The difference between learning another language living in your home country and learning another language as an expat in the country where the language is spoken is a big one.
The learner’s mindset is different.
The opportunities for learning are different.
The environment in which learning takes place is different and of course the felt sense of urgency is different.
These differences give rise to divergent sets of needs, opportunities, challenges and resources for the language learner. As a learner, you need to work to understand your situation so that all available opportunities for learning can be maximized. An amazing amount of ideas and insights can be found from language bloggers or in books but each author is writing from his or her distinct perspective and for an audience that may or may not be in the same situation that you find yourself. You must discover what works best for you.
All of that said, we live in a crazy new world in which opportunities to learn languages are more abundant and available than ever before. The differences between the expat living overseas and the learner at home are quickly blurring. Immersion was once the sole right of those who’d moved to a new country. That is no longer the case.
Today as language learners we can be as immersed in the language as we want to be no matter where we live. The opportunities to find resources online to listen to, to watch, to read and to interact are plentiful. Check out the Language Specific Resource page here at the blog to find a growing number of resources or stop by The Omniglot to find the most robust list of resources on the Internet.
Our world is more connected than ever before and it makes for an exciting time to be learning other languages. The resources and opportunities are available so that anyone with access to the Internet and possessing an independent learner mindset can successfully master another language. But as a language learner, you need to take control, to explore a bit and find our what works for you.
So whether you are living in Hillsboro, Kansas or in Paris, France – you can learn French. And it is the same for every language.
Comment Suggestions:
What resources have helped you be a successful language learner from your home country?
If you been both a “home country” and an “expat” language learner in your life, share the differences as you see them.
