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October 30, 2010
If you’re studying a foreign language for use in business and professional purposes, then it makes perfect sense to focus strictly on materials that were designed for business learning. Same goes when you want to study a language for academe or when you want to learn one for an upcoming vacation.
Make a list of the specific situations you want to use a language in. Then, try to dig up materials that will help you to be conversant in those.
Primary Learning Material
Whether you’re taking a class or using a language program, make a point of choosing your primary learning material based on the aforementioned goals. Sure, you can use general-purpose language lessons to brush you up for your upcoming business meetings, but wouldn’t ones specifically geared towards corporate and professional uses be more beneficial? There are specialized classes and language software designed to fulfill individual goals, too, so you shouldn’t have too much of a hard time in your search.
Secondary Learning Materials
You should do the same with your secondary learning materials. Want to stock up on language videos you can watch to help make those corporate meetings less of a mind-numbing exercise? Try business presentations in the target language. Same with audio files, documents and other business-related items you can review when trying to grow your language skills.
October 26, 2010
Consistency and engagement are two important qualities that can play a big part in how well you’re able to learn a language. While they’re obviously not the “end-all-be-all” of language learning, there is real value in cultivating them to gain better results in your studies.
Consistency
By consistency, we’re referring to keeping up your end by working regularly with the language. That means scheduling your lessons and getting them on time, reviewing your materials, and practicing on a regular basis.
Learning a second language doesn’t happen by accident. You need to put in the work, dedicating ample time to all activities involved. This is one of the reasons why an all-in-one language software works great for majority of people, as it allows them to manage their time much better.
Engagement
Remember back in school, when you can hop to class everyday and pass the exams, yet finish the semester feeling like you never really learned anything? That can happen with language learning, too.
Often, the problem comes down to one of engagement. If you don’t actively participate when you study, it’s hard to commit any of the lessons to memory. This is why you should really take your time when trying to find a language software to work with. You want one that will engage you and play to your strengths, so that you gain the full benefits of all the lessons you take.
October 19, 2010
Just because you have access to an excellent language software, that doesn’t mean you can’t gain benefits from using other available resources. Here are four online services designed to help students work on their target foreign languages.
- Byki. This website offers 74 different languages, along with tons of content, including a desktop and mobile software. The basic modules are free and can prove helpful as a secondary material for your own language efforts.
- Lingolook. Designed as a quick reference for traveling language learners, this consists of a series of flashcards (with accompanying audio) compiled as an iPhone app. While no way can a tool like this serve as a primary learning tool, it is an excellent companion especially when you’re looking for a little learning on the road.
- Vocabfish. A web-based tool for learning 10 different languages, they focus on vocabulary building. They have around 2,000 common words on stock for each language, which they’ll teach you via a flashcard-style web interface.
- iTalki. Designed to function as a community hub, this site connects people around the world who are interested in learning a new language. Both students and teachers frequent the site, so you can find new friends to set up language exchanges with, as well as experts who can give you private lessons.
October 16, 2010
When it comes to learning a second language, is it better to take the self-taught path or is it more beneficial to go into a classroom setting? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always a clear-cut “yes” or “no.”
Good and Bad
Just as there are language education software that are good, there are titles that are also bad. Similarly, the same variance in quality exists between different foreign language classes.
Regardless of which one you choose, always perform due diligence in finding out about the specific software or class you’re planning to do. Not every one is the same, after all. Request information about the program and seek feedback from other learners who’ve used them before making your decision.
The Case for Classrooms
Classroom learning is ideal if you prefer learning with a group and if you draw better results with a teacher guiding you. If you find it difficult to get motivated studying on your own, then classroom language programs are a godsend.
The Case for Language Software
If you’re self-motivated and have had experience acquiring a skill on your own, then language software might be more up your alley. It also offers the most flexibility, allowing you to arrange your sessions according to your professional and business schedule.
October 14, 2010
Different language software make different promises when it comes to the speed in which they can help you learn a second language. Some titles promise decent facility in moths, some swear they can help you in weeks and others vow to impart you with new knowledge in hours.
No, really, hours.
And I don’t think they’re lying either. I’ve seen some reviews of one particular software and, according to those users, they’ve been able to build up a decent vocabulary of 100 words (some reported a little more) in just under three hours. Of course, much of the gains from such an approach are likely to plateau shortly after that. However, that fact doesn’t diminish the impressiveness of 100 words in three hours any less.
Personally, I’m not a fan of trying to take in that much vocabulary in such a short time. For the most part, cramming that much information tends to make it a passive, rather than active, part of your language stock.
Given the choice, I’d rather take a on a language training software with a more moderate approach to the study. Five or so new vocabulary items per session that I can really sink my teeth into sound more up my alley and is more feasible for my own learning preferences.
October 5, 2010
Different language software will have different types of approaches for helping you memorize vocabulary. For the most part, it will depend on the particular strategy the program takes. Hopefully, you did adequate research before purchasing, so that it’s a good fit to your preferred learning styles.
Sometimes, integrating a foreign term into your vocabulary requires rote memorization. Other times, in-depth understanding is much more apt. It’s important to know how much effort you should invest when trying to add a new item to your stock, as it’s your best chance at being able to use it actively.
- A random word. Rote memorization is fine when trying to commit words to your vocabulary. The more you encounter it, though, whether for actual use during conversations or when reading foreign publications, the more it’s likely to stick.
- A random phrase. Personally, I prefer learning phrases, as opposed to words. Not only does memorizing phrases force you to learn several words at a time, it also tends to have a more memorable context than individual words.
- A random fact. Strictly memorization, with no understanding or context needed.
- Grammar rules. Memorizing some grammar rules can be useful for expanding your vocabulary, especially ones that govern prefixes, suffixes and word combinations. Knowing the guidelines for word formations, you can come up with communicate with better precision and clarity.
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