How to speak a foreign language from home

Step 1. Find native speakers

There are a huge number of websites and apps on the Internet to meet people around the world. The most popular and convenient ones are: Tandem, Speaky, Ablo, HelloTalk. Choose a user-friendly interface and go! Most of them even have built-in translators, which is very handy at the beginning. If you make friends with native speakers and move on to other social networks, the conditions of the dialogue will already be closer to real life. However, always keep a translator handy to quickly translate an unfamiliar word. Google Translate even has a widget that pops up when you copy a word or phrase.

Step 2: Record your voice messages

Even at the A1-A2 level, you can already say some simple phrases, so why not start talking? Or you can translate some not-so-long phrase, rehearse it a bit, and then record a voice message. Also, record a social media post and subtitle it in Russian for your Russian friends and followers, or record it in Russian and subtitle it in the language you're learning. But don't be afraid of mistakes! You can't learn anything without mistakes, and native speakers are usually happy to help, correct and advise you.

Step 3: Listen to voice and listen more in general

Audition is an integral part of speaking practice, so ask your new friends to record your voices, and duplicate what they say as needed. This way you'll practice listening, but you'll also be able to translate an unfamiliar word and remember which expressions the speakers swallow half the sounds in :)

You'll practice listening.

Step 5: Talk to yourself.

If you have a chance to be alone, use that time to talk to yourself in a foreign language. Pretend to talk to someone and tell them how your day was, give an interview, or give a TED talk. If you can't find the word, try to replace it with a similar word, explain its meaning or just look at how to spell it. The main thing is not to lose the inspiration and excitement of your fiery speech!

Step 5. Move on to video calls.

It might be a little scary or at least exciting at first. Chances are you won't understand half of what your conversation partner says on your first call (whether he's a native speaker or a language learner like you). But phone calls are the best way to practice speaking the language. To reduce your anxiety, ask your friend to speak as slowly as possible before the call, if you don't understand a word, ask him to write it in the chat and translate it (there's absolutely no shame in not knowing some words) and make a list of the topics you want to talk about. You can even translate in advance any phrases or sentences you want to insert into the conversation. Over time, your conversations will become easier, more fun and more relaxed, and you'll begin to really enjoy learning the language.

And finally, some tips for improving your spoken language if you already speak it:

• learn words. Build up your vocabulary from other sources, not just from speaking, so you'll feel more comfortable.

• learn colloquialisms, sayings, proverbs, and slang. It's all part of the culture and language of everyday life. They make your conversation sound more interesting. (And learn F-words, but we didn't tell you that either :)

• listen and watch. Listen to the music and translate the lyrics, or as a lazier option, just find the translation (you can sing along). Find podcasts of interest and listen on the way to university or the store. Watch videos, storizas, shows, movies. No matter what you understand 30%, soon you'll understand even what the child said in a whisper from across the room!

• read. If you can't read the original version of Jane Eyre, read your favorite bloggers' posts, news stories, adapted books or magazines.

• learn your grammar. Better yet, observe how, when, and which grammatical structures native speakers use, and use them in conversation.

The cardinal rule: surround yourself with the language and use it whenever you can!