How Interning Abroad Can Improve Your Language Skills
Ever grow bored or frustrated with not making any progress while learning a new language? You’re not alone! We all have our reasons for learning a second or third language. Whether it’s for business, an interest in a new culture, or simply wanting to connect with your roots, they’re all great reasons to learn. However, often throughout the process of attaining a new language, many get stuck trying to juggle all the complexities of its grammar rules, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The question is, how can you improve your language skills then?
In our humblest opinion, the best way to jump over this language hurdle is by going to the country to immerse yourself in that new language completely. And what better way to do that than through a meaningful internship? Doing an internship abroad is a great way to accomplish both your language goals and make an impact. Read on to discover how an internship abroad can give you that boost that you need to improve your language skills.
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7 Ways To Improve Language Skills Through An Internship
1. Channel Your Inner Chatty-Cathy
It’s a no-brainer that an essential part of learning any language includes speaking. But when studying on your own, you might not have someone to practice with! However, an internship abroad will allow you to practice constantly – and with natives no less! Since you’ll be integrated into a new community during your internship, you’ll get to know the ins and outs of the language. Brush off any shyness you had before and get to talking with others. If you take this opportunity to speak as much as you can with locals, soon enough you’ll be talking like one of them!
2. Ask For Feedback
One of the biggest barriers when it comes to talking to strangers in a new language is the fear of not pronouncing something correctly or of saying something silly. But there’s really nothing to fear but fear itself; making mistakes is completely normal. Besides, while interning abroad people are delighted when they see someone making an effort to learn their native language. Meaning, they’re happy to help you learn! Don’t be scared to ask them for feedback, corrections, and questions. They might not be able to explain to you why a word is pronounced a certain way but rest assured that they are using it correctly. They are, after all, the ones who know their mother tongue best.
3. Listen Carefully To Others
While having a conversation with someone, especially with a native speaker, it’s best to listen closely to how they structure their sentences. At first, it will probably feel like you’re grasping for key vocabulary, especially if you’re not familiar with certain structures and sentences. But, if you take mental notes and internalize what people are saying, and how they’re saying it, you’ll unconsciously start to copy that structure without having to memorize it. For example, let’s say that during your internship in Ecuador, you notice someone say: “Yo tengo hambre” (I’m hungry). In that moment you realize that you’ve been saying that phrase wrong all along! Slowly, you’ll ease into using the correct structures. This is how actively listening will help you retain those little details in mind.
4. Journal
There’s no doubt that throughout an international internship, you’ll have many experiences. What better way to practice your language learning than by writing down these cherished memories! Reflect on your day-to-day activities and write down everything you learned that day. (Bonus points if you write it down in the language you are currently looking to improve on). This practice will make you think about the interactions you had throughout the day and look up words that you might not know. Then, one day, when you look back at your journal, you’ll be able to see your improvement in the language as well as the positive change you brought while interning at a nonprofit organization.
5. Tune Into Local Media
Being so accustomed to your native language at home means that when you’re in a new country, it can take time for your ears to adjust to a foreign language. A great way to fine-tune your listening capabilities is by consuming local media while interning at your international destination. Take the opportunity to engage with everything you can like watching the news, listening to the radio, and listening to popular music in that region. It’s not only a great way to stay informed and perfect your listening skills, but you’ll also be acquiring new vocabulary along the way. It’s also a fantastic starting point to strike up conversations with colleagues or with the locals during your internship! They’ll surely appreciate your interest in their culture and their current events.
6. Create A Language Exchange
During your journey, you’ll definitely embrace a new language and culture but don’t be surprised that others are curious to learn about your mother tongue and culture as well. Take this moment to go beyond everyday interactions and meet up with other language lovers who want to create a language exchange! It doesn’t have to be an extravagant event, it can be as easy as inviting people to have some coffee once a week to chat about your favorite topics. There’s nothing better than finding others who also share your passion and sit and discuss a wide range of topics in a safe space. Once you start chatting it up with others, you’ll not only start to form tight bonds, but you’ll notice it encourages each other to continue learning.
7. Participate In Fun Activities
The most important aspect of language learning is keeping it fun! Picking up a new language doesn’t have to be limited to memorizing grammar structures and lectures. By putting yourself out there and joining in local activities during your internship you’ll be able to apply your knowledge in a real-life setting and make deep connections. Just imagine going on a kayak trip during an internship in Mozambique and learning about others’ views on the world while doing a fun activity. It doesn’t matter if you’re letting loose during thrilling adventures or simply hanging out at a local basketball game, engaging with others in enjoyable tasks will add value to your whole experience.
The Best Way To Improve Language Skills
Still wondering if immersion really is the best way to learn a language? Well, we say that it is! Being involved in an internship abroad is a great way to acquire or perfect a language using the previously listed tips. You’ll be surrounded constantly by native speakers and you’ll be engaging with them on a daily basis. These face-to-face interactions will immerse you in the language in a way that no textbook can. Beyond the everyday vocabulary, you’ll get to dig deep and discover the slang and culture of a particular region, obtaining a confidence boost in your speaking abilities along the way.
Take Your Language Learning To The Next Level!
Open your mind and expand new horizons with us! With Roots Interns you can expose yourself to languages like English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and more, with one of our global internships. You’ll be able to reach your new linguistic milestone with an internship that aligns with your interests and skills. More than language learning, our role at Roots is to match aspiring interns with their ideal internship so that they can contribute their time and skills to an organization that actively works towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
We offer a wide range of internships; anything from teaching to orphan care — all the way to business and marketing! Acquiring a new language is a great career booster, but it’s also just one of the many valuable skills you’ll gain during an internship with a nonprofit. We have helped interns achieve both their personal goals (like language learning) as well as their professional goals in their dream destination.
Curious to find out more? Give us a shout and we’ll answer any doubts.
This blog was written by Adelis L. Álvarez
