1. Try innovative apps or learn a language by watching movies
Let’s go back to how young children learn their mother tongue. Why not do it in a similar way when picking up another language? The creators of the Czech application Mooveez had the same idea. This app is based on four principles – listening, understanding, imitating, and speaking. With Mooveez, you will practice Czech with unique short films created specifically for language learning. The materials are designed for beginners as well as advanced learners and contain the most important vocabulary, grammar, and phrases. The great news is that you can also set the Mooveez app to Ukrainian.
But there are more Czech applications for Ukrainians. For example, LangBee works online and on all devices, so you don’t have to install anything. And what is so innovative about LangBee? This app works with the principles of artificial intelligence and helps you practice complicated words and phrases more systematically. The next option is the application Včelka, created in cooperation with the Charles University. Včelka contains several exercises to practice vocabulary, correct pronunciation, listening, and reading. Both Včelka and LangBee are free for Ukrainians.
If you’re a movie lover rather than an app lover, then you need Language Reactor. This toolbox helps you to understand and learn from materials created by native speakers. All you need to do is install the browser extension. With Language Reactor, you can watch movies and videos on Netflix, YouTube, or other streaming services. How does is it work? This tool allows you to watch content with two subtitles, one in the original language and the other in your chosen language. Moreover, the extension adds a popup dictionary, precise video playback controls, and many more features.
Why study languages?
First and foremost, if you decide to pick up a new language, you have to enjoy your learning and know your motivation. But besides making it easier for you to adapt to a new environment, improving your language skills brings you other benefits as well.
Choosing to pick up a new language provides you with a new vision.
Deciding to learn a new language is a long-term plan. That gives you stability, which is crucial for mental well-being.
You will feel happier and more satisfied.
When learning a foreign language, you need to focus on improving your vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. With all these tasks, you will have less time to think about your own worries and issues.
New skills help you become stronger.
Knowing a new language will boost your confidence and make everyday situations easier. You will feel more confident, and proud at your accomplishments.
2. Make a creative vocabulary
One word on the left, phonetic transcription in the middle, translation on the right. Have you always kept a dictionary like this? Let’s try new, creative formats, perhaps in the form of sketchnoting. It’s a way of keeping notes, only instead of using simple text, you can play with drawings, sketches, and icons. The more active you are during the learning process, the more effective the whole process is. That’s where sketchnoting comes in handy. You have to choose which insights to write down and how. That decision-making stimulates your cognitive processes and makes it easier to remember the new information.
What if you’re not really into drawing in a notebook? You can take a catalogue or a magazine and add the name of each item in a foreign language.
3. Dive into learning topics or fields that interest you
If you already have some basic language knowledge, try studying a new subject or topic that interests you in that language. It doesn’t matter if you go to a course or a webinar, if you focus on history or plant cultivation. You will acquire specific vocabulary, learn to express yourself better, and expand your knowledge. Exploring a topic of your interest in a foreign language will make you enjoy learning.
One final piece of advice: surround yourself with a foreign language in your everyday life and use it everywhere you can. There are surely plenty of opportunities! And if not, practice your knowledge by writing in a diary, for example.
You can ask for sugar, but you better think twice about fruit.
What do Czech and Ukrainian have in common?
Although Czech and Ukrainian have different scripts, they are both Slavic languages. Looking back in history, you can notice mutual influences. For example, the linguistic works of Josef Dobrovsky contributed to the development of Ukrainian grammar. Similarly, the emigration of Czechs to Ukraine in the middle of the 19th century was not without influence on Ukrainian language. Nowadays, you will find many words that sound similar in both languages. For example, sugar, beer, or bread. But beware, not all similar-sounding words have the same meaning. If you fancy vegetable, don’t be surprised if someone offers you fruit.
