6 Great Tips for Learning a Second Language

If you are decided to learn a second language and you don't want to get frustrated in the first attempt, you will need some tips that will help you to achieve your goal.

Have you been pondering learning a second language because you are planning a trip to a foreign country, for example, and you do not want to come off as a typical tourist who cannot speak a lick of the local lingo? Are you frustrated as to how to proceed? If this is you, I have encountered many who share your frustration, which has inspired me to share six tips on how to learn a foreign language. Needless to say, the six tips below are equally applicable to any language that you may wish to learn.

1. Don't stress over it!

According to one of the world's leading authorities on the second language (L2) acquisition, Dr Stephen Krashen, L2 learning is best achieved in a low-stress environment. Children learning their first language (L1) are never under stress: There are no parental deadlines to be met and no embarrassing, awkward moments over making mistakes. Children simply learn L1 effortlessly and at their own pace, stress-free with no time deadlines. Acquiring L2, like a child does, in a stress-free setting, is one of the key components of "the natural approach," a teaching method developed by renowned linguists Tracy Terrell and Stephen Krashen.

The natural approach in a nutshell: Don't force your language learning; don't cram a lengthy list of new vocabulary words in a squeezed time frame, as if you were in a timed contest, vying for a prize. Acquire your L2 in bite-sized chunks, at your own pace, but be consistent. Learning a little every day, gradually augmenting what you have already learned, is far more efficacious than a once-a-week-gotta-get-it-done cram session. Moreover, learn as much as possible in natural settings, involving specific content you are excited to learn about. Above all, to keep it stress-free, don't worry about making mistakes!

2. Avoid a strict grammar approach

According to Dr Krashen, language acquisition is largely a subconscious process that does not require an extensive use of conscious grammatical rules or tedious drill. Language is best learned by "osmosis." After all, this is how we learned our native language. As small children, we hardly worried about grammatical rules, nor were we given a list of new words to memorise by rote. We learned by simply being immersed in our language and out of necessity. We learned by associating words with contextual cues; e.g., mother points to a cat and says "look at the cute kitty." The child picks this up and learns what a "kitty" is. "Contextual learning," learning from everyday experiences - (the way children learn their L1), is far more effective than learning by rote.

Obviously, this is easier to accomplish when you are surrounded by native speakers. Fortunately, you do not have to be in the country where the L2 is spoken to experience some exposure. For example, you can go to a local Italian restaurant, for example, and order in Italian, or join an L2 speaking club, consisting of fluent speakers.

Although it is usually complicated for an adult to learn a foreign language without learning some grammar and memorising new words by rote, this should not be the only method used. Case in point: I knew an intelligent, retired lady who wanted to learn to communicate in French for an extended vacation in provincial France. She hit the grammar books hard - that was her single approach - and she answered all of the practice drills correctly; moreover, her ability to read French was impressive. Unfortunately, despite her dedicated, but "bookish" approach to French, she ended up being able to speak virtually no French and could understand very little, even when it was spoken very slowly to her. In short, the "old school" textbook-grammar-only approach will almost invariably result in reading and writing proficiency only while doing little or nothing to enhance verbal communication.

3. Immerse yourself in the L2

This is far easier done now from the convenience of one's own home than it was 30 years ago. Watch movies in the original version with English subtitles, listen to that L2 news stations, check out any manner of that L2 YouTube clips, get a penpal who speaks the language you want to learn from sites such as MyLanguageExchange.com or Speaky, or even hire a competent L2 tutor.

Many L2 learners complain that they reach a point where they can read the foreign language they are learning okay, but when it is spoken, the words are seemingly merged into one indistinguishable blur. This is where watching movies in that second language, with English subtitles enabled, is a great help: The subtitles are a great aid to separating the words out, and thereby significantly increasing comprehension. (Bear in mind that not all translations are exact, but most are at least very close representations of actual dialogue.)

Additionally, there are many articles and stories you can read, for example, in Spanish, French or German. To begin, there is a plethora of entry-level material on the web, such as children's stories, etc.

Finally, find your second language everywhere you can. For example, in the UK most sets of instructions and warnings that accompany products are in English as well as some combination of French or Spanish. Compare the English instructions to the French. This is a fantastic way to build vocabulary. Should you become proficient enough, follow the instructions in the foreign language!

4. Talk to yourself in the L2

Strange as it may sound, the more you talk to yourself in a second language, the faster you will learn. (After all, you certainly won't always have a native speaker to converse with at your fingertips.) Talking to yourself or trying to think in another language is a great way to pick up new vocabulary. By mulling over your day at the office, you will constantly find yourself confronted with new words and idiomatic expressions. For example, instead of thinking in English: "Gee, I have got to get that spreadsheet completed by tomorrow". Think it through in your L2, and you will find yourself looking up the foreign word for spreadsheet, and voilà: a new vocabulary word will be added to your ever-expanding repertoire. Remember: if you keep thinking and talking to yourself in your second language when you become proficient enough —typically when you least expect it— the joy of joys, you are very likely to experience your first dream in another language!

5. Dedication

Consistency and dedication are crucial. Frankly, you are wasting your time endeavouring to learn any second language without it. Practice and expose yourself to your target language every day! Adult learners who habitually keep telling themselves that they did not have time to study languages this week because of work, school, or family constraints, etc. are simply not dedicated enough and will most likely sink into stagnation. Moreover, can you really be that busy? Too busy with work? Why not listen to French music, or pop in a German learning DVD during your daily commute to work?

6. Have fun with it

Lastly, have fun. Learning, in general, is optimal when you are enjoying the learning process; contra wise, the capacity to learn declines when learning becomes a chore. Here are just a few suggestions: play Trivia Crack, using a foreign language option, learn a simple joke or watch the original version of a goofy comedy. Seeing yourself becoming progressively more versed in your chosen L2 is an immensely gratifying experience! Yes, you will reach plateaus along the way - those frustrating, but temporary hiatuses in the learning curve, but don't let that discourage you, as, with persistence, you will eventually rise above those momentary plateaus to potentially achieve the glorious heights of native fluency!

Al Hamilton is a retired French teacher and current tutor. He has comprised a list of six highly useful tips to aid anyone in learning a second language. This article is pedagogically sound as well as experience and research based.

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18 Sep 2017


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