• language software home

Comparison


Reviews


Other Software


About


Resources

free

Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional
June 21, 2011

It’s Time To Study A Language Like It’s The 21st Century

If you’re still getting your language lessons using audio CDs, books and traditional classroom teaching, you may want to reconsider your approach.   It’s 2011.  Isn’t it time your language instruction reflected the times?

Language Software

We’ve made huge strides in learning software.  So much so, in fact, that you can dependably rely on it as your primary instruction source for language learning.  While software-based language programs admittedly weren’t up to par 15 years ago, the strides in the space make a whole lot of difference now.

Many old language software relied on ineffective teaching styles, like rote memorization (repeating new phrases randomly) and strict grammar study.   In contrast, most new software take a more strategic route, integrating both vocabulary memorizing and grammar into a far more natural approach that involves learning the language the way it is used.  As a result, it feels more like an active speaking practice than a tired lesson.

Mobile Technology

With mobile technology now a ubiquitous part of everyday life, it’s a good idea to utilize them in your language studies, too.    Use your iPod to listen to songs and monologues in the target language.  Download electronic flashcards, dictionaries and other educational apps into your smartphone, so you can use them during downtime on the road.  Keep your lesson notes on a computer, instead of an old-school ledger — that way, you can access the files from your phone, laptop and other electronic gadgets.

March 12, 2010

How To Get Started Using A Photo Book For Language Learning

Photo books can be very helpful in language learning, especially as a secondary material during the first six weeks of lessons. If you set them up right, they can make for hours upon hours of useful practice in both vocabulary retention and sentence construction. Most likely, you will want to use them as you build up a recognition vocabulary of around 1,000 words, all while learning enough grammatical structure to construct basic communicative sentences.

When collecting photos for your collection, aim for images with at least one person in them as the main character. Rather than merely standing, they should be doing something involving other people or objects within the shot. This will allow you to not only identify characters and items, but construct complete sentences with nouns and verbs for each photograph.

Like all secondary practice materials, photo books are best employed while also participating in regular language learning sessions. As always, we recommend either live classes (with a group instructor or a private tutor) or a comprehensive language software as your main method of learning, with the photo book as a resource for additional practice sessions. Allot regular time for the photo book sessions, so that you get consistent practice from them. We recommend 15 minutes a day.

When scheduling your photo book sessions, work first towards identifying main characters in the photos, listing down simple sentences such as “This is a man” and “These are children” in the language you are studying. After that, move towards identifying objects they’re interacting with, such as “This is a dog” and “This is a guitar.” Once you get those down, you can move on to more complex constructions, such from using simple transitive verbs to active verbs to full-on compound sentences.

December 18, 2009

Studying Language Using Multiple Sources

Some people prefer to study from a single material, often believing that the less-complicated route (sticking to one reference) will facilitate a more rewarding effort.  Others, however, contend that using multiple sources is always necessary for a more thorough language learning.

Personally, I understand the value in concentrating your efforts on one material.  However, you should realize that a single source can only get you so far.  In fact, most researches point to the conclusion that using multiple sources when studying increases both retention and understanding.

How do you best use multiple sources for learning?

  • Refer to secondary sources when you stumble upon something you either can’t understand or doubt you understood correctly.  The supporting sources might have a better way of explaining that particular topic.
  • Use secondary materials at times when the primary source is not available.  If you use a language learning software as your primary tool, for instance, you can use flash cards or a book for a quick brush-up when you’re on the road.
  • Combine lessons you get between multiple sources to create a more complete overall picture.
  • Choose secondary sources that are more practical and exercises-based if your primary learning medium (e.g. classes, language software) are geared towards actual lessons.  That way, you’re able to get a more rounded experience.
Like this post?
Home | Sitemap