Is it possible to learn a foreign language in 90 days
Forming / / December 19, 2019
It seems that for learning a foreign language needs for many years, but the famous polyglot Benny Lewis (Bennie Lewis) states that in three months can be quite bearable to communicate with native speakers. Is it possible to learn a language in such a short time and what mistakes prevent us from doing so? Learn from the guest article by Alexander Galimov.
Alexander Galimov
English teacher and chess, translator and author sammari for Smart Reading.
AND. HubermanThe soul of the Russian global mute disdain communion,
Perceiving a foreign language with a dictionary and disgust.
Without exception, the Russians are studying in the school at least one foreign language. They continue to learn the language of wisdom on language courses, tutoring and universities. Nevertheless, for most foreign language - a meaningless set of grammatical rules and words.
Over 20 years teaching English, I found several reasons for this, "Silence."
What prevents learn a foreign language
1. Fear of mistakes
That only I have not heard from my students! "I made a mistake, and would laugh at me!" - almost cried solid lady, chief accountant of the bank. "I'll look like an idiot!" - categorically said a top manager of a large manufacturing company. "I forgot the third form of the verb! Go, so feel free to ask the way," - talked about an independent trip to Europe young businessman.
Language - is not mathematics, it is not necessary to strive for the utmost precision and accuracy. Even the most educated of us do not make mistakes in their native language. What sense to strive for excellence in foreign language, forgetting that it is primarily a means of communication!
2. imperial habits
"Why are not the Russian colonizers taught? It is they who come to us, not we to them, "- resented my corporate student who came to work in the British company and was forced to learn the language of Shakespeare.
Seventy years behind the Iron Curtain have accustomed us to the fact that the inhabitants of the neighboring republics and countries speak in Russian, as part of the staff at the popular resorts of Turkey and Egypt. However, as time goes on, and the younger generation in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Finland have not spoke in Russian, which is very inconvenient for tourists from Russia.
3. Improper motivation
I have often heard: "English decorate my resume", "learn the language and prove to my mother that I'm standing."
It is unlikely that you will quickly start talking to foreign languageIf you want to surprise colleagues to pass the exam or to find a high-paying job. However, if you want to communicate with people, learn the history and culture of the country the language is spoken, you will not only learn the language but also well spend time.
4. excuses
Here are some common excuses that prevent people from learning a foreign language:
- I'm too old (young, busy).
- I have no talent for languages.
- Learning a foreign language takes too long.
- It's too expensive.
- Learn languages bored.
What does "learn the language"
Before we talk about how much time to spend on learning a language, it is important to determine what exactly you want to achieve: to be able to support conversation in certain everyday situations and be able to work in the country of the target language as well as reading, writing and discuss any themes.
The main thing - clearly understand what level you are aiming for.
Why three months
Benny Lewis, polyglot, who wrote Fluent in 3 Months ( «Fluent in 3 months") believe that 90 days - the optimal time to study the second and subsequent languages. First foreign language takes a little more time and effort. Such a deadline to learn the language appeared by chance: it is the same as the UK visa-free stay of citizens in many countries.
Those who are determined to learn the language, Mr. Lewis gives the following tips.
1. Clearly define the mission (to formulate goals and timetables)
I will freely communicate in Spanish to February 1, 2016.
2. Break mission on mini-missions
When Benny Lewis began teaching ChineseMemorizing the elementary phrases, which he practiced in the study of European languages, to no avail. The Chinese did not understand him. Just after the mini-mission to study communication tones adjusted.
3. Create a virtual language environment
Learn Japanese? Create a virtual land of the rising sun around you: read books on Japan, watching movies in Japanese, get acquainted with the Japanese on the web.
The method is based on the following principles:
- Speak the target language from the first day. Let you say a few primitive sentences and not understand everything you said, but you will learn a living language.
- Do not study grammar at an early stage: you get stuck and not be able to talk.
- Given to the study of language a few hours daily. No matter how many years have you taught him, it is important how many hours you spent on it.
- No need to learn a language, you need them to live. Benny Lewis not only recommends that effective methods of memorizing words and phrases, but also shares her experience:
- How to look your in a foreign country. It turns out that the behavior is more important than an accent. Watch the people: how they dress, what their facial expressions when communicating, whether they are on the eye contact, at what distance from the interlocutor are, what their hairstyle and gait.
- How to make acquaintance with foreigners. On the site www.couchsurfing.org the author was looking for native speakers. He put up a language practice, inviting for coffee or lunch their virtual friends. So he spoke in Italian in Amsterdam, and the Dutch - in Istanbul.
- How to become a polyglot. You can do this on one condition: the study of languages will become your way of life, you will live by these languages, studying the culture, literature, meet interesting people and traveling. The number of languages that you can learn depends on your desire and time that you are willing to spend on studying.
Benny Lewis method is quite realistic. In fact, in the three months of daily intensive training can master the spoken language. In this case fanaticism important in a good way: the combination of motivation, training intensity and regularity.