How to effectively learn a Second Language？

“To have a second language is to have second soul. “

They said that learning a second language can be life changing. It gives you a whole different view and an insight on the culture of the country and the people who speak that language. It connects us to some other way and to a who new level of global understanding.

We interviewed and ask some of our bilingual staff in Heart Corporation the following questions:

1. How did you learn a second language?
2. What interest you in learning a second language?
3. What is the most effective way in learning a second language?

Let’s hear the experiences and interesting answers of some of our staff at Heart Corporation.

Rose on learning Japanese

I learned Japanese through self- study and everyday interactions with the Japanese people.

Japan is a famous country with incredibly rich culture. I grew up watching anime and Japanese movies. I love Japanese food too! It gave me the inspiration to learn the language and even to come and live in Japan.

Learning Japanese is necessary for someone who is living here. I want to have a deeper conversation with people. I want to understand my surroundings and everything that is going on. Above all, I want to understand and create a good relationship with the Japanese people.

The most effective way in learning Japanese is by immersing yourself to the culture, the language and the people. By doing so, eventually you’ll realize that you are actually learning to love the culture, the people and the country itself.

Kaori on learning English

My father graduated from a famous English school in Japan. I grew up hearing him speak English. He taught me a lot of different English words and that’s how I learned English.

I became interested with the American Culture. The language, music, and movies.  I’m so into American Pop music and even became a fan of the famous movie “Twilight.” My interests in those things lead me to liking and learning English even more. I wanted to understand the meaning of the English songs and movies. I want to be immersed into the American culture.

Kojiro on learning English

I learned English because I took up a vocational course. I studied for 2 years and that’s how I learned English. Some Japanese celebrities that I watched on TV can speak English fluently. It gave me the impression that learning English is so cool!

Also, in Japan, if you can speak English. You will have the chance of getting a higher salary.

Shigeo on learning Chinese

I had a formal education of Chinese study through a language school. I didn’t self-study.  Also, I used to work in China for a total of 2 years and 6 months. I was able to practice what I learned from studying Chinese when I was in China. I think the most effective way to learn a language is by having a proper education of it and application of what you learned by being in the actual environment of where I could use the language.

Sachie on learning Persian

I learned Persian because I studied at the University. I majored in Persian Language. After my graduation, I worked as a translator. It was a tough job. However, the struggles that I encountered while doing the job helped me to learn and improved my knowledge about the language even more. I think that was the most effective way for me in learning the language.

Genta on learning Spanish

I learned speaking Spanish through books and self-study. I bought helpful books in learning Spanish issued from Spain at the Ichigaya Tokyo Bookstore.

The most effective ones are the dictionaries. I studied the dictionary and the grammar for 3 years. That’s how I learned the different vocabularies and its translation to Japanese.

After learning the grammar and acquiring those vocabularies, I started to construct my own Spanish sentences. Also, I enrolled into an online language exchange classes where you can interact and talk to Spanish speaking people.

Having the actual conversation gave me the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned from the books.