• watch foreign movies on DVD using the subtitles – depending on your level, you could use the English subtitles to help understand the content you’re listening to, or view it with the foreign language subtitles if you can understand the gist of what they’re saying but need help with fast speakers or difficult accents
• listen to popular foreign music, and try to understand the lyrics
• meet up with a language exchange partner – check websites or local papers to find people who want to improve their English. Chat for an hour in a café – half an hour in English, half an hour in their language
• consider studying towards a recognised language proficiency exam (for example, Goethe Institut examinations for German, or Japan Foundation tests for Japanese) - a local embassy would be able to provide information relevant for your language
• if you’re able to visit a country where the language is spoken, even just for a short holiday, take every opportunity to speak with the locals – perhaps by staying with a local family, browsing and chatting in small shops or spending time outside the usual tourist areas. Collect newspapers or brochures in the local language to take home and practise reading in the future.

Gambatte!

“Gambatte” is a handy Japanese phrase I learnt which doesn’t translate perfectly into English, but means something like “Do your best” and “Go for it!” When trying to remember new vocabulary or struggling to understand a difficult grammar point, just remember to “gambatte,” and don’t give up! Once you start communicating in another language, the possibilities are endless, and the personal satisfaction is enormous.