How to improve your language skills outside of school

Going on a language school trip is a great way to improve your language skills, but much of the learning occurs outside of your classes.

In fact, the majority of the knowledge that you gain comes from practicing by yourself and talking to other people.

Here are 5 tips to help you make the most of your adventure abroad:

1: Speak as much as you can with the locals. Take every opportunity possible to interact with other people. Don't be afraid to ask for directions or to ask for help when shopping for instance.

2: Read books! Reading Books is a fantastic way to improve your vocabulary and reading skills. You will also Learn a lot about other subjects while doing so depending on the books you choose.

3: Watch movies in the language that you want to learn. You can definitely try to watch the movie with subtitles as reading while listening is very beneficial. However, if you feel confident enough to watch without any subtitles, then why not challenge yourself?

4: Use language learning apps like Duolingo or Babbel. With today's technology, it's super easy to practice a language just by using your phone. Duolingo for example is free of charge!

5: Do a language exchange. This basically means that you set up a meeting with someone who speaks the language you want to learn, and that wants to learn your native language. You teach him/her your language in exchange for lessons in your chosen language. This is a win-win situation for both and it doesn't cost anyone a penny!

There are many ways to learn a new language and to keep improving every day, but these are our top 5 tips which will hopefully help you with your development!