How to go from OK at a language to confident / fluent

[AncienneEtudiante]

I have a degree in an eu language. I obviously did an a level in that language too and also did an erasmus year in a country where they spoke that language etc. But my language skills aren't that great?

I really want to go from being just OK in that language to really confident or fluent.

Has anyone got any tips please?

Well - I’m really crap but DH is very good. He says best way is to find a radio station, watch films, read newspapers and practice every day. Don’t be scared to say the wrong words. And as my dad used to say - the more you can speak a language, the more you will actually get what you really want on a shop!

Films, tv, newspapers, novels. Can you find a conversation exchange with a native speaker? Depending on your level, to grow vocabulary I’ve often found it useful to read a novel I know quite well in another language in translation?

I agree with TV, books etc.

But you also need to speak the language in order to improve on fluency. Try the website Meetup, there might be groups of native speakers in your area.

Thanks. I agree that it's really difficult to learn or improve in a language if you don't speak it daily!

Will keep at it.

Lots of ways. Find a language partner. Practice with a tutor too, find one online.

Basically, you need to use it. Indeed books, the telly will help, but those will still be very formal uses of language. Immersing yourself will help - social media, internet forums, places where the language isn't revised before being posted (just beware of bad grammar).

Do you have a hobby you can join a group in your foreign language about? I'm involved in all sorts of German dog groups.

If you can’t live where it’s spoken, find another way to use it regularly so it becomes normal to just speak it. Through work, socially, any way really, the more you use it the more natural and easy it will get.