Spend your summer learning languages

Is your summer break boring? Are you laying in bed all day?

For lot of people, summer is a season of fun, freedom and ….. boredom.

So why not beat boredom and improve your language skills at the same time?

I’ll give you ideas for fun summery things you can do to practice languages you can absolutely do by yourself if your friends are out of town for vacation or together with people who speak the language you want to practice. And the best part: they don’t involve any actual learning.

I have listed all kind of activities for different needs:

• For sporty people
• For introverts
• For those who want to meet new people
• And, for those who would like to earn a little money this summer

One of the things you can do is to do my activity list above. Feel free to be creative and fill in the remaining two places with your own awesome ideas!

Are you sporty or want to move a little instead of melting into your couch?

• Go running, ride a bike, roller skate, or skateboard around your neighborhood and think about the people and things to see in your target language. For example: “That kid is eating an ice-cream.” or ” That dog is so adorable, I wish I could have a dog”. Obviously, you can adjust it to your level.
• Go play basketball by yourself and count in your target language, or even encourage yourself a little in the language you want to learn.
• Go swimming and make plans or think about your day in the language you want to practice.
• Go hiking and look up the names of animals and plants in your target language. You can even borrow a plant encyclopedia from your local library in that language if they have it.
• Go to a community pool with someone who speaks the language. Why not have your next tandem language lesson at the beach?
• Go to the gym (or an open-air exercise park, even better!) and count in your target language or think about the things happening around you.

Not a social person?

• Borrow books from the embassy’s library of where they speak the language you are learning.
• Watch YouTube videos until all recommendations are in your target language.
• Watch a movie and summarize the story in your target language.
• Do an imaginary house tour in your target language.
• Cook a recipe of the country where they speak the language.
• Exercise at home following YouTube videos in that language.
• Do a DIY craft based on instructions or videos in your target language.
• Write a diary in the language you want to practice.
• “Instagram-stalk” your favorite celebrities who speak the language you want to practice.

Do you enjoy meeting new people?

• Sign up for a language camp. Language schools, cultural centers, embassies are great places to inquire about them.
• Volunteer at an embassy or cultural center of a country where they speak the language.
• Tutor beginners. Help out with their school work if you are a beginner.
• Go to a language event. Find one on Facebook or ask the embassy or cultural center of a country where they speak the language.
• Meet people in tandem language learning groups.
• Organize a book club or picnic for people who also learn that language.
• Offer to chat about your country’s culture in an expat group or offer practical help, like translating.

Would you like to earn a little money while learning languages?

• Babysit kids who speak that language. Advertise in Facebook expat groups, at an embassy, cultural centers, Craiglist, or though friends.
• Work at international festivals.
• Ask if language schools, cultural centers or embassies are hiring for the summer.
• Translate if you are advanced.
• Tutor beginners.
• Become a part-time tourist guide for tourists coming from the country where they speak the language.

HAPPY VACATION

Zsófi

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