February 8, 2010
Every person I know will have their own preferences about the best way to go about learning a new language. My wife, for instance, can’t commend her French classes at Alliance Francaise enough; my own experiences, on the other hand, has led me to sing the praises of software-based language training to high heavens.
When you decide to learn a new language, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of choice available. The avenues are definitely aplenty and things can get confusing fast. Each one will have a different approach to the process, implement their own materials and follow their own procedures. Deciding on which one to take can really give you fits.
Consider this list of possible methods:
- situational language learning
- audio-based language learning
- communication-based language learning
- software-based language instruction
- adapting styles based on student’s learning tendencies
- total immersion approach
- simulated immersion approach
Overwhelming, right? And that’s even far from being a comprehensive list. Imagine if you really went out to research them one by one – you’ll probably end up paralyzed with the amount of choices.
So, what’s a confused, novice language learner to do? My suggestion is to try to dabble first, while trying to gauge which approach works best for you. We’re not saying to invest tons of money on everything – far from it. Instead, take a local night class, use a trial software and try some free online materials to see which ones you best respond to. There are many ways to try the different avenues of learning without having to fully commit. Try them out until you find one that fits.
November 28, 2009
Are you a right-brainer who’s trying to learn a second language? There are some things that come naturally to creative and intuitive individuals like you which you can use to boost your training.
1. Use a language acquisition software (or enroll in a course) that is based around either communicative techniques or immersive learning. Traditional grammar-based instructions are only likely to end up flying over your head.
2. If you’re designing your own learning program (incorporating numerous materials, for example), get help. Many of the skills required to make such preparations are left-brained by nature. As such, there’s a good chance you’ll end up drawing up inadequate plans and activities.
3. Incorporate plenty of opportunities for interaction with your learning, especially ones that call for innovation and creativity. Remember, you tend to learn best when employing your strengths.
4. Use your imagination to your advantage by integrating it when memorizing vocabulary, practicing speech and other activities.
5. Use your intuition to your advantage. Learn to trust your instincts when guessing the meaning of certain words and phrases. When practicing your speaking skills, don’t hold back. Chances are good that you’re doing it right. Even if you’re not, nobody’s watching.
6. Use visual and auditory stimulation to aid your studies. Pictures, music and art can be very beneficial tools for someone of your temperament.
October 21, 2009
When you’re communicating for business purposes, being a professional isn’t optional. That holds true whether you’re interacting with English-speaking colleagues or with those whose English proficiency are at a less than optimal level.
Of course, projecting an air of professionalism is not as easy when you’re conversing in a foreign tongue. Regardless, you should do everything within your power to bring a professional tone to your interactions. For instance, you can:
- Learn the basics of professional business communication in the language. Many foreign language software specifically target business communicators. You may not be able to completely grasp the nuances of a vernacular, especially one that’s industry-specific, but knowing how to show tact and respect can go a long way.
- If you hold correspondences in written form, such as email, have someone knowledgeable proofread it. Use a language checking software, if necessary.
- Know the local customs. Do they expect calls to be returned promptly? Is it acceptable to put it off for a day? Get acquainted with how they conduct business and arrange to be able to fulfill those expectations.
When you communicate in a professional manner, it fosters an image that reflects both on you and your organization. That’s true whether that picture paints you in a good or bad light.
April 13, 2009
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April 2, 2009
When talk of translation services arise, the issue of whether it is wiser to use a translation software or a human translator always comes up. The question, however, is a really bad one to ask. How can a machine ever be better than a human in such a field?
Software translators, while being an economical alternative to human translation services, can hardly match-up. In fact, instead of being a replacement, they’re usually employed as a lower-cost way to create a first draft. In situations where an in-depth conversion from one language to another isn’t necessary, a language translation software is usually enough to facilitate the required results. For those where the quality of translation can result in dire consequences, however, relying on software is wholly inappropriate.
Taxpayers’ Money Saved
Federal facilities are among the most poignant examples of organizations that enjoy tremendous benefits from a language translation software. Instead of hiring a professional consultant, whose services never comes cheap, for routine documents like circulars and announcements, organizations can just employ a software-based solution.
Many government offices, including police, military, health services and local agencies, now include software translators among their most useful tools. Instead of hiring a translator to translate a suspect’s legal paper, for instance, some precints now employ a translation software. At the least, it offers a good first draft, which can later determine whether bringing in a full-fledged interpreter is necessary.
The Right Question
Instead of asking whether a software translator can match up with its human counterpart, a better path would be to determine which functions can be served by an automated solution and which ones will need a qualified professional’s expertise. If software can do the job, after all, why bother spending more?
March 7, 2009
Some languages are definitely easier to learn than others. While the intricacies of a particular language will have a lot to do with it, so will other factors that play a big role in how well you pick up on a new parlance. To put it simply, there are languages that are easier to learn but it depends on many factors that go beyond mere words, phrases and enunciations.
Your native language plays the first big role in the ease with which you can fit into the collar of a new language. If your first tongue is English, for instance, it will definitely play a major factor in whether you learn faster similar Germanic languages (such as Dutch) or a totally unrelated one like Chinese. The grammar structure, word pronunciations, tones and borrowed vocabulary can all make learning a new language easier if they share attributes in common with your own.
Regardless of what tongue you’re looking to delve into, however, it’s a fact that it’s now easier to learn languages than 10 or 20 years ago. Modern language software applications are now extremely sophisticated and facilitate learning in ways similar products weren’t able to accomplish before.
For English speakers looking to familiarize themselves with a new language (without having anything specific in mind), it will be considerably easier to learn closely related languages like Norwegian, Swedish or Dutch as well as loosely related ones such as Welsh, Russian and Greek. Much more challenging, even with the help of language learning software, will be those that share totally nothing in common with it, such as Arabic or Japanese.
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