Knowing more than one language is great for your brain. But what’s the best way to learn? TED’s Open Translation Project volunteers share 7 tips:

1. Get real. Decide on a simple, attainable goal to start with so that you don’t feel overwhelmed.

2. Make language-learning a lifestyle change. […] Find a language habit that you can follow even when you’re tired, sick or madly in love.

3. Play house with the language. The more you invite a foreign language into your daily life, the more your brain will consider it something worth remembering.

4. Let technology help you out. […] “A funny thing like resetting the language on your phone can help you learn new words right away,” […] Duolinguo for its approach to grammar…

5. Think about language-learning as a gateway to new experiences. […] Think of fun things that you wanted to do anyway, and make them into a language-learning opportunity.

6. Make new friends. Interacting in the new language is key —  Find native speakers near you. Or search for foreign penpals or set up a language tandem online, where two volunteers help one another practice their respective languages.

7. Do not worry about making mistakes. Native speaker will appreciate your effort and even help you. And be patient. The more you speak, the closer you’ll get to the elusive ideal of “native-like fluency.” And to talking to people your own age.

We hope this may be useful, and we assure that all these tips are truly helpful, sowhy don´t you start applying some of them?

For reading the whole article in the TED-Ed Blog, click here.