You've finally decided to start learning Bosnian, but immediately, questions arise: Is Bosnian hard to learn? How do I learn Bosnian? Where do I even begin? This alarm often goes off not only for absolute beginners but also for students who may have previously learned or heard a few phrases in Bosnian.
The good news is you’re in the right place. We, at Bosnian2go, a language school specializing in teaching Bosnian as a foreign language, offer group and individual lessons for students of all levels, teaching them how to easily apply our language strategies and tips in practice.
In this blog, we’ll share with you 5 effective methods that will help you get started with learning Bosnian, all of which have proven successful over our 9+ years of teaching Bosnian.
1. Start with the Basics (Alphabet and Pronunciation)
Spelling and pronunciation are relatively easy in Bosnian because our language follows phonetic principles: Read as you write, and write as you speak. This means that letter represents one sound, and every word is spelled exactly as it is pronounced. Bosnian uses two alphabets: Cyrillic and Latin (Roman). Both alphabets consist of 30 letters, and only three sounds are represented by two letters: lj, nj, and dž.
The most challenging part for students learning Bosnian as a foreign language is often how to correctly pronounce č and ć, as well as dž and đ, and understanding the difference between these sounds. Our language has a fairly sharp pronunciation, but the simplest way to explain this is by saying that č and dž has a harder pronunciation, while đ and ćhas a softer pronunciation. In the end, to be honest, even Bosnians don’t always pay attention to this rule when speaking, so there’s no need to worry too much about it. 🙂
2. Learn the Basic Grammatical Characteristics of the Language (Gender and Verb Conjugation)
We know you often wonder whether you are visiting ‘Sarajevo’ or ‘Sarajevu', or if you should say ‘pijem kafa' or ‘pijem kafu’. Don’t worry, we'll let you dive into the fascinating world of grammar a bit later (because, of course, everything comes back to grammatical cases!). But if you've decided to start learning Bosnian, it can feel overwhelming or even frustrating at first.
One of the most important concepts to understand in Bosnian is gender (masculine, feminine, and neutral) and verb conjugation. Gender is the foundation for further learning and understanding Bosnian grammar. On the other hand, verb conjugation is essential for everyday life and communication. Here’s the thing: if you make a mistake with a case, people will absolutely still understand you. However, if you make a mistake with a verb, there's a good chance people will look at you confused. So, when you start learning Bosnian, it’s important to know that there are certain grammatical basics you must master to gradually build your language skills. And that’s why we will cover these topics in upcoming blog posts.
3. Use Flashcards
If you really want to learn Bosnian – or any language, in fact – you need to be highly organized in your studies, because we firmly believe in the saying: "Organization is half the work." Flashcards allow you to feel more confident using new vocabulary or phrases, and the "spaced repetition" system helps you retain words in the long term. This is one of the reasons we created our own pocket-sized flashcards for those who want to learn Bosnian, whether for necessity or just for fun. Flashcards are particularly helpful if you prefer self-study of words or phrases to assist you while in BCS-speaking countries, instead of traditional learning methods. Contact us and order your first 2GO set now! 🙂
4. Engaging with the Local Culture
By exploring Bosnian traditions, history, and cuisine, you can deepen your understanding of the language and its cultural context. Although your level of Bosnian might not fully support these topics at some point, it’s very important to find motivation and a deeper connection to the language learning process. Once you learn that burek is only with meat, you're ready for the adventure of learning Bosnian!
5. Enrol in a Bosnian Language Course
Finally, of course, if possible, enrolling in a course is the best option if you prefer structured learning. At Bosnian2go, we offer amazing online courses, held in real time, so you can study from anywhere, even from the comfort of your own home. Choose group classes if you're more interested in meeting new people, sharing experiences, and working in teams. Alternatively, opt for individual lessons if you have a specific learning style and want to focus on particular areas, with your Bosnian2go instructor giving you personal attention. Our courses are designed to help students improve their speaking and comprehension skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the Bosnian culture and lifestyle. If you decide to go with this option you won’t regret it! 🙂
To conclude...
Learning Bosnian can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. By using these techniques, your progress in learning the language will be faster and more efficient. Don’t give up, and with time, you’ll see great results. What are you waiting for? Contact us to schedule your first free one-on-one class today! HAJMO 🙂
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