July 24, 2009
Some proponents of language learning insist that conscious academe-style attempts at language learning are largely an exercise in futility, with the practice using up so much time better spent elsewhere. Instead of studying grammar and language rules, they’d rather you approach it from a more applied angle – memorizing vocabulary, engaging in interactions and letting it sink in.
Others, however, favor a more systematic approach, treating language study in a more structured manner. Just like regular schoolwork, you pore through lessons, understand the rules and apply them strategically. Whether it be inside a classroom or alone with a language software, the learning is facilitated in an organized manner.
In truth, though, both approaches are just as valid. I’ve met many people who picked up adequate language skills using either one of the two or even both approaches. The particular approach that will work best for you, for the most part, should be a function of opportunity and personal abilities.
Opportunities. If you’re living in a foreign country, for instance, the applied approach might be ideal for you as you will find plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in a language fully. In such a setting, you might indeed be able to easily assimilate the language into your skillset by studying a few simple phrases, observing and mindfully assessing all your local interactions.
Personal Abilities. Some people simply learn best right on the field, while others benefit immensely from formal instruction. Depending on the type of learner you are, it is always best to receive your language instruction in the way that serves your strengths.
July 23, 2009
When conducting research work for any project, having a language translation software on hand is indispensable for many people. This is especially true when you’re trying to draw from as much information as you can, which often requires going through materials about the subject in other languages.
Many businesses, in fact, use machine translators this way. When researching old patents, for instance, they usually employ a language software to go through old filings, trying to see if anything of significance will turn up. In the event that they do find one that’s particularly sensitive, they usually then send it to a human interpreter who can do a more thorough and detailed translation.
Without the aid of a translation tool, researching foreign documents can become an “either-or” proposition, instead of the flexible process it now is. Researchers will have to choose between completely ignoring them (since they can’t understand the language) or bringing in someone who can translate for everything (a serious expense).
This is the main reason why many professional translators also encourage the use of translation software. While some will argue that machine translators can harm their business, they actually do the reverse – it makes it easy for companies and individuals to identify which documents need to be translated. As such, they can allocate proper resources, instead of having to choose between passing on the activity or wasting a good chunk of money on translating documents they may not need.
July 22, 2009
Some people work better with a plan in place. Others, however, get their best results flying off the seat of their pants. Both methods are equally valid, though, I’ve always leaned towards those who work with more structure.
When you have a plan written out, there’s a guideline that you can follow. It’s something that you can work through, regardless of how you’re feeling on a particular day. Without one, you’ll likely just end up putting an entire day to waste as feelings will tend to mirror success for a lot of people who work without a structure.
Putting Together A Plan
A loose plan is better than no plan – that’s my motto for language learning. As such, I always encourage language students to draw a learning plan that they can follow. For those averse to such a structure, I recommend even a simple one, just so they have something to guide them in case they wake up one morning just not in the mood.
If you don’t know how to put one together and are studying the language on your own (as with most people who use a language learning software), you can use the course outline you’re using as reference. Schedule which lessons you can go through for each day (keep it reasonable), then add in “grammar practice” and “structured writing” exercises into the mix, as those two are typically the most successful types of applied training learners can do on their own.
July 21, 2009
We all use different strategies to aid in our language learning pursuits. One of my favorites, especially for those who are more introspective in their approach to study, is to start a language learning diary.
Diaries are efficient tools to bring out your personal feelings and ideas when it comes to language learning and its use. Using one, you can effectively see things which things worked out positively and which ones didn’t, providing you with a possible reference when you’re planning how to proceed in improving your facility for a language.
Seeing Progress
A diary is very helpful in clearing your opinions about different methods of learning. How exactly do you think the last lesson in your language training software helped you out? Did it clarify things or did they lead you to further confusion? Keeping one, you can effectively see how you’ve progressed over time, giving you a more realistic template about what to expect from similar future endeavors.
Practice
As you gain better facility in the language, you can use the diary as a potential practice pad, writing an entry or two in your target vernacular. Even if you use the language incorrectly, it really isn’t that big of a deal – it’s your diary, after all. You can include various types of information in your diary entries, including feedback to current lessons, practice results and your future plans to aid in learning.
July 20, 2009
During the course of learning a new language, you’ll undoubtedly come across many instances of ambiguity – phrases that make no sense, structures that don’t conform to anything you’ve previously encountered and general nuances that escape you. It’s part and parcel of most anyone’s experiences in adapting a new language.
Accepting Ambiguity
The first deal to dealing with ambiguity is to accept it. You will find things that still won’t register even after repeated study and thought. As a language learner, you will need to acquiesce that those instances will happen at nearly every step of the way.
Searching For Meaning
You don’t overcome instances of ambiguity by preventing them from happening – that’s not within your means. The real secret in dealing with it is to continually search for meaning, in spite of the confusion.
Rather than surrender, you will need to keep analyzing the language, finding how various pieces connect to each other and rearranging your understanding so they begin to make sense. There is no system for this – no formal course. You’ll have to work through it on your own, trying to piece the puzzle together until everything fits. It’s a less-rigid form of learning than a class or a language software typically provides.
What To Do
Next time you’re stumped by ambiguous concepts in your language learning, accept it and try to make sense of the issue. However, don’t let it be your main focus. Continue to go through your lessons and practice, all while keeping it in the back of your mind. You’ll come across the answer eventually.
July 19, 2009
Looking for new techniques that can aid you in your language learning efforts? Try these on for size, all of which should prove a good addition through your regular study with a language learning software.
1. Look for patterns in the language.
Some aspects of the language need to be systematically learned, particularly the foundation and those concepts which are new to your experience of communication. Others, however, can be absorbed naturally, largely through stumbling upon patterns of similarity with your first language. The more correspondence that exists in your language and the second language you’re studying, the easier it will be for you to learn it, simply due to the natural connections you can make with their specific patterns.
2. Don’t be afraid to guess.
When listening to a dialogue in the target language and you come across terms that you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to guess what it means, based on the context of your knowledge and the rest of the material. Guessing is an important strategy in language learning, helping you develop confidence in your instincts, as well as allowing you to use it in a less-constricted manner.
3. Practice with yourself.
Almost every language learner I know who has mastered a second language faster than average avidly talks to themselves. We’re not saying to do it while you’re walking down the street and risk looking like a crazy person. However, once in the privacy of your home, it is a very good technique to get practice conversational time, even without having partners to run it off on.
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