will have a different format and style than private schools. While every language class will have some combination of conversation, lecture, and exercises, different schools and programs will emphasis these activities to differing degrees. Think about how you learn best and look for a program that fits your own style.

Many language schools also offer more “hands on” programs featuring field trips, cultural activities, and social events. While these are excellent experiences that are necessary to contextualize any language study, they required more personal direction and focus for the beginning student to keep up.

Another important consideration is the teaching style of the program. Some schools focus on teaching very formal versions of the language, the goal being students who sound “proper.” Others like to emphasize colloquial language, introducing idioms and slang into lessons. Take a close look at your goals in the language, not only your personal preferences, when deciding on a teaching style.

4. What is the placement process?

photo by ipanemic

How students are placed in classes is an important consideration for all students, whether they are just beginning or very advanced. More experienced students want to ensure that they will be able to be placed in the class at their level. Make sure you know what areas of language are assessed and that you are prepared to show your best.

Beginning students don’t usually have to worry about how they will be placed, but should be aware of how others may be. Sometimes beginning classes can become filled with weak, experienced, students not yet ready for intermediate classes. While this can push beginners to work harder, the classes may move at a faster pace than is comfortable.

5. What is the difference between the intensive and regular programs?

Intensive programs often follow the same curriculum of a normal course but offer one or two additional hours of instruction per day. This can be an excellent opportunity to spend extra time studying with a teacher or your classmates. These extra hours are particularly useful in programs with larger class sizes.

Still, it is important to determine how the extra time is spent before you choose the intensive program. If the additional class activities match your needs and interests then the intensive class will be a good fit for you.

Keep in mind that intensive language programs can be very taxing on their students and often lead to the burnout. If this is a concern then a non-intensive program, one that allows plenty of time outside class for studying, work with language partners, travel, and fun, might be a better choice for you.

Picking a language program can be hard but if you take your time, do a little research, and ask plenty of questions, you’ll find one that fits your needs and goals perfectly.