January 20, 2012
Myth 1: Software-based lessons aren’t as good as classroom ones.
A decade ago, I may have agreed vehemently with this. Since a couple years ago, though, I have to disagree. The evolution of language training software is among the most impressive I’ve seen for any type of educational software. I’ve been to beginner-level training in both software and classrooms. In terms of material, they’re just as good. In terms of helping you learn quickly, the flexibility of software tools edge out classroom instruction easily.
Myth 2: Software-based language learning isn’t for serious learners.
On the contrary, I’ve met a lot of serious language learners who use software. In fact, the few times I’ve enrolled in classroom training, almost half the class were bored professionals who were there because their company required them to. Seldom have I seen people training with a language software do so begrudgingly.
Myth 3: Software-based learners don’t get enough practice.
While this could be true to some extend, it could be equally true for classroom learners. Practice is seldom integrated in classroom teaching, most of which is spent teaching vocabulary and pronunciation. For the most part, students will be responsible for their own practice, which is why we encourage people to either join or form a language club.
Myth 4: Language software only teach grammar and vocabulary.
This was true of early efforts in language training software. These days, however, there is plenty of variety in the kinds of approaches language learning title take. Regardless of your learning preferences, we guarantee you will find something that suits it.
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.
September 15, 2011
In an ideal world, all of us will have dedicated language tutors walking us through the intricacies of a language. Suffice to say, though, that a scenario like that will probably be out of reach for majority of people.
One of the biggest issues for many language learners is cost: how much money will they need to spend in order to adequately learn a language? Not everyone has bottomless pockets, after all, so finding the balance between cost and results is something you should concern yourself with.
Cost-effectiveness is one of the reasons students cite when they choose language learning software over other mediums. You pay once and you get yourself a tool that you can use many times over. Plus, not only are most current language software comprehensive, they’re usually optimized for really learning a language, given how flexible software can be.
Before you commit to a language program, factor in the cost and the likely results you can glean each offering. The most expensive language training software isn’t always going to be the most effective for you, so do your research and take trial offers whenever they’re available.
How about settling for the cheapest? Well, that’s your call. Most of the time, though, you’re trading in effectiveness for cost, considering the amount of effort that’s likely been put in low-cost language programs.
September 14, 2011
Different people require different approaches to learning. Chances are, you’ve been clued in to this long ago, after spending loads of time taking standardized lessons through many years in school. If you want to maximize the benefits you reap from your language software, you better make sure it takes the kind of approach that plays well to your strengths.
How is the material presented? Some language software favor interactive exchanges, while others will have you sitting down for a lesson that’s followed by exercises. Neither of those approaches is better than the other, but you’ll probably work best with one, depending on your personal preferences.
How is the pace? If you’re a slow learner, a software that aims to rush the student through fluency probably isn’t the best match. On the other hand, a slow-paced learning program can end up boring you if you’re the type to pick things up at a faster rate.
What kinds of learning mediums do you work with best? Is it video, audio, text or a combination of all three? Some people work best with video, while others can find it distracting. Make sure you try the software first and see how the presentation works for you.
September 13, 2011
If you’re going to pay for a language software, it’s a good idea to figure out if it’s exactly what you will need. Here are things you want to know to make sure.
What level is it aimed at? If you’re a beginner, you wouldn’t want a software that assumes some amount of basic familiarity with the language. Those who have a foundation, on the other hand, will probably not be served by more 101 lessons. You want to know the level of speaking ability the software is designed to work with.
What applications is it best for? Some language software are geared towards general use, while others are aimed for more specialized applications. If you want to use the target language for business, then one whose material covers mostly language for tourists probably won’t serve you as well as you’d like.
Does it cover reading and writing? Most language software are aimed towards speaking and oral comprehension. As such, if you intend to learn reading and writing as well, you have to invest in a software that’s designed to cover those areas.
Do you want to memorize phrases or do you want a deep understanding of the language? If you want a deeper grasp of the language beyond memorized vocabulary, then a software that goes heavy on grammar lessons might be more along your lines.
September 5, 2011
If you look at language from a native speaker’s perspective, all languages should be equal in difficulty. After all, kids learn their native tongues pretty rapidly during the normal course of their lives. Unless one language presents an unusual challenge to those children born into the language, they really are pretty even.
When you look at it from a non-native adult’s perspective, though, then things should be different. By this point, your brain has already made the connections between language and the world in your mother tongue. Retooling it to reflect a second (or third or fourth) language isn’t just about working with a blank slate. In many ways, it’s about making old knowledge find a way of connecting with the new.
The more a target language has in common with your own language, the easier it should be to learn. When two languages share common elements of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, it gives you fewer concepts to relearn. It’s also easier to guess what certain construction means, since you have context in your native language to compare it to.
If you’re a native English speaker then, it’s a good idea to get a language software that was produced with an English native in mind. Since it will relate concepts to your own mother tongue, it ends up being a lot more effective at achieving fluency goals.
Older Posts » |
