Blog · 2024-09-26

How to learn a new language before moving abroad

Moving to another country inevitably means immersing yourself in a new linguistic world. To settle in as smoothly as possible, it pays to start learning the language before you find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. Here are some less obvious tips to help you do exactly that.

1. Learn what you'll actually need in the first two weeks

Most people start out by focusing on basic phrases or grammar. But in the early days, it's far more useful to master specific situations. Picture your first day after the move: a trip to the shop, the commute to work, a conversation with your landlord or the barista. Draw up a list of the phrases and expressions those moments call for. It will give you confidence from day one, when you're facing real-life tasks.

2. Practise in context

Don't stop at memorising words - anchor them in context. If you need vocabulary for work, for instance, dive into relevant material: read professional articles and discuss the topics you'll deal with every day. Words and phrases stick faster when they're tied to real tasks.

3. Listen to native speakers and echo them in real settings

One of the quickest ways to absorb a new language is to mimic how native speakers talk. Find podcasts, YouTube videos or recorded conversations on subjects that interest you, and listen every day. But don't just listen - repeat the phrases after the speakers, copying their intonation and rhythm. This sharpens your pronunciation and gets you used to the natural pace of speech.

4. Keep grammar minimal

Don't try to master every grammar rule at once. Remember that in everyday conversation people mostly rely on simple constructions.

5. Build a language environment from afar

Use today's technology to create your own mini language environment before you even move. Make friends through social media or language apps, and talk with native speakers over chat or video calls.

6. Work on your reactive speech

When you hear questions in a new language, it's not enough to understand them - you need to respond quickly. Train yourself to react to standard phrases. Make a habit of answering lines like "How are you?", "What do you think of this?" or "Where is…?". Rehearsing these exchanges will help you handle most everyday situations with ease.

7. Keep up with current language trends

Language is a living system that never stops changing. Use social media such as TikTok or Instagram to stay on top of contemporary expressions and up-to-date slang.

8. Translate whatever surrounds you

Try translating the everyday things around you into the new language: restaurant menus, street signs, product descriptions in the shop. This trains your ability to interpret on the spot and helps you pick up the vocabulary you're sure to use in daily life.

9. Language clubs and online meetups

Join expat communities or language clubs in advance, where you can practise with native speakers or fellow learners.

10. Try the "borrowed context" technique

Try talking with native speakers using their context rather than your own. If you're planning to move to Spain, for example, don't discuss your favourite dishes - talk about traditional Spanish ones instead. This lets you practise the language while learning a great deal about the culture of your future home.

FAQ

Where do I start learning a language before moving?

Start with the scenarios of your first two weeks rather than grammar: the supermarket, transport, the landlord, the pharmacy, a coffee order. Write out the phrases each of those needs and drill them out loud until they come automatically.

How long does it take to learn a language before moving?

There is no single answer, it depends on the language, your background and the hours you actually put in. A better target than a deadline is a list of situations you can handle alone on day one; the rest comes much faster once you are there.

Do I need to study grammar?

Not much of it at the start. Everyday speech runs on simple structures, so present tense, past tense, questions and negation carry you a long way, and deeper grammar makes more sense once you are already speaking.

How can I improve pronunciation on my own?

Listen to native podcasts or videos and repeat after the speaker out loud, copying intonation and rhythm rather than just words. Shadowing like this trains your ear and your mouth at once, no teacher required.

How do I practise a language with no native speakers around?

Build the environment remotely: language exchange apps, chats and video calls with natives, online clubs and expat groups. It also helps to translate whatever surrounds you, menus, street signs, product labels, so you learn the words you will actually use.

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