While it’s possible to achieve a high level of proficiency in a foreign language while studying in your home country, in order to take your skills to the next level, it’s essential to be immersed in the language. Language study with native speakers in a foreign country opens you up to the possibility of a more well-rounded experience, as you’ll be able to enjoy the culture together with the language.
Be sure to carefully weigh your options when planning for a foreign language study abroad experience. For example, if you’re interested in Spanish, there are over 20 Spanish-speaking countries to consider, each with its own unique culture, accent and slang. Do some research to determine which locations fit best with your language goals. If you want to improve your Spanish for use on the job, and the people you’re likely to be in contact with are primarily from Latin America, you may want to skip a language immersion experience in Spain in favor of, say, Mexico.
If you’re interested in studying a more obscure tongue like Icelandic or Luxembourgish, studying abroad may be your only opportunity to truly get a handle on the language, as access to native speakers and learning materials in these languages are most likely extremely limited in your home country.
Once you’re in country, one of the keys to gaining fluency is to reinforce classroom study through real world interactions. Don’t be afraid to take what you’ve learned in your language classes and practice it outside the classroom: go to the movies, chat up the locals, join a club or team. You’re bound to make mistakes as you go along, but language foibles come with the territory. Just remember to keep a sense of humor!
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that merely visiting or living in a foreign country isn’t enough to help you perfect your skills – just ask the thousands of expats who successfully live for years on end in a foreign country without ever mastering the language. If you confine yourself to the “expat bubble,” you’ll spend the majority of your time surrounded by those who speak your native tongue, depriving yourself of the chance to exercise your foreign language muscle. Get out there and interact with the natives!