Language Learning Demos - Try Before You Buy

By Ron Tichenor

A common mistake many language learners make is to buy the wrong kind of language method for themselves. With a little foresight and some research, you can be sure to get a language learning method that's right for you.

I highly recommend to any new language learner who is contemplating a purchase to first try out as many products as possible. Do a little research into each method and look for a demo or free lessons. Many language publishers, especially the most popular ones, offer a free demo or first lesson or two to try out their product before you buy it. If they don't, you should think twice about committing to something if it is a big purchase for you.

Another way to try a product before you buy it is to borrow it from a friend or the library. Many popular language methods, like Pimsleur, can be found in the library, even if only in an introductory course. You can try it out for free, and then commit to a purchase if you find you like it.

Why should you try out the product? You need to be confident that the language method is teaching you what you need or want to learn.

Does it cover the kind of material you want? Do you want to learn to speak only or do you also need to know how to read the language? Is it for travelers or is it much more comprehensive?

Is the learning style and format of the lessons appropriate for you? Is it cost-effective for you?

These are the questions you need to begin to answer before you commit what could be hundreds of dollars and hundreds of hours of study time on a language method. Do some research. Refrain from making an impulse buy. In the long run, you will be more confident in your language method and in yourself. This will translate into a much more effective and rewarding language learning experience.

Ron is a long-time language enthusiast, exploring Spanish, French, Swedish, Cornish, Esperanto and others. Learn more about studying a language on your own at Language Learning Advisor. This guide for self-study language learners has reviews and recommendations of language learning methods and products, links to online learning resources, learning tips to maximize your study time and effectiveness and articles on language learning.