learning languages
Being a successful language learner of course requires both support and a high level of motivation. I would encourage you to be enthusiastic as far as your new language is concerned – if you enjoy the challenge you are much more likely to achieve highly because your motivation will drive you on. As far as the support goes, below I will outline a few strategies that may help you in your language learning:
1. Little and often, the more the better
In all language work that you do, the best approach is to undertake learning regularly, for relatively short periods of time. You are far more likely to retain the language on a permanent basis if you spend twenty minutes a day studying than if you try and sit down and cram for three hours at the weekend. Getting into a routine of frequent language learning is a key to success.
2. Vocabulary learning - different techniques
As you are most likely already aware, as a department, in Modern Foreign Languages we set weekly vocabulary tests in which you must be able to write out words or phrases accurately in the target language. The key to achieving high scores is attention to detail: spelling (including accents) must be correct. Not everybody learns in the same way, of course, and below are a few simple ideas as to different learning strategies that you could try out to help pick up new vocabulary effectively:
a. Post-it all over the place! – plaster stickies all over your room, kitchen, bathroom with all your new vocabulary on it
b. Graffiti the Glass! – write out the vocab in really cool designs in NON-permanent marker pens on your window (if you can persuade your parents, of course… ;P) or with chalk on the floor outside somewhere… How many can you do in two minutes?
c. Mime and Memorise! – come up with actions (or sounds) to help remember for new items of vocabulary
d. MP3 Mania! – use QuickTime or GarageBand to produce a recording of the spelling of new words, or even make it into a song
e. Picture-crazy! – use photos or sketches to create flashcards which will help you learn more language by association rather than translation
f. Bi>Tri>Multi>Lingualism – don’t limit yourself to copying out a list of English words to translate… use ALL your languages!
g. Test yourselves! – work WITH and not against other members of your class… Remember this is a competition against other classes for the trophy, and, more importantly, the chocolate! If you can help other people in your class or get other people to help you, then your group is more likely to win the chocolate, right?
An interesting article about using online tools and apps to learn languages:
* http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/feb/21/can-i-learn-a-language-online
Some Guardian articles on motivation and language learning:
* http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/oct/14/paddy-ashdown-language-learning-education
* http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/mar/19/language-learning-motivation-brain-teaching
* http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/sep/04/what-happens-to-the-brain-language-learning
* http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jun/26/motivation-key-language-learning
1. Little and often, the more the better
In all language work that you do, the best approach is to undertake learning regularly, for relatively short periods of time. You are far more likely to retain the language on a permanent basis if you spend twenty minutes a day studying than if you try and sit down and cram for three hours at the weekend. Getting into a routine of frequent language learning is a key to success.
2. Vocabulary learning - different techniques
As you are most likely already aware, as a department, in Modern Foreign Languages we set weekly vocabulary tests in which you must be able to write out words or phrases accurately in the target language. The key to achieving high scores is attention to detail: spelling (including accents) must be correct. Not everybody learns in the same way, of course, and below are a few simple ideas as to different learning strategies that you could try out to help pick up new vocabulary effectively:
a. Post-it all over the place! – plaster stickies all over your room, kitchen, bathroom with all your new vocabulary on it
b. Graffiti the Glass! – write out the vocab in really cool designs in NON-permanent marker pens on your window (if you can persuade your parents, of course… ;P) or with chalk on the floor outside somewhere… How many can you do in two minutes?
c. Mime and Memorise! – come up with actions (or sounds) to help remember for new items of vocabulary
d. MP3 Mania! – use QuickTime or GarageBand to produce a recording of the spelling of new words, or even make it into a song
e. Picture-crazy! – use photos or sketches to create flashcards which will help you learn more language by association rather than translation
f. Bi>Tri>Multi>Lingualism – don’t limit yourself to copying out a list of English words to translate… use ALL your languages!
g. Test yourselves! – work WITH and not against other members of your class… Remember this is a competition against other classes for the trophy, and, more importantly, the chocolate! If you can help other people in your class or get other people to help you, then your group is more likely to win the chocolate, right?
An interesting article about using online tools and apps to learn languages:
* http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/feb/21/can-i-learn-a-language-online
Some Guardian articles on motivation and language learning:
* http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/oct/14/paddy-ashdown-language-learning-education
* http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/mar/19/language-learning-motivation-brain-teaching
* http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/sep/04/what-happens-to-the-brain-language-learning
* http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jun/26/motivation-key-language-learning
What languages sound like to foreigners:
For the most part, the lady below is speaking gibberish, using made up words while applying various accents. However, if you speak any of the languages in the video, you will hear a couple of actual words interspersed throughout. Her range is impressive, although judging from YouTube comments, her impression is not always entirely accurate. Don’t take it too seriously though, it’s just for fun :) (from http://twistedsifter.com/videos/what-different-languages-sound-like-to-foreigners/)
For the most part, the lady below is speaking gibberish, using made up words while applying various accents. However, if you speak any of the languages in the video, you will hear a couple of actual words interspersed throughout. Her range is impressive, although judging from YouTube comments, her impression is not always entirely accurate. Don’t take it too seriously though, it’s just for fun :) (from http://twistedsifter.com/videos/what-different-languages-sound-like-to-foreigners/)
languages & music
language learning infographics
Below are some interesting infographics on language learning. Not sure I agree with everything they say but they're definitely worth a peek nonetheless:
“Truth of Studying a Foreign Language” Infographic
