Innovative Approaches to Learning Languages at Home
Let’s not sugarcoat things: learning a language and sticking to it is about the hardest effort one’s brain is capable of. Because grasping sounds and assembling them in people’s heads doesn’t always come naturally – for a while at least – it is very intimidating to some. Other people are gifted with this extraordinary power. Most have to learn patiently and wait a long time to see results.
According to the US Census Bureau, 21.6% of American people speak at least two languages at home. This statistic highlights the significant bilingual community within the US, underscoring the practicality and benefits of learning a second language. This implies that the rest mostly stick to English. Learning a different language is akin to learning advanced algebra for these people. It just feels like a tedious task; quite frankly, they might not need to speak another language to go on through their daily lives.
But life is full of surprises, and sometimes, individuals are just confronted with a situation where they need to grasp at least a few words of Spanish or immerse in a completely different culture. Learning companies like Les Sherpas provide extensive training and courses for every level. For those interested in structured courses, institutions like Les Sherpas (https://sherpas.com/) offer tailored training and resources, available on their platforms.
However, people can take plenty of other steps to progress in language learning, which begins at home and when they plan to study abroad. Did you know that Spanish is the most popular choice of language in the US with more than 20% of pupils learning it in K-12?
Let’s take a minute to break down the most innovative ways people can learn Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, and other cultures that matter to them. Some advice might seem obvious, but the last one will surprise for sure. Have fun learning, and never give up on that beautiful process.
Setting Goals: Balancing Speaking and Listening Skills.
Before embarking on intensive training, people should learn to prioritize their goals. What do they want to achieve in the next year? Do they wish to read a newspaper? Do they wish to communicate with your bilingual partner? Whatever their goal is, congratulations on already trying. Even the smallest steps in the right direction make individuals more knowledgeable so writing a list is important.
Private Lessons: Make a Teacher Accountable For Progress
The perspective of going back to school isn’t thrilling to many. However, engaging a certified teacher can significantly enhance progress compared to studying alone. This effectiveness stems partly from the accountability that financial commitment to a teacher brings. While a teacher cannot perform miracles, such as achieving fluency in Hindi within three months, their methods can substantially boost learning progress.
Only a teacher will be able to give a clear insight into a culture and how things are pronounced. Trying to practice a new tongue isn’t just about grammar lessons. Immersing oneself in the culture is also very useful for relating to it. They can also opt for an online teacher and get the same results.
Why Not Download an App? – Pros and Cons of Learning With Phone
Some smartpants in your friend’s group already have figured it all out. Should individuals try downloading an app and starting from here? They certainly think that playing on a learning app might be beneficial to some extent. After all, individuals might get access—for a small price—to a wide array of grammar exercises and pronunciation techniques. An app like Duolinguo, for example, has registered 83,1 million monthly users in the last semester of 2022.
However, learning the language on a phone app is far from a failsafe option. There is so much more to do than repeating phrases like a docile parrot. The gamification strategies employed by many language apps, which focus on immediate rewards, might not suit everyone’s learning style, potentially leading to diminishing returns over time. Some experts, including this New York Times journalist, argue that while language learning apps are useful, they may not be sufficient alone to achieve advanced proficiency (Levels C1 and C2).
Bonus Advice: Try Watching Kids TV
Every language on Earth comprises phonemes, a small set of usual sounds that can make endless combinations, like words. The British English language, for example, has 44 phonemes. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but familiarizing oneself with these things could be a good start to language learning.
People tend to talk to babies in a prolonged and distinctive manner. TV programs designed for babies are precisely what you need to feel like…a toddler again. Watching one of these baby programs occasionally could be beneficial if one’s starting with a language.