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August 27, 2010

Five Ways We Learn Languages

Experts say people generally learn languages in one of five ways.  Which one of these do you think will work best for you?

Word-By-Word Translations. The most ancient of the bunch, this involves literally translating words from your native tongue to the target language, usually by using a dictionary.  It’s not the most efficient, but it’s one people have used with mixed success (which means there were positive results) for decades.

Vocabulary-Based Language Learning. Here, language is learned by associating words with pictures and objects they represent.  Some people claim this is how natural learning occurs, making it a much-employed approach in many popular language software.

Grammar-Based Language Learning. Like the previous one, this is heavily-used among language learning programs.   It generally uses a vocabulary-based strategy at the start, followed by in-depth study of the target language’s grammar.

Communicative Approach. Used by most modern language schools and some advanced language software, this involves communication drills that focus on specific aspects of a language, paired with tightly-focused grammar and vocabulary lessons.

Immersion. The method of choice for free spirits, this involves jumping into the deep end with native speakers and just winging it.  It’s incredibly scary and awkward, but if you stick to it, you can develop a thick face quickly.  Oh yeah, and some language abilities too.

June 18, 2010

How To Study And Choose A Language Learning Strategy

A language learning strategy isn’t a plan.  Rather, it’s a specific method you can use to acquire  different elements of the target language.

There are many strategies out there.  Activities like using flash cards, training with a software for foreign languages or role-playing with fellow  students are all examples of language training strategies.

As you may have guessed, you can employ as many strategies as you like in your own learning efforts.  In fact, most experts recommended adopting at least a few of them in your arsenal.  Doing so will help keep you from getting bored, as well as allow you to experience the whole breadth of the language learning spectrum.

Choosing Strategies For Yourself

1. Evaluate the current strategies you use.  Which ones work well?  Which ones don’t?
2. Identify new strategies.  See what other people are doing for their language training and jot down specific strategies they’re using.  The more they have in common with your current effective strategies, the better the likelihood you’ll take well to them.
3. Classify strategies according to three groups:

  • Memorizing.  All strategies designed to facilitate memorization of both vocabulary and grammar rules fall here.
  • Fluency.  Those designed to aid in expressing your thoughts clearly and accurately go here.
  • Social .  These are strategies that get you accustomed to using the language in interaction with other people.

4. Test them.  Gauge how each one works for you.  Ideally, you’d like to keep a maximum of two or three strategies for each of those aspects as a way to vary your lessons without overwhelming yourself.

    June 8, 2010

    Don’t Complicate Your Language Learning

    Some people, in a desire to integrate every advancement in language learning known to man, end up going overboard. Instead of simply going out and studying a language, they end up piling on techniques, exercises and activities of all sorts. Rather than serve them positively, all the added materials become a distraction – complicating the process, rather than serving it.

    Don’t get us wrong. We’re all for incorporating numerous sources and various approaches to your language education. For instance, we’ve often harped on using a software for language training as a primary learning material, all while adding a separate vocabulary tool and practice groups as supplementary resources. However, “taking charge” of your language learning in this manner can be taken too far. At the bottom end of that spectrum, you end up spreading yourself too thin; at the worst possible scenario, you find yourself overwhelmed and give up.

    The trick, of course, is to keep it moderate. Having one primary learning source, with two to three additional sources is plenty enough. The trick is to regularly test yourself. If you find yourself improving with that setup, then keep it. When you notice yourself reaching a plateau, however, you might need to do some changes. Instead of adding new ones, opt for the conservative route and do a replacement. For instance, trade in the vocabulary practice for pronunciation improvement. This helps you vary things up, all while avoiding putting too much on your plate.

    July 19, 2009

    Three Awesome Language Learning Strategies

    Looking for new techniques that can aid you in your language learning efforts?  Try these on for size, all of which should prove a good addition through your regular study with a language learning software.

    1. Look for patterns in the language.

    Some aspects of the language need to be systematically learned, particularly the foundation and those concepts which are new to your experience of communication.  Others, however, can be absorbed naturally, largely through stumbling upon patterns of similarity with your first language.  The more correspondence that exists in your language and the second language you’re studying, the easier it will be for you to learn it, simply due to the natural connections you can make with their specific patterns.

    2. Don’t be afraid to guess.

    When listening to a  dialogue in the target language and you come across terms that you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to guess what it means, based on the context of your knowledge and the rest of the material.  Guessing is an important strategy in language learning, helping you develop confidence in your instincts, as well as allowing you to use it in a less-constricted manner.

    3. Practice with yourself.

    Almost every language learner I know who has mastered a second language faster than average avidly talks to themselves.  We’re not saying to do it while you’re walking down the street and risk looking like a crazy person.  However, once in the privacy of your home, it is a very good technique to get practice conversational time, even without having partners to run it off on.
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