Knowing a second language can make you more employable and a better traveler, not to mention provide you with a whole new set of creative (and unintelligible) swear words to use when you accidentally bang your head on a cabinet door.

懂一门第二外语会使你更有资格任职，而且会使你成为一名更好的旅行者，更不用说，当你的脑袋不慎撞到橱柜门的时候，还能为你提供一整套新创（且难以理解的）脏话来使用。

But hanging on to your high school or college Spanish—or French, or German, etc—is a challenge once you're no longer enrolled¹ in classes. Fortunately, with a little effort, you can stay literate² in your language of choice—or even learn a new one.

然而，一旦你不再上课，保留你在高中或大学学习的西班牙语、法语或德语等语言就会是一个挑战。幸运的是，只需要努力一点，你就依然可以读写你选择的语言，甚至是学会一门新的语言。

1. GO MOBILE.

1、使用移动工具。

They're not quite as addictive³ as Candy Crush, but language learning apps are a perfect, productive way to kill time. And because there are so many of them, you can shop around to find one that jives best with your preferred learning style.

他们不像糖果大爆险那样容易上瘾，但是语言学习应用软件是一种用来消磨时间的完美又富有成效的方式。因为有那么多同类软件，你可以货比三家，去找最贴合你首选学习方式的那一款。

If you're not sure where to start, consider one of these highly rated standouts: Memrise was founded by an expert in mnemonic techniques, and is designed to not just teach a language, but to cement it in your memory. This makes it a great choice if you need to improve your vocabulary.

如果你不确定从哪里开始，那就考虑一下这些评分较高的软件中的一个：Memrise是一位专家用记忆术创建而成的，它的目的不只是用来教授一门语言，而且还会加强你的记忆。如果你需要扩大词汇量，它会是一个不错的选择。

Or try Duolingo, which takes an entertaining and holistic⁴ approach to learning a language; it teaches not only reading and writing but listening and speaking (i.e. it's a perfect travel tool).

或者试一下Duolingo，它是用一种有趣又全面的方式来学习一门语言，不仅教授阅读和写作，而且还教授听力和口语（也就是说它是一个理想的出行工具）。

2. FIND A CONVERSATION PARTNER, OR SEVERAL.

2、找一个或几个会话伙伴。

Join a local group to connect and chat with fellow students of your desired language, and get in some regular conversational⁵ practice. Or, find a virtual convo partner on a site like Conversation Exchange; native speakers of other languages who want to practice their English will be happy to trade small talk with you over Skype.

加入一个当地小组，去和那些正在学习你渴望的那门语言的同学联系、交谈，并参加一些常规会话练习。或者，在交流对话一类的网站上找一个虚拟的会话伙伴；以其他语言为母语的人想要练习英语，他们会乐于和你在Skype上聊天的。

3. READ, WATCH, LISTEN.

3、读、看、听。

If you're reasonably literate in your language of choice, consider picking up a favorite children's book (or audio book) in translation. Harry⁶ Potter, for example, is available in 68 different languages. And next time you're Netflix-binging, browse⁷ for foreign films that you can watch with English subtitles⁸, or re-watch a favorite show with overdubbed audio.

如果你选择的语言，你已经掌握到一定的程度，那就考虑选择一本你最喜爱的儿童读物（或有声读物）译本来读。例如《哈利波特》，它已经被翻译成68种不同的语言。下次你在网飞公司挑选影片时，浏览一下那些你可以观看的有英文副标题的外国影片，或者重新观看你最喜欢的一部有配音的演出。

4. TAKE THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH.

4、采用传统的方式。

Language classes are an investment in terms of both time and money, but they remain an effective way to learn, and especially to practice speaking, a language with some expert guidance. Community colleges or continuing education programs offer a variety of language classes, including ones with a fun focus on literature, film, or even food. And depending on where you live and what you want to study, you may be able to link up with a center like the French Institute Alliance Francaise, which offers not just classes but community and cultural events where you can practice chatting.

从时间和金钱的方面来考虑，语言班都是一项投资，但是它们依然是一种有效的学习方式，尤其是在一些专家的指导下来练习口语。社区大学或继续教育项目提供了多种语言班，包括以文学、电影，甚至是食物为重点的有趣课程。这取决于你住在哪儿，你想学什么，你也许能与一个像法国文化协会一样的组织联系起来，它不仅能为你提供课程，而且能为你提供练习交流的社区和文化动态。