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Moving Internationally and Learning a New Language

After weighing the pros and cons of an international move, the planning process should begin as soon as you commit to the decision of relocating overseas.
Your first priority should be to secure temporary or permanent housing that will help make your move a comfortable and rewarding experience.
After deciding on a new home, let IntlMOVE http://www.intlmove.com/ help you ship your household goods and personal effects overseas to your new destination!
The international moving process requires specific knowledge of, so let IntlMOVE handle the details so you can concentrate on getting settled.
One of the most crucial steps to a successful international move is learning the native language of your new country.
This is imperative for making friends, understanding local culture, ordering from restaurants and navigating your way through you new country.
Try learning the most common 1,000 words used in a language.
You will not be able to hold detailed conversations with this limited vocabulary, but at least you will be able to make yourself understood.
After you have mastered the basic words of a language, there are many resources available to individuals who want a more in-depth understanding of conversational language skills.
Language Classes
You can plan ahead and take language courses before you move or find a course in your adopted country.
You can register for classes through community programs, language schools or universities.
Your local embassy or consulate may offer language classes for free or for a small fee.
Home Study Programs
Pronunciation is key, so try to learn from audio lessons as well as written lessons so you know the proper way to pronounce words.
There are many language programs that have been developed to teach individuals a new language at home.
You can purchase comprehensive language programs that were designed to teach individuals a new language quickly and you can also utilize home-based lessons that will only teach you simple phrases and basic conversation tools.
Determine what level of learning is right for you.
Take advantage of free options from local and online sources.
Go to your local library for books, videos, and CDs that you can check out at no cost.
There are also many free online sources that give you tools to learn a new language for free.
Experiment with different websites and find one that you enjoy and that works with your learning style.
Download podcasts to listen to in order to make better use of your time while you are in the car or working out.

Learn to Speak Conversationally
Language books and classes often teach formal ways of speaking a language, but conversations can be filled with slang and unfamiliar phrases.
There are many people who want to learn English, so find a language buddy that is willing to have regular meetings.
If you can’t find a local language buddy, there are websites available to help pair up potential partners over the internet.
You will engage in conversation, practice speaking with each other and learn to communicate in a new language.
This is a great way to learn slang and expressions that are not easily translated.
A language buddy will also help correct any mistakes you make while speaking, which most people will not do in normal conversations.
You can also watch TV, listen to the radio or rent foreign films to learn how to speak conversationally.
At first you might only recognize every few words, but soon enough the flow of the new language will come together and you will begin to understand complete conversations.
The more you listen, the more you will understand.
Listening helps you comprehend the sound of the language and will also help you with pronunciation.

Immerse Yourself in the Country’s Culture and Language
Practice ordering meals, asking for directions and interact with locals in their native language as often as possible.
You can also use post-it notes to label items in your house so you are getting constant language reminders.
The more you practice the better you will become.

  • 3 responses to "Moving Internationally and Learning a New Language"

  • Deb
    12:46 on March 26th, 2010

    Preparing for your overseas move by learning the language is imperative. However, you will really just get the hang of it if you practice and practice as soon as you move to a new country. It usually takes a couple months, but practice makes perfect.

  • ccj
    16:33 on April 11th, 2010

    The thought of learning a new language can be daunting. Before you move, learn the basics!! Learn basic greetings, food names and directions. Try to learn as much as possible before you move.

  • Isabel
    14:41 on February 15th, 2012

    I moved from Germany to the United States in 2006 to be with my husband, who is American. I was lucky that my language skills were pretty good already, but I still had a lot of learning to do to understand all the cultural differences. I think immersing yourself in the new culture soon as possible or even before you move is definitely one of the best things you can do.

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