How to Learn to Speak Polish
Polish, the official language of Poland, is the most common West Slavic language. Polish is spoken by over 40 million people, with 97 percent of Poland's residents speaking it as their native tongue. Many individuals in the United States speak Polish, making up a quarter of a percent of the U.S. population. Learn how to speak Polish to expand your dialectical horizons and to communicate with other Polish speakers.
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Instructions
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Obtain Polish language study material. One of the most widely used language learning courses is offered by the Rosetta Stone Company (see Resources). Depending on your learning style, you also may benefit from Polish-language audio CDs and books. A combination of computer software, books and audio CDs can help to maximize an individual's learning potential and experience.
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Follow the steps and schedules for your respective Polish-language learning course. Each step in the language course, whether it's the Rosetta Stone Company's kit or a simple study book, is designed to build on the preceding lessons. Focus on completing at least one lesson per day so that you do not forget previous material and can advance your learning as quickly as possible.
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Focus on Polish's unique pronunciation of the alphabet. Listen to an audio representation of a Polish word and mimic it, enunciating each vowel and consonant. Pay attention to its different sounds. For example, the "A" letter in Polish sounds like "ah." Pronunciation is the building block of learning a foreign language, and English speakers may have difficulty transitioning to a new format. Consistency throughout your enunciation is key.
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Practice your Polish in front of a mirror. Watch how your mouth moves to enunciate each word. Break a Polish word apart into separate sounds and watch the shape your lips make. When stringing the sounds back together, ensure your mouth reproduces the shape you were previously making. This can help you to focus on clear pronunciation.
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Record yourself speaking Polish using an tape recorder or your computer. Listen to the recording and note areas of your pronunciation that need improvement. When you are speaking, you typically cannot hear yourself accurately.
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Immerse yourself in the language. Ask a Polish-speaking friend to speak in Polish to you in order to force you to think beyond rote memorization and study guides. Alternatively, volunteer at a local Polish community center or similar Polish hubs of activity to implement your language learning in a real-world environment.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider taking a course at your local community college to enhance your learning with guidance from a trained instructor. Don't be afraid to make mistakes when practicing Polish. Throw yourself wholeheartedly into speaking the language. You will naturally begin to correct any mistakes you make. Being fearful can slow your learning, because you may linger for too long on early lessons and steps.
