|
October 29, 2011
They say you can learn a lot about a language from seeing the places where it is spoken. While people probably meant actually visiting the place, you can also try a virtual tour if that’s all you can afford right now. How? With Google’s Street View.
Will it really help with language learning? Personally, I’m on the fence. On the one hand, you’re not really interacting with anyone, just looking at close-up pictures of a city. On the other, it gives you plenty of insights into the culture of the people there and exposes you to a lot of everyday signs written in the target language.
If you’re learning a new language, I suggest giving Google Street View a try. Set aside an hour to explore a city that speaks your target language as a native vernacular, just checking out the different things the camera managed to snap. If you’ve been studying the language for at least a couple of months, you’ll likely recognize some words and phrases, as well as make some connections between some language element and the places.
You can also turn it into a vocabulary game. Check out a street and look for interesting things, then search the word for them in your language software. Chances are, you’ll end up learning a few new words along the way, all while exploring a new place without ever leaving your computer.
October 28, 2011
Whether you realize it or not, Google can prove to be a very useful tool for language learners. While it probably won’t make for an effective primary learning material, there are many things you can do with the powerful search engine that allows it to be a handy go-to resource.
- Search examples of vocabulary items in use. You’ve memorized a new German phrase, but aren’t sure in what contexts to use it? Go to Google and type in the phrase. What you’ll get are results of documents that use that exact phrase in sentences, allowing you to get a clear idea of when and how it is used. Can’t understand the rest of a sentence? Go to Google Translate and see what it means.
- Use Google Image. Come across a word you don’t understand? Type it in Google’s Image Search and you’re likely to see pictures of what the word means. Yep, photographic images that are way more descriptive than any dictionary definition can ever hope for. Make sure you set the URL to point to the country that speaks the target language natively to ensure best results.
- Use Google to correct your grammar. This one’ s probably more suited to non-beginners, but is helpful all the same. If you’re uncertain whether you’re using the right grammatical form for a word or phrase (e.g. you have the wrong gender), you can search all alternative forms in Google (with the URL changed to the country the language is from). The goal is not to get a straight “yes” or “no” on which one is correct. Instead, you’ll merely check how many results what you entered gets. If there’s a lot, then it’s probably correct; otherwise, it’s probably wrong (which is why native speakers don’t use it).
October 27, 2011
It’s important to learn proper pronunciation early in your second language training. Not doing so can establish wrong pronunciations that you’ll find extremely difficult to shake off down the line.
Different experts suggest a varying range of approaches to learning proper pronunciation. These three, however, are the core things every language learner should start doing from the moment they begin their lessons.
- Learn the alphabet and component sounds. Getting your head around the target language’s alphabet and component sounds will help you make sense of why words are pronounced the way they are. Chances are, you’ll be able to replicate pronunciations better after hearing them, too.
- Pronounce new words slowly. If you’re having trouble with a word, start by mouthing it in a deliberate and slow pace, sounding out each syllable. While this won’t make you sound like a native speaker, it allows you to learn word pronunciation correctly — you can adjust the speed later once you gain a good grasp of the word.
- Parrot native speakers. Pick a subject who can speak the language and copy that person. It doesn’t have to be your teacher — a French actor in a French movie can be just as useful to model for improving your pronunciation.
October 26, 2011
One of the ways I like to improve skills on a foreign language is by reading for fun. No, I’m not referring to even more vocabulary or language skills books. Instead, you can read anything that could be really fun for you — like a mystery novel or a fashion magazine that’s written in the target language.
Why do this? There are many good reason, actually.
- It’s a no-pressure way to expand your language skills. Unlike lessons, there’s no fixed modules you have to finish or speaking goals you’ll have to accomplish. You’re reading for fun, so you can start, stop and start back any time you please.
- It can be enjoyable. This is a great way to find published gems you’ll otherwise never even pay attention to. If you take to reading as a regular hobby, then this should feel just as natural, even if the language isn’t.
- It exposes you to cultural elements beyond language. Books and magazines tend to chronicle life in the source country in ways that most tour guides and language training software don’t really pay attention to. You’ll see what kinds of problems those people face, how they deal with conflict and the ways n which they interact.
October 24, 2011
Want to master a foreign language’s vocabulary? If you do, you’ll probably need to do some activities on top of your regular language software lessons. Here are three of them:
Create your own table of difficult words. Pull up Excel and create a new worksheet to use as a table of notable words you encounter. Pretty much any word you want can go in here, although we recommend keeping it for those that you won’t exactly find yourself using on a frequent basis.
Use thematic dictionaries. If you want to learn the foreign language for business use, pick up a business dictionary. For studying at an art university? Find an art dictionary. When using a thematic dictionary, don’t go through it like a regular textbook, memorizing the thing from cover to cover. Instead, use it as reference while listening to lectures, reading websites and doing other activities related to the field in the foreign language.
Flash cards. While you can use flash cards in your computer, I suggest using index cards or a smartphone flash card app that you can bring along during commutes. That way, you won’t be tied to your home or office computer when putting in additional vocabulary memorizing.
October 22, 2011
Getting bored with your language lessons? It could be you’re not challenging yourself enough.
Regardless of what software you’re using to study a language, you need adequate stimulation to keep yourself on the ball. When the lessons and exercises are too easy, you’re going to slack off. If you want to be on top of your game, it’s important to deliberately seek out things that can challenge you for a while.
This usually isn’t a problem early on. Having zero knowledge of a language, everything you get feels new. At some point, though, you’re going to settle into a groove and you have to watch out for when you’re doing your lessons on automatic.
What can you do when you realize you need a little more challenge?
- Change your primary learning materials. Don’t make a drastic change like enroll in an expensive class or anything like that. Instead, pick up something that isn’t going to require too much of an expense, like using a free language learning website or trying a second-hand book for a couple of weeks.
- Jump to more difficult lessons. If the current lessons in the sequence are too easy, try skipping to more difficult portions of your language software. You can return to the ones you skip later.
- Use the language. If there are available opportunities to use the language (e.g. you’re in a foreign country), drop your lessons and hit the streets. The change of pace, along with the challenge of overcoming obstacles to communication, should do you good.
|
