I’m worried that people don’t understand me when I speak English, so I prefer to stay quiet.
I read a lot in English. Mostly news on the Internet, but sometimes books too.
I never study English in my free time.
I record new words, look them up in a dictionary and keep a record of them in my notebook.
I use on-line software and apps for learning English.
I talk a lot in English in my free time.
I’m afraid to make mistakes when I speak or write.
I listen for new expressions and imitate fluent speakers.
ARE YOU A GOOD LANGUAGE LEARNER?
What are the 4 qualities of good language learners?
M
O
R
E
ARE YOU A GOOD LANGUAGE LEARNER?
How do you understand the MORE qualities?
Motivated
Opportunistic
Reflective
Experimental
POLYGLOTS - LEARNING FROM THE BEST
Watch the first part of the video. What did Chris decide to do? Where did he go? Did he succeed? (2 -2:50)
Talk to your partner. How can adults learn a language quickly and effectively? Continue watching the video to check. (2:50 - 3:40)
What is your rection to Chris’ conclusion? Is it possible to learn a language in 6 months?
Continue watching. What WRONG beliefs from the past does Chris mention? (3:40 – 5:45)
What are the 7 actions for rapid (fast) language acquisition (learning) will Chris talk about? (12:14 – 18:06)
7 LANGUAGE LEARNING PRINCIPLES
Listen a lot – don’t worry about understanding everything
Get the meaning first – use and watch body language
Start mixing – 10 verbs x 10 nouns x 10 adjectives = 1000 things to say
Focus on the core – frequently used words
Get a language parent
Copy the face
Direct connect to mental images
MAKING VOCABULARY LEARNING FAST AND FUN - MEMRISE
Mems – mental images that help you remember new words
MAKING VOCABULARY LEARNING FAST AND FUN - MEMRISE
Repetition is the key:
DOS AND DON’TS OF RECORDING VOCABULARY EFFECTIVELY
Write an example sentence
Combine translation with definition/examples/synonyms
Write words that are important/relevant for YOU
Use a good dictionary
Write two/three word phrases, e.g. carry out a study on
Write the words that come before and after the new word
Personalise the examples
Organise your vocabulary by topics
Use mems
DON’T write long and complicated definitions
DON’T just write the translation
DON’T write down all the new words
DON’T write new words in different places
DON’T write only indivdual words
DON’T write generic examples
DOs
DON’Ts
PRACTISE
Read the text below. Identify minimum 3 new chunks/phrases and write them down in your notebook using the tips from the previous slide:
Mistakes are great! Without them, you will stay in your comfort language zone forever. We adults tend to be incredibly worried about being 100% right all the time. Forget about it. Especially at the beginning. Play with the language. Experiment. And slip up. That’s fine. Nobody’s going to laugh, get annoyed or poke fun at you. Believe me. Native speakers will be delighted that you’re trying to learn their language (especially if the language is as obscure as Polish, for instance). Focus on getting the meaning across first. But, get somebody to correct you once you feel comfortable with it. And DO pay attention to the correct version. Otherwise you might be forever repeating the basic mistakes.
SOME EXAMPLES
Stay in your comfort zone – ex. My dad hates taking risks. He always stays in his comfort zone.
Slip up – make a mistake, informal,
ex. I often slip up ON spelling.
Be delighted that – very happy, ex. I’m delighted (that) you’re all here.
Focus on – concentrate on, ex. I found it difficult to focus on work yesterday.
Get the meaning across – be understood, ex. I make mistakes when I speak French, but I find it easy to get the meaning across
YOUR TASK FOR FRIDAY
Log in to Memrise at www.memrise.com
Find a new course and learn 5 new words
Download the app and practise on your phone
Read one of the articles and watch one of the videos from the next slide. Write down at least 3 interesting things you’d like to tell your class about next time.
Write down 3 new phrases in your notebook
SOME USEFUL READING
How can we imitate MORE effective learners? https://teflreflections.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/more-effective-learners-how-can-we-imitate-them/
What I’ve learned from 3 polyglots – dispelling 5 language learning myths. https://teflreflections.wordpress.com/2014/01/16/what-ive-learned-from-3-polyglots-dispelling-5-language-learning-myths/
What I’ve learned from 4 polyglots – 5 steps to language fluency https://teflreflections.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/what-ive-learned-from-4-polyglots-5-steps-to-language-fluency/
Videos to watch
5 techniques to speak any language by Sid Efromovich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WLHr1_EVtQ
Hacking language learning by Benny Lewis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x2_kWRB8-A
How to learn any language in 6 months by Chris Lonsdale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0yGdNEWdn0
