Learning How to Think in a New Language

Second language strategies to take advantage of your inner thoughts

Welcome, aspiring polyglot! People have been asking recently if it is possible to really think in a new language. The view around here is, of course, not only can you think in a new language, if you truly want to be bilingual you must think in a new language. While there are several approaches to getting to that point, there is one thing that works better than most others.

This is where mainstream classrooms let their students down. Best case scenario in the public education industry you learn how to memorize and regurgitate phrases or translate sentences directly indefinitely. Translating your thoughts is good, but it does not have to be the final step.

Step by step mental chess

The perfect way to train yourself to think in your target language is by playing mental chess. Some people might call this something else, but I like the term mental chess because that is really what you are doing. Playing out conversations in your head, in advance, complete with multiple hypothetical responses. Here is what it looks like in steps: