Why learn new languages so difficult and how to overcome it
Forming / / December 19, 2019
You do not really want to learn the language
Or do not fully understand why you need it. Thus, you do not have the proper motivation, and this is perhaps one of the most important obstacles to the development of a foreign language. Ph.D., Professor Robert Gardner and his colleagues conducted a lot of researchAttitudes, Motivation and Second LanguageLearning: A Meta-Analysis of Studies. Conducted by Gardner and Associates about this theme. They have repeatedly confirmedGardner and Lambert (1959): Fifty Years and Counting1R. C. Gardner. Department of Psychology, University of Western OntarioThat motivated students achieve better results than those who have no incentives.
Therefore, no matter how interesting and effective methods may be that you pick up, they can not act if you do not feel this desire to learn and do not want to be active.
Decision
1. Identify your motives
Seriously take up the study of language is easier when you have identified the reasons for all of this thinking. It can be anything:
- The desire to make your life easier when traveling.
- I hope to get a more challenging work.
- Interest in the culture of a country.
- Intention to watch movies or read books in the original.
- The desire to simply "mash" the mind or self-esteem.
You can use any pretty strong motivating factor. And best of all stimulates the anticipation of a pleasureWhy our brains lazy. Just understand for themselves how it can improve your life if you learn a new language.
Furthermore, since it will be easier to determine what material and how should master the deep.
You will be able to understand whether you need to focus only on speaking (in the case of tourFor example) or the need to learn the language comprehensively. Is it permissible to learn a limited number of words and grammatical constructions, or the more the better. And so on.
2. Plan lessons
Linguists and teachers are advised to do so in advance, in order to see their immediate and ultimate aims. For example, Jeremy Harmer, Writer and specialist in the field of English language teaching, suggests asking yourself these questions:
What exactly do you plan to achieve? What are you going to do? What tools do you prefer to use?
The answers to these questions will help perform the following steps:
- Define the objectives more clearly as possible. Focus on those aspects of language that are important in your situation. For example, if you need to verbally communicate with foreigners for work, In the first place are the speaking, listening, and professional vocabulary. You can also navigate to the CEFR systemCommon European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)Which describes in detail the levels of proficiency. Extensive problem is divided into smaller ones.
- Pick appropriate methods and materials. At your disposal - a variety of textbooks and reference manuals to prepare for international exams, the author of the program and numerous online resources. Do not forget to pay attention to different aspects of the language. Decide how you will combine methods to each of them.
- Set a time frame. Determine the timing of specific tasks and decide how long it will take to school every day. Regardless of your employment, remember: it is better to engage in a little bit every day than the "swallow" a lot of material at once, but once a week.
A preliminary compilation of the plan will help you turn vague intentions into concrete actions. You will be able to accurately assess their successes and not waste energyEach time trying to understand why and how should take today. Plan provides general guidelines, and it can be adjusted if necessary.
3. Fueled his motivation
For this Harmer suggests using in the classroom materialsFilled with any emotion: music, beautiful illustrations, touching stories, stories - anything that will help you to avoid boredom. This does not mean you have to use things like that all the time, but the introduction of the novelty element is very beneficial effect on the results.
You can experiment not only with the materials. Put some bright clothes or periodically change their place of employment - go to the park or cafe.
The main thing - let some "fresh air".
Polyglot Benny LewisWho knows more than seven foreign languagesTo avoid burnout, also advises periodically arrange a weekend (but not too often). The very study may be diluted with any activity that does not seem work entertainment such as watching a video or reading something simple, like a comic book in the target language.
4. Practice as often as possible
Lewis argues that the deeper you dive into the language, the stronger it becomes, and your zeal. So look for as many ways: video, music, books, movies, radio - anything. All this increases the chance to realize that you can now actually use the knowledge - and there is nothing better fuels.
You do not like the language
Or culture of the country where they speak on it. It may seem strange: why bother to learn it? But our life is multifaceted, and the reasons may be different:
- Master the language necessary for the job.
- We have to live in a certain country for personal reasons, although in general, do not want to.
- Culture can, and like it, but rules in the language It seems too illogical and so on.
It really is a serious problem: as you perceive a hostile reception any information encountered during class.
Decision
If you have nowhere to go, you can try the following.
1. Look at the language as a tool
Psychologists Robert Gardner and Wallace Lambert in their studiesAttitudes, Motivation and Second LanguageLearning: A Meta-Analysis of Studies. Conducted by Gardner and Associates They argue that there are two basic types of motivation learn languages:
- Instrumental - for the sake of some external benefits. For example, opportunities to find an attractive job in another country or get a promotion.
- Integrative - from genuine inner desire to get closer to some other culture.
The second, of course, is much more efficient, but it does not mean that the dream is simply to make life easier and more enjoyable, does not work. You must agree: it is much better, for example, work in a profession than forced to choose a job just because "to take without knowing the language." And in any case, communicate with foreigners, If it is necessary, it is much easier and faster in a language that you know and you, and they are.
2. Treat the language as a means to expand the consciousness
Look at the situation in a more detached and simply rejoice in the fact that you open something new for myself.
Psychologists and educators connectFormation of motivation to learn a foreign language at students of not language specialties with the theories of motivation Abraham Maslow. Among the basic human needs, he mentions "the desire to know and understand." According to Maslow, people are often motivated by curiosity and it is they get satisfaction by answering a variety of questions about the world and ourselves.
And other people's language and culture - this is just another unexplored facet of reality.
Of course, to restructure the perception is thus not too easy, but it is very valuable. Mastering another language - the perfect way to do mind is more flexible and learn to look at things from several different points of view.
3. Develop integrative motivation artificially
Try to find music, movies, books, inventions, aspects of life, some other things that are related the language or country, and make you sympathy - it is likely that it will reconsider attitude.
For example, some people are beginning to learn the Japanese language is only because the enthusiastic Japanese computer games, music, or anime. Others decide to learn English as passionately want to go to England. And some believe that reading books in translation, he missing lots of interesting details. It is possible that you will find something for themselves.
Are you afraid that will not work
The reasons for such fears there are many.
School program or any of your personal failure could lead you to believe that languages - this is not yours. Indeed, it is violated in many schools principles of learning:
- We have to cram the material rather than absorb it consciously.
- Pupils are too many words and grammar, they do not have time to repeat and remember.
- Not always manage to train aspects of the language in context, and then it is not clear how to apply them in practice.
- Classes are built very boring, while the interest - it is one of the most important engines of progress.
But sometimes you do create problems for ourselves, suffering from excessive makeovers or comparing yourself to others. And here you are in a situation where you do not want to even begin.
Decision
1. Get rid of the idea that "the language - this is not your"
After all, your native language you learn still managed. It took time, a lot of practice and real-life examples. And in fact, the same need for learning a foreign language.
2. Understand that the time you have more language than you think
It is important to learn not to waste it. And many things that you already do every day, can be adapted to practice. For example, reading and watching online content in a foreign language only. And on the way home from work or school to listen podcasts or audiobook. Watching movies and TV shows without the translation, too, will be an excellent practice, and at night you can read the works in the original. The main thing - interest and real desire.
3. Do not do what is causing boredom
Mastering the language itself does not necessarily do things in school or on the course - you can find a variety of interesting ways in which to learn much more fun. There are different ways to practice in sufficient quantity and at the same time to remember the material without cramming.
You can read your favorite books in the original, use spaced repetition (At regular intervals), to come up with amusing association to memorize words. On the Internet there are many resources that allow you to learn from movies and songs. There are interesting audio courses and much more.
4. Cease to be afraid that you do not have enough finances
In order to successfully learn the language, not necessarily to spend money on expensive lessons, materials and travel abroad to practice in real-life conditions. On the Internet there are many free or low cost resources, to communicate with native speakers and can be on any instant messenger.
5. Forget the claim that language can only learn the child
There are many examples that contradict this view. This is confirmed by Benny Lewis, of which we have already mentioned. He is guided by his experience of communicating with others, learn the language and says that even in adults there are some advantages. For example, they can understand the many details just from the context of their life experiences. In addition, they have a more developed analytical thinking and to take up their studies they can more consciously than children.
6. Do not compare yourself with others
Everyone is different - at all the possibilities and pace. Even if you mastered the material is slower than anyone else, it does not mean anything. You also do not know what makes the other person and what difficulties he had to face at the same time. People tend to show both their successes, leaving a lot behind the scenes.
It all boils down to one thing: you just need to start, and if your motivation is strong, then will definitely be easier.
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