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December 31, 2011
If you’ve been studying a language for a few months, you might want to volunteer some of your time to teaching beginners learning the same language. Teaching others is one of the best ways to really internalize everything you’ve studied of the language so far.
Not sure where you can volunteer for this? Here are some ideas:
- Local language learning schools. Get a list of the local language classes in your area. Contact each one and ask if there’s any opportunity to volunteer in any capacity. Whether as a teaching assistant or a practice group facilitator, you could really hone your language skills doing this type of work.
- Form a practice group. If you don’t have an existing practice group, you could form one and recruit fellow learners. Welcome even absolute newbies in if you’re serious about tutoring. Got an existing group? Ask other members for permission to recruit newer learners.
- Teach online. You can join an online forum for language learning and teach by helping out other posters there with their questions. You can also teach others by starting your own blog and writing for many online outlets. Granted, you’ll need to refine your writing skills a little if you want to be effective, but it’s another excellent way to internalize what you’ve learned.
December 29, 2011
Looking to study German? Here are some reasons why that’s a good idea.
- German has the largest number of speakers in the EU. If you’re spending time in any of those countries, it gives you the best chance of interacting with the most people.
- Are you the academic type? Then learning German can only help you. It is, after all, the second most-commonly used scientific language in the world. Plus, close to 20% of all books in the world, from fields as varied as philosophy, engineering and medicine, are published in German.
- Germany is the second largest exporting nation in the world, edged out only by China starting 2010. As such, German companies are a valuable trade partner in many industries.
- Like movies? The German-speaking world has produced a highly-acclaimed body of work in the film industry. Obviously, you’ll understand them better if you speak the language.
- You know why a lot of Japanese barely understand any English? Because majority of students there (close to 70%) choose to study German as their second language. That’s how valuable the language is to a country whose primary export is technology.
- If you already speak English, German won’t be too hard to get into. Both languages have many similarities, both in their vocabulary and grammar forms.
December 28, 2011
There has never been a more important time to learn Chinese. If you’re not yet convinced, though, maybe this list will. And, yes, this list is serious.
- One-fifth of all the people on Earth speak Chinese. If you want to best communicate with that billion or so people, learning their language is your best bet.
- Chinese isn’t just spoken in China and Taiwan. Large communities of people all around Asia speak it, too. If you plan to travel to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei and Indonesia, it’s a skill that could come in handy.
- China is the second largest economy in the world. If you plan to have a career in anything, there’s a good chance you’ll be dealing with their people at some point.
- Being a massive economy, China is bound to play a major role in future world affairs. You may want to understand what those people on TV are saying sometimes, instead of relying on the condensed English interpretation.
- Many Western companies do business in China. Some even have fixed assets and long-term investments there. If a company you want to work for is one of them, knowing Chinese could be your ace in the hole.
- Over the next few years, dealing with Chinese people will be a critical business skill. Wouldn’t you like to be endowed with such a sparkling item in your resume?
December 26, 2011
One of the first things people try when learning a new language is to just rely on free online sources. There are plenty of them, after all. However, are they really enough to help you learn the language adequately?
After having searched through Youtube and similar video sites, numerous language training websites, vocabulary-building Flash games, language blogs, slideshow tutorials and other resources, I’m confident there is enough material online to get you up to a high level of skill. Problem is, the material is generally disorganized and you’ll have to work twice as hard to sort out what you need to work on.
If you enjoy designing your own language learning program, digging through gigabytes of content and figuring things out on your own, then using free online resources will probably be good enough for you. Do note that you’ll have to do your own research about strategies and approaches to use, too, so it’s more than just sitting back and taking in lessons — you end up being the one preparing your lesson plans, as well.
Contrast that to picking up a language software package where everything has been prepared for you. All you have to do is sit back, follow the lessons and perform the prescribed exercises. Can you learn a new language relying on just free online sources? Most definitely. Will you have an easy time doing it? Um…
December 23, 2011
Is language learning via software best accomplished with a desktop program you can use in your home? I believe so. So far, any online- or mobile-based courses I’ve seen don’t quite set themselves up as any better than the desktop-based titles I’ve used in the past.
However, that doesn’t mean they’re not useful. If you’re an active outdoors-type of person who can’t really stay at home for extended periods, then more mobile options for language learning might serve you well enough. A smartphone and a willingness to devote some of those dead time can help you can get a headstart on a language.
Here are some suggestions:
Audio programs. You can download many language audio programs from iTunes for under $10 per module. This can be a great way to get exposed to a new language, as the cost is very minimal, yet more cohesive than many of the free resources you can get online.
Quick references. There are a lot of apps designed as quick references for those traveling in a foreign country. You can use them to look up phrases to memorize and add to your vocabulary.
Flash cards. If you use flash cards, you should try one of the many free browser-based offerings out there. They’re usually good enough for the purposes of memorizing language elements.
December 22, 2011
About to start training to learn a new language? Here are four things to tick off the to-do list first.
- Read up about past learners’ experiences. Do a search on the internet for articles abut previous learners’ experiences with the same target language. Read a few of them. Doing so should give you a realistic picture of what to expect.
- Organize your schedule. Make sure to integrate the language training into your schedule. If you don’t, you’ll just end up skipping classes, postponing software sessions and foregoing practice with a cornucopia of excuses.
- Get your tools ready. If you’re taking a class, ask the instructor what things you’ll need to get, such as a notebook, a phrasebook or any other material. If you’re doing home lessons (like a language software or an audio program), get the materials recommended in the program (they’ll usually give it early).
- Develop a plan for practice. You can do all the lessons you want. If you don’t practice, however, you’re going to have a hard time internalizing all the language elements you study and memorize. Draw up a list of the things you can do for practice, so you can plan for them before starting your regular lessons.
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