How to learn a language

The more materials you read in a target language, the more new words you’ll likely come across.  With exposure to new words, of course, comes the opportunity to broaden your vocabulary.

If you come across a new word that you’d like to integrate into your active stock, you can always jot it down and memorize later.  We suggest doing something else, though.  Something a little more active that can also help deepen your facility with the language.

1. Sound it out.  Try to guess how it will sound, based on your current experiences with the language (e.g. it’s spelled similar to a word you know), and say it out loud.
2. Identify how the word is formed.  Can you identify anything familiar about the word, such as a root, a prefix or a suffix?    If you can, try to identify what the word means based on those.
3. Identify how it is used.  Take note of the context surrounding the word (e.g. the meaning of the sentence it is a part of).  A lot of the time, you can guess what a word means based from that.

What these activities will do is have you thinking more critically about the target language.  You’re no longer just memorizing random words, you’re identifying new elements of vocabulary that you can put to use.  This will also serve you down the line, as having the confidence to guess what words mean will help you in future readings.

When coming across unfamiliar words while reading in a target language, the best way to promote continuity is by using context clues to decipher their meaning in real time. It takes some practice, but getting good at it is a valuable skill that will serve anyone learning a new language.

1. Look for definitions. In written work, some authors will offer up definitions of what a word means.
2. Watch out for synonyms. Writers use synonyms all the time, often in close proximity to the word in question. Recognize them.
3. Watch out for antonyms. Some words, especially modifiers, will get their opposite in the piece too. Similar to synonyms, expect them in close proximity.
4. Pay attention to the descriptions. Often, writers will offer enough detailed description that you can figure out a word’s meaning.
5. Check the examples. Sample illustrations are a great way to detail what a word is hinting at.
6. Look at the topic sentence. The topic sentence always dictates what direction a paragraph is headed. Often, it also clues you in on the type and bent of words that will be included.

If you can take notes, do so. Later, you can verify whether you guessed correctly using your all-in-one language software. However, using context clues while reading can save you plenty of time, as well as maintain the flow that helps you understand the material even better.