Tips about Language Learning

Myth #1
It’s easier for children to learn another language than for adults.

Fact: Given the right kind of language input, adults learn language more quickly than children. Of course, if you are forced to memorize grammar rules and vocabulary in an artificial situation, you can’t be expected to learn as naturally as the children we see playing with their friends.
Tip: Learn your second language in a way that prepares you for real communication from the very beginning. (Okay—here’s the part of the myth that’s true: It’s harder for adults to acquire an absolute native-like pronunciation—so you’ll probably have an accent. That’s okay—it’s charming.)

Myth #2
You have to learn a lot of grammar so you don’t make mistakes.

Fact: You’re going to make mistakes anyway, and if you stop focusing on correctness, you’re going to be speaking the language a whole lot faster.
Tip: Learn the grammar as you go along. A good teacher will introduce some grammar points into a communicative lesson when you ask for them or when she sees you’re ready for them. Savvy language learners will learn what a sentence means and then ask questions about grammar when it’s useful to them.

Myth #6
Learning vocabulary is hard.

Fact: When you want to remember them (most will stick just because you hear them or use them enough), there are many ways to make it easy for yourself.
Tip: Here are some suggestions. 1) Spanish is an easy language for finding cognates—words that have the same root as English. Keep your eyes open for them. Example: paquete/package; libros/library; teléfono/telephone; dormir(to sleep)/dormitory 2) For words that aren’t obviously related, find a way to make your own connection. Examples: Cabeza means “head”. Can you make a connection with a cabbage? Or a cab?
Palabra means “word”. Can you make a connection with pal, or lab? You can use any crazy way of making associations that works for you.

Future tips—watch this space: How to control a conversation with a native speaker; how to help yourself with pronunciation; how to develop your own language lessons; having fun while learning a language; use of music to learn a language.

For more information, email or call Lynn Reer at 503.282.8625.