Learning Languages effectively

LEARNING LANGUAGES EFFECTIVELY

• Tips and tricks

WHAT ARE YOUR LEARNING HABITS?

• I watch films and TV in English.
• 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