Learning a new language is arguably one of the most challenging but rewarding things you can do. To be able to experience a new culture through their language cannot be underestimated, but to become fluent in a foreign tongue takes a long while and dedication on your part.

Firstly, you should decide what language you want to learn and why you wish to learn it – do you want to learn Italian because you want to go to Italy? Do you want to learn Russian to discover your roots? Do you want to learn German so you can understand old war films without having the subtitles on? Whatever the reason, make sure you are willing to stick with learning it once you’ve begun.

Once you’ve decided, you then need to decide how you’re going to learn it – by yourself? With a friend? Or with a teacher in a class? For more common languages such as French and Spanish, teaching resources and language classes are plentiful, but for many the hardest part is finding the time.

For many people, even those in full time education, there are small sections in the day that can aid learning a new language – in the car on the way to work, while cooking dinner, out jogging or at the gym. By using language tapes, which are common, or flashcards you will be able to take in a lot over a short period of time without diverting from your daily schedule.

You can of course, opt to learn the language at a course that teaches the language enabling you to practice with other beginners and being taught by someone qualified to teach the language. The advantage of this is that you will benefit from focused instruction, support and feedback as well as going to an actual class instead of relying upon yourself to learn at home.

If you have the time and the money, you can always go to the country of choice and learn by throwing yourself in the deep end. Study abroad will completely immerse you in the language enabling rapid progress and learning cultural differences that you might not otherwise pick up.

There are also online courses that can be aided with language podcasts and electronic translators. Whichever way you want to learn, the trick is, with all hobbies, to stick with it and constantly practice if you are to get the most out of it.