50 Awesome Facts About Languages [Infographic] by the team at UIC London
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- Crappy Methods
- Crappy Materials
- Crappy Attitudes
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1. Do NOT spend more than 5% of your study time on grammar, translation, vocabulary lists or any other overt information about the language.
Languages are acquired, not learned. And acquisition by its very definition happens subconsciously over time given proper input.Which leads us to number 2.
2. Do NOT spend time on materials that are too difficult or don’t interest you.
Motivation is one of the greatest keys to success in foreign language learning, and motivation’s favorite fuel is interest. There is a wealth of free language learning content available today; you need simply look.
3. Do NOT study in long, infrequent sessions.
Behind motivation, consistency is the most important factor in language learning. If you are strapped for time (and who isn’t?), it is far better to study a little bit everyday than doing marathon study sessions a few times a month. For example, if you only have 2 hours free per week to commit to language studies, it is far better to do 20 minutes per day, 6 days a week than doing the whole 2 hours on one day.
4. Do NOT worry about speaking too soon, but don’t wait too long, either!
Although oral fluency is certainly the goal of most language learners, it takes the brain some time to assimilate enough input to be able to produce meaningful output. Babies listen actively to the language around them for up to 2 years before uttering a single meaningful word. Adults can get to the output stage much earlier if they follow the advice on this site, but they should not force themselves (or let themselves be forced) to speak before they are ready. This is perhaps the single greatest problem with formal language instruction: students are expected to speak long before they are ready, creating a great deal of anxiety and diminishing the student’s motivation and interest.
5. Do NOT memorize vocabulary out of context.
To have any chance of retaining or using new words, they must be heard or read (preferably the former) many, many times within a meaningful situation. “Narrow reading” is a good way to increase the repetition of key words in a meaningful way.
6. Do NOT try to learn new words, alphabets, ideographic characters or spelling using “rote”memory.
We have 5 senses at our disposal: use them! Integrate taste, touch, smell, sound and movement as much as possible. Use “imaginative memory” to visualize connections, stories, objects, etc. The crazier the story, the easier it will be to imprint in long term memory.
7. Do NOT overly rely on the written word.
Whenever possible, try to listen to a piece first before reading it. This trains you to rely on your ears first, and better follows the natural order of acquisition (remember: you learned to speak your first language long before you learned to read it!)
8. Do NOT look up words before making at least one full pass through each reading or listening material (or each section for longer pieces.)
Only once you have gone through once or even twice, then go back and look up words you don’t know. When you don’t interrupt the “semantic flow”, it’s easier to get a feel for the big picture. And this prevents us word-nerds from getting lost in unrelated vocabulary and new linguistic connections.
9. Do NOT let the “affective filter” put a damper on your language learning.
The affective filter is a fancy word for a simple and intuitive concept: your emotions and psychological state significantly affect your performance in a foreign language (or any skill-based act for that matter.) If you are nervous, angry, hungry, tired, or preoccupied with the fight you had last night with your significant other, your ability to speak well in a foreign language will go down faster than the current stock market. On the other hand, I am sure you have noticed that a few brewskies can significantly improve your ability to converse in a foreign tongue. Why? Because booze (like meditation, exercise, and experience) helps lower inhibitions and boost social skills like verbal communication. If your teacher makes you feel nervous or stupid, fire their ass. If your language partner does not see the logic in your incorrect, but nevertheless intelligent errors, replace them. You will never make any real progress if you are afraid to speak and are not free to make all the wonderfully logical, albeit incorrect, utterances that define both infant and adult language acquisition.
10. Do NOT forget to have some fun!
Language learning takes time, but it needn’t be difficult. If you follow the tips listed above and throughout the site, and approach language learning with a smile instead of a grimace, you too WILL succeed!
Listen to the Podcast
For you audiophiles (or non-native speakers of English wanting to practice your listening skills), here is an audio version of the not to do list. Click the arrow below to play the episode. If you don’t see the audio player controls, your device doesn’t support Adobe Flash or you need to install the Flash plugin in your browser. If viewing this on a mobile device, just click the download button below to stream the podcast.
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Presentation Format
Lastly, here is a presentation version of the list. Feel free to download and share the PDF.
Download the PDFTranslations
Some very kind Language Mastery readers have taken the trouble to translate the list into their native language. If you would like to translate the list into an additional language, please let me know and I will post the link here.
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And here’s the trailer for The 4-Hour Chef:
]]>1. Bilingualism improves executive function, especially in children.
“Executive function” is an important function in the brain that governs such activities as planning, controlling impulsivity, and staying focused for a task until completion, while discarding irrelevant information. Jared Diamond of Guns, Germs, and Steel fame published an article in the journal Science which focused on the way that bilingualism greatly enhances executive function. This is especially true of children, and the improved executive control is greater the more truly fluent an individual is in both languages.
2. Bilingualism may reduce the chances of dementia later in life.
Of course, although our focus here is children, knowing two or more languages can have lifelong benefits. A recent University of California-San Diego study, cited in this New York Times article, found that those with “higher degrees” of bilingualism experienced the onset of dementia and other Alzheimer’s symptoms much later in life. Bilingualism is basically thought to engage the brain in such a way that it keeps it “in shape,” as it were.
3. Bilingualism has a much greater influence in the workforce than you would think.
When I first graduated from college, the job market was particularly rough. My peers and I all struggled to find work that fit our skills and interests. But you know what? I’m not exaggerating those who found work more quickly all had one thing in common. We were all multilingual from an early age. Don’t just take my word for it, however. Check out this Brain Track article, which explains the growing demand of bilingual workers.
4. Bilingualism improves memory.
You probably don’t have to be told that having a good memory is advantageous. After all, so much of what we do, whether at work or school, is dependent on having a sharp memory in order to succeed. Several studies, like this one, have demonstrated that bilingualism has a profoundly positive effect on episodic, semantic, and working memory.
5. Bilingualism fosters a greater and more sensitive understanding of the world.
We can talk all day about the positive effects bilingualism can have on an individual. But ultimately, what bilingualism comes down to is something more than just the sum of its attendant benefits. It’s all about understanding the full spectrum of diversity in this world, and knowing on a deep and visceral level that everyone is different. Grasping that the world both within us and around us can be interpreted and described in different ways helps children grow into mature and caring adults.
Raising bilingual children, especially if you aren’t necessarily bilingual yourself, of course, can be difficult. If either you or your partner knows a different language well, try speaking the other language on a daily basis. Consider enrolling your child in a bilingual school, or one that strongly supports bilingual education. Hiring a nanny or babysitter who only knows another language is another great way of introducing your children to the wonderful world of bilingualism. Whatever you do, make learning a second language a priority. It might just make or break your child’s future.
Can you suggest other ways bilingual skills can benefit children? Leave a comment below.
Source: http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/bingualism-across-us
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