Myanmar Language Learning Hacks
The Myanmar language, otherwise known as Burmese, is a unique and distinctive language that hails from the Southeast Asian country of the same name (Myanmar). Because there are so few speakers of this language — and because most Burmese speakers live in Myanmar — it can be difficult to learn the Myanmar language to a higher level of proficiency. Lots of modern language learners have come up with clever and innovative ways to hack language, and lucky for the Myanmar language learners of the world, a lot of these techniques can be applied to Burmese language learning too!
Keep a Burmese Vocabulary Journal
Having a special vocabulary journal available to jot down new words and phrases whenever you encounter them can be an incredibly useful resources throughout your language learning journey. No matter whether you’re a beginner or an advanced Myanmar language student, a vocabulary journal is a great way to keep track of all the important stuff!
For example, during your classes with your Burmese teacher you’re likely to take notes on words and phrases, but chances are good that your notes won’t be as organized as you’d like for them to be. After every Burmese language class, take some time to write your new vocabulary into your vocabulary journal! Besides helping you keep track of words, this is also a fantastic way to review your Burmese lessons and assimilate the vocabulary more efficiently.
Learn Myanmar Language Words in Context
Although you’re likely to have a long list of Myanmar words already at your fingertips to memorize or practice, chances are good that you don’t have the slightest idea how to actually use a lot of those words. And, even if you do know how to use them, it’s been scientifically proven that we’re more likely to remember words when we memorize them in context — to put it another way, it’s easier to memorize words when you memorize them in the context of a sentence or phrase. That brings us to the next language hack tip that can help you learn Burmese!
Practice Burmese Phrases INSTEAD of Only Words
Certainly your natural first instinct is to practice individual words in Burmese, and although there’s a time and place for this kind of vocabulary building, it’s helpful to start by memorizing useful phrases in Myanmar before working with words. This is especially true if you’re a beginner! Chances are if you’re a beginning Burmese student that you have little to no idea how to structure sentences correctly, and you definitely don’t have a lot of vocabulary to work with. By learning the most useful phrases first and then gradually progressing into other common phrases or sentences, you’ll train your brain on sentence structure before you even open a grammar book!
When you practice phrases rather than individual words, you’re building a set of things you can actually say right out of the gate. This goes along with making sure that you can start talking in Myanmar at the very beginning of your learning journey. And, as you probably already know, being able to use the language is one of the most important parts of successfully learning Burmese!
Expose Yourself to Burmese Whenever Possible
One of the essential methods of learning Burmese is to ensure that you’re getting exposed to the language as much as possible. Because most westerners didn’t grow up hearing Burmese, and most of you likely don’t know the sounds of the Myanmar language from anywhere, it’s vital that you listen to as much Burmese as possible as a part of the learning process. Even if your speaking and reading skills are limited, you’ll be surprised how much your Myanmar improves just by listening to the language every day.
Consider watching some Burmese movies or videos, or find a Myanmar musical artist that you like. Film is a fantastic way to understand more about Burmese culture as well as a way to expose yourself to the language, and listening to Myanmar music can help you improve your intonation and rhythm when you speak Burmese. And if you practice listening for even just 15 minutes per day, you’ll be surprised how much better your listening skills improve by your next Burmese language lesson! Of course, the more exposure you get to the Myanmar language, the better, but consistency is key. Make sure that you hear or read Burmese every day, even for just a few minutes, if you want to see dramatic results.
Learn 1 Word or Phrase Every Day
If you have limited time in your schedule available for larger language learning chunks, consider using the Word-a-Day language hack method to move your Myanmar language skills forward. The trick with this particular language hack is to choose words and phrases that you see yourself using regularly. This requires a bit of thought, but it’s a good rule of thumb to start with common word groups such as colors, numbers, greetings, or basic essential verbs. In terms of phrases, consider this list of essential Burmese travel phrases!
Develop a Vocabulary in Topics that Interest You
It’s a fact that if you’re interested in learning something, or if you have a well-developed reason why you need to learn something, that you’re more likely to learn faster and better. The same is true when it comes to language learning. At this point, you’ve chosen Burmese as your target language, and so you’re already one step closer to learning quickly! If you have an idea of the subjects that interest you in general, you can then create a list of possible vocabulary words and phrases that you can use to talk about and read about these subjects.
For example, if you’re learning Burmese for your job, maybe you need to learn a specific set of vocabulary that pertains to your work and industry. Because you have a reason to learn, you’re more likely to actually retain the information that you learn and be able to use it effectively in the future. As another example, if you’re learning Burmese for fun and one of your favorite hobbies is dance, consider learning dance-related words and phrases! You’ll be amazed how quickly your Burmese language skills improve once you start creating targeted vocabulary sets to learn.
If you’re looking for a way to language hack Burmese, any of these methods listed above are sure to help you succeed rapidly. But having a good teacher who understands your language learning needs and desires is one of the most important resources and Burmese language learner can have! Although it can be difficult to find a Burmese language instructor, it’s well worth it to have a Myanmar teacher.
BurmeseTutor.com can help you learn Burmese according to your specific needs. If you’re looking for a Burmese teacher, this is your solution! BurmeseTutor.com works with students of all levels, from beginner to advanced, on all subject matters and from all situations. Don’t hesitate to send a message today to set up your first online Burmese lesson!