For many the best way to ease your way into a new language is to start with basics. Most language courses wisely start with expressions we can use to get around a bit and to get know other people. 

Even though learning the important structures of sentences, the placement of subjects, verbs and objects and the use of basic tenses will, in the long run, be needed to be really conversant in a language, introducing those difficult concepts in the beginning of language study usually just serves to discourage students.  

Frankly, most students are ghastly afraid of the “G” word and try to avoid learning grammar to the bitter end.  But we can make the study of a language easier by taking baby steps and gaining our confidence, one “baby step” at a time to absorb more and more of the language.  

If we learn fixed expressions of greeting, introduction and getting around, we will also be learning some grammar, but in a less painful way. Learn how to greet people, both formally and informally and learn all of the expressions for addressing people: Mister, Madam, Miss; how are you, I am fine; my name is, what is your name, etc.

Learning these short expressions will boost our confidence and make other feel at ease with us. Even if you can go no further in your conversation, letting others know that you are interested in trying to speak in their language will encourage them to help you.  

Another step in the easy conquest of a language is to learn the many rote items that exist in every language. The alphabet, numbers, the days of the week and the months and seasons of the year are basically lists that we can memorize and recite as needed.

Write them on cards and practice when you are on a bus or waiting in a doctor’s office. Again, simple things that are easy to memorize will boost your confidence and help you learn further.  Add sentences such as “Today is (date)” or “I love spring (or summer or winter)”, that utilize these items and you will feel that you’ve gone native in no time.

Next you will want to learn how to pose questions. Learning who, what, where and when will be a help in getting around, and you can add places and people easily enough. Don’t be discouraged if your sentences are not perfectly formed.  If you know the word for restaurant, and you know how to say where, you will probably not go hungry tonight.

Once again, being able to express yourself, even in this rudimentary way, will build your confidence and help you learn more. What most often happens is that people will say “Oh, where is the restaurant?” and now you know the full sentence and can lock it away in memory.

A last tip for making a language easy is to be able to make a little small talk.  Questions and answers about the weather, finding out the time or inquiring about the price of things can serve as a quick introduction to people.  Yes, you will have to admit that you can go no further in your meteorological discussion, but you will receive valuable feedback that will further help you.

If you are planning on traveling with your new found language, make sure you are able to stay safe and healthy by memorizing some important expressions. You should be able to tell a cabbie to take you to your hotel (make sure you know the name of your hotel), learn how to say “Excuse me, do you speak English?”, “Can you help me?”, “Fire!”, “Help!”, “Where is the police station?” and whatever other expressions that may be relevant to your particular situation.