How to learn a foreign language with joy: 8 tips from teachers and translators
Forming / / December 19, 2019
Helen DeVos
Journalist, writer, teacher of Russian, English and French. novel "Russian Lessons" author who talks about teaching Russian to foreigners in modern Paris.
1. Motivate yourself every day
Age limit for the study there is no language. The only thing necessary for the person of any age - is the motivation. Fine, if you have an interest in the language itself or, if you will, to a certain reality, which is in this language (like when a movie or a book, a song or a video game artist or a writer, and a young man or girl).
Recall that Ludwig Wittgenstein learned Russian to read Dostoevsky in the original (and in the process of studying all the stress put down the novel "Crime and Punishment"). And Leo Tolstoy learned Hebrew, too, because of the books: he was wondering how to actually written in the Bible.
Sometimes there is no interest in the language, and should be taught: to work, to travel, to live in another country. Do not be lazy, scribble a list of what you like to do in life and connect these hobbies with the language. Doing the same thing you've always liked, but now with the assistance of your new - foreign - language.
2. Do not be afraid to experiment
Ideal method of language learning, which fits all, either. Thrive and compete, they are in vogue and are forgotten variety of methods, various language schools, different theories. Yet none of them has won the rest.
Try a few books before settling on one. For coaching accept themselves participate in the selection of textbooks. Realized that a mistake (even if others are happy, but you uncomfortable), - change. If there is no choice (in school, group lessons), and the textbook does not like it, find another one and read it yourself - as a dessert for classes mandatory.
In general, try as much as possible to personalize your approach to the language. Explore the sites, YouTube-channels, movies, TV seriesThat interest you. Look for like-minded people to share experiences, communicate language, anyway, is a social phenomenon.
3. Choose teacher
A huge impact on the efficiency and the results of your lessons will have someone with whom you are engaged in language - your teacher. If you are uncomfortable with this person, it is unfair to you, you do not understand - look for another without any hesitation. Especially if we are talking about a tutor for children: a review of the child here is decisive, even if the teacher you like rigor, responsibility and all sorts of other adult qualities.
Again, if there is no opportunity to choose, and the teacher does not like it, be sure to find a way to learn a language in parallel in an environment where you feel comfortable and cozy. It may be lessons on Skype, private lessons and so on. Do not believe the superstition that the best teacher - a native speaker. Conversely, grammatical intricacies and rules you sometimes better to explain the man for whom, as for you, this language was not native.
Beware of lessons with loved ones (when the teacher becomes a parent, husband, wife, sister and etc.) are not out anything good, if the "Professor" bluntly criticizes and ridicules "Pupil".
All good teachers have a common characteristic: they are not blamed not on (and generally not abused) for questions and if something do not know, say so. The next lesson they come up with the answer to your question. It is sacred.
4. Rule five minutes
To learn the language, and to maintain, two conditions are necessary:
- you use it;
- you do it regularly.
A man who devotes exercises 30 minutes a day, will move faster than the one who sits on the textbook three hours every Saturday, and during the rest of this tutorial does not open.
Furthermore, only 5 minutes in the morning and evening, can do wonders. Put the textbook next to the toothpaste. Brush your teeth - look at the rule, conjugation tables. Take a photo on your smartphone Page with homework or glossary. Standing in line - look in the phone, check yourself. Before going to bed write two or three sentences (if two or three exercises, then all wonderful). And so on. Little and often - better than many and ever.
5. Not bison - learn
Bone up on the rules and names of cases it is not necessary - you just need to know how they work. And here is the right phrases, words, sentences, language structure, its conjugation and declension necessarily learn by heart.
Try not to cram and learn: to understand and use it in practice. Teach poems, sayings, lyrics. And not those that asked the teacher, and the ones that you enjoy yourself. It will be a great help lexical, and generally beneficial effect on the ability to speak and think, including in their own language.
6. Correct the error immediately
The sooner you fix a bug, the less time it will be all in your head. Therefore, when the Tutor, do not start with a long test, where the correct answers are given at the very end. So obsessed only on exams.
Ideally, the error you have to soak up the correct version immediately, that is corrected with the help of teachers, textbook, language program. This is especially true of independent work: exercises and tests.
Everything has to go on a "your option - the right option." Such a method is very effective for several reasons: you hook a rule, if you do not have errors. And if there is an error, you can see what it is, and your next step would be.
Do not trust textbooks without keys (correct answers to the exercises). It is desirable from time to time to show their work to the teacher or a native speaker. Even in high-quality textbooks found errors and unnatural expression language.
7. Write more
Write and print in the language teaching. Do not change any written, better cross out and write the word again. When spellcheck shows you the word is misspelled, take three seconds to print that word again - competently.
The memory of the correct spelling always remains at our fingertips.
8. Praise and reward yourself
And the last. Whatever your teacher, for whatever book you do, regardless of what language was taught - congratulate yourself. For each task performed correctly, for taking the time today and opened the book for the success of any, even the smallest. If the teacher is not lucky - doubly praise. For the perseverance and patience.
"Man needs to pay compliments every 15 minutes," - said Carlson was absolutely right. This is another kind of motivation, only the subconscious. Therefore, if you want to learn the language easily and with joy, celebrate his every achievement. Do not compare yourself with others. Compare only with how many knew yesterday and today as you know. And enjoy the difference.