Many people wait until they are overseas to begin preparing for and learning their new language.
However, the most successful learners are often those who take some key steps toward language learning before they leave home. Here are five steps you can take to help yourself become a more effective language learner. Those who arrive overseas with this type of preparation consistently report that pre-field SLA preparation saves far more, in both time and money, than they spend to take the course. Find a native speaker helper to work with for a minimum of two hours each week. Your helper may be a neighbor, a student, or any person who is willing to give you some time.