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September 30, 2011
Spreadsheet programs like Excel can be helpful to many language learners. Not sure how? Here are some ideas.
- Use it to keep track of vocabulary items you memorize. You can put a word or phrase in one column, and its accompanying meaning in the next column. That way, you’ll have a quick reference to check when trying to brush up on vocabulary items you’ve previously gone over.
- Use it to record important phrases. You can use Excel to compile foreign language phrases that you are likely to use often. Just list down the phrase in one column, the translation in your native language in another and, if you have an audio file of the phrase (we recommend recording yourself), embed it in the column next to that.
- Use it to plan your language lessons. Excel’s tabular format works great for planning your lessons and practice in blocks of time. It’s easy to tag when you’ve accomplished a step, too, as well as when you’ve skipped one.
- Use it as a flash card. Put a foreign phrase in the first column, the translation in the second and hide the second. Then, highlight a line and guess what the translation in your native tongue is. Checking can be as simple as unhiding the column. You can then use the rest of the columns to track how well you’ve learned each phrase.
September 27, 2011
If you’re highly skilled at mingling and socializing, you should consider taking advantage of those useful social abilities in your language learning efforts. After all, language study tends to work best when you can match up the learning methods with your personal strengths.
- You might want to enroll in a class. Going to class puts you in a social environment where everyone’s working towards improving their language skills. Your natural predisposition towards interacting can really serve you well in that situation, as you can get plenty of practice and help from your fellow students.
- Opt for a software that puts a premium on practice. If you’re going to buy a language software, look for ones that focus on practice and simulated use of the language. Chances are, you’ll learn best by applying principles and vocabulary early on, compared to other learners.
- Immerse yourself in situations where you’ll need to use the target language. Many language learners will probably freeze up when thrown into a place where they’ll have to use the language. Your well-developed social skills, however, should see you being more comfortable in the same situations, all while helping you wing it during stalled interactions. There’s a good chance you’ll learn best this way, so make a point of exploring this avenue for learning.
September 24, 2011
Traditional methods of language learning — from classroom instruction to private tutoring to listening to audio recordings — remain as viable as they’ve always been. With advancements in technology, though, come new ways of receiving language training.
For the tech-savvy language learner, there are plenty of new avenues for learning you can use to aid in your fluency goals:
Language software. There are more choices for language software now than ever. And they don’t just vary in small ways. Whether you prefer grammar-based learning or practice-intensive lessons, there are titles available for everyone.
Online services. There are also a lot of online-based language services now. Some of them are designed much like desktop-based language software, except you can use them anywhere in the world provided you have access to a web browser. Some of these online services, on the other hand, use more novel strategies that take advantage of the web’s social and dynamic aspects.
Smartphone apps. In the past, mobile learning consisted of either your own journal, a phrasebook, a handheld translator, audio recordings on a portable player or a stack of flash cards in your pocket. Now, all of those things can be made available right from your smartphone, along with a whole host of creative app solutions and access to web-based training modules.
September 22, 2011
How hard is it to learn a language while on the road? Probably not that easy, considering you don’t get a lot of opportunities to sit down and focus attention on your lessons.
Despite the obvious difficulty, learning a new language while on the road is actually a very common scenario, especially for individuals visiting a foreign land. After all, it’s not half as fun visiting a country when you can’t understand a single thing anybody say.
Here are some tips for language learners on the road:
Pick up a phrasebook. You’ll be on buses, planes, trains and other means of transportation a lot of the time, so might as well spend that time memorizing new vocabulary. A pocket-sized phrasebook will play the part wonderfully for that.
Practice a lot. Being in a foreign country exposes you to a host of people who speak your native language, so take the opportunity to practice what you have learned so far. If you’re scared, just use basic pleasantries like greetings. Doing so will help you gain confidence to use more complicated constructions you pick up.
Keep a journal. Write daily notes about your language learning — new phrases you learned, interactions you’ve had and other relevant activities. Take this opportunity for introspection to ponder about mistakes you’ve made, especially with pronunciation and usage, so that you don’t end up internalizing the mistake.
September 21, 2011
Some people say at-home moms are in a great position for language learning. Since they’re indoors most of the day, they can get on the computer to work with their language software any time they need to.
The reality, of course, is often different. With children in the house, it’s probably rare for an at-home mom to have 30 uninterrupted minutes, much less a couple of hours. Add to that having to attend to every issue that comes up in the house and you’ll find yourself having to hustle to get your language lessons in.
Here are some tips for at-home moms who want to pick up a second language:
Find at least one hour to work uninterrupted. Think you can’t spare that hour? Try when the big kids are in school and the small one is sleeping in the afternoon. Or maybe have a neighbor babysit the kid (or kids) for an hour. Or wake up just an hour earlier than you normally do.
Practice with your kids. You’ve probably heard that kids are like sponges to learning new information. If you need to practice your speaking in the target language, do it with them. Just make sure to explain when they ask questions. You might even end up with an instant language learning buddy.
Label your household items. Put stickers on everything in your house — from appliances to kitchen tools. Then, use a marker to write their equivalent names in the target language on the sticker. At the least, it will help you memorize a whole bunch of new words. And, yes, you can put a sticker on your husband’s forehead and label it with the equivalent word. Throw a fit if he says no — always works.
September 19, 2011
Between a full class load and a part-time job, it can be pretty hard to squeeze in language learning for students. Add to that whatever attempt you’re making to get yourself a social life and time may, indeed, be lacking. Don’t be daunted, though — everyone can learn a new language, provided they’re willing to discipline their time and put in the effort.
Here are some ideas:
Enroll in an in-campus class if one’s available. Many language classes are offered in schools, although the schedule might conflict with your own load. If there’s an opportunity to take one that will fit your schedule, though, do it.
Join a club or start one. Anyone can set up a new club in school. That’s why there’s so many of them. If there’s one for speakers of the language you’re trying to learn, join it. If there’s none, start one. Doing so gives you access to people you can practice with — a great help, especially if you’re studying alone with a language software.
Befriend people who speak the target language. The diversity of people you will meet is one of the great things about college. Regardless of what language you want to learn, there’s a good chance that a speaker or two are in your school. Get to know them and use them as a resource person (make it worth their while by offering something in return, of course).
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