Want to learn a language like Pennsylvania Dutch, or continue improving?
The How to Get Started page is a good place to find learning resources for learning Pennsylvania Dutch. But how to you actually learn a language?
Here are some tips that have helped many people learn a new language. And the good news is, they work with learning Deitsh as well.
1) Study and learn a little bit every day
Instead of trying to study for an hour or 2 every so often, take just a few minutes each day to learn and practice Pennsylvania Dutch. Even just 15 or 20 minutes is good. The important part is to do a little every day.
2) Add variety to what you learn
Language is made of different types of skills:
- Learning and memorizing new words (vocab)
- Practicing pronouncing words
- Reading silently and understanding what you read
- Reading out loud
- Understanding when others speak
- Putting your thoughts into words
Everyone will do better at certain parts of the language learning process. It’s tempting to just practice and spend more time on the parts you’re good at. But to really improve, you’ll want to practice it all.
For example, if you set aside 20 minutes a day to learn, divide it into 5 minute chunks:
- 5 minutes Learning new vocab words and reviewing ones you already know. Goal: 1-3 new words a day.
- (Learn different types of words: 1 noun, 1 verb, and 1 adjective or adverb)
- 5 minutes Reading Pennsylvania Dutch silently.
- 5 minutes Listening to audio or videos in the language.
- If you can find an article that you can read along with in Pennsylvania German at the same time as listening, even better.
- Try this: Listen and write down what you hear; one sentence at a time. Then check what you heard with the article.
- Videos with interviews or videos involving conversations will help you get used to hearing a variety of pronouns and verb conjugations.
- If you can find an article that you can read along with in Pennsylvania German at the same time as listening, even better.
- 5 minutes Reading out loud or speaking.
- (Even talking to yourself can help.)
3) Use what you learn as soon as you can
Using what you learn as soon as you can will help the new things you learn to stick. And it’ll motivate you to keep learning.
For example, if you learn 2 or 3 new Deitsh words a day, make it a goal to use them in conversations that same day.
Don’t wait until you feel like you can say things perfectly. Find native speakers. Start conversations, ask questions, make mistakes.
4) Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
Making mistakes is how how you learn. Just know that those who speak the language well have made lots of mistakes.
Try to laugh at yourself. The bigger the mistake, the less likely you will be to make it again.
5) Don’t stop learning
Keep learning.
Some keep a notebook or note on their phone for writing down new words and phrases they hear. You will be surprised what you pick up.
If you start feeling like you’re getting in a rut or getting bored, mix things up and try new ways to learn.
- Write in a journal what you did today; using the language.
- Practice describing a picture.
- Try teaching someone something using Pennsylvania Dutch.
- Pick your favorite song and try translating it.
6) Have fun
The most important thing is: have fun. Enjoy the process. Don’t compare your progress with other people’s.
Be patient with yourself. It won’t happen all at once, but you will make progress if you keep trying and stick with it!