Parlez vous my language? A few whys, tips and reasons for learning a language. (Learning a Foreign Language)

Member Name: azana

Product:	Learning a Foreign Language
Date:	10/06/09 (109 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Opens up a whole new world

Disadvantages: Can be offputting

If you are reading this, chances are you have already learned one of the most complex languages there is; English. As native speakers we often don't realise quite how challenging English is. If you don't believe me ask anyone who speaks English as a second language how hard it was to understand the difference between "I live, I am living, I have lived and I have been living" - in French anyway they are all said in the same way, but English is full of nuances and a ridiculously huge vocabulary.

As English speakers you would, therefore, think that we should all be equipped to learn another language, but my experience as a Teacher of Languages and rather poor learner of German leads me to believe that this is not necessarily the case.

Perhaps the thing that holds us most back in this country is, ironically, the fact that English is so widely spoken. Somewhere in our collective consciousness we seem to think that if we speak English loud enough everyone will understand us eventually. Anyone who has travelled will have found out that this isn't so, and that actually even the most pathetic attempt to speak to someone in their own tongue really does reap rewards and is always appreciated.

Personally, for me, speaking another language to bi-lingual level is a joy, it enables me to see the world differently. It is hard to explain but the way that I think in French is entirely different to my thoughts in English. In English I might feel "good" whilst in French I feel "well in my skin". I have gained so much from learning another language, and met people and been to places I wouldn't have any other way. You don't need to get to a very high level to reap the rewards in my opinion.

Now you might be thinking computers are the answer these days and learning a language is pointless. Spend any time on, e.g, a site like this and you soon discover the limitations of the auto-translator. If you don't believe me type "J'ai le cafard" into babel fish or the like, and the translation of "I have the cockroach" goes nowhere near explaining the great idiomatic expression in French that expresses feeling "down" or "blue".

Computers just can't get these nuances, where I would argue that, given the right motivation, we as humans can. Our brains are amazing and learning a language is one way of tapping into our untapped ability.

So if I have convinced you in any way to put behind you any prejudices you might be harbouring from any bad language learning experience, how do you go about learning a language? Hopefully some of my tips will help!

- Find your motivation. Whether that is that foreign holiday, being able to understand some of a subtitled film, wanting to help your child with homework or connect with others, think about what you want to achieve and keep that in mind.

- Work out which method works for you. We all learn differently, I know for example that I can't learn a word unless I have seen it written down. This may be you, or you might learn by hearing a word. We all need to hear a word at least 7 times before we can reproduce it, on average. Like babies who quickly learn words that are useful to them "biscuit" is quite often an early word, start with words of interest to you and don't be worried to have a go at speaking.

If you are working with a teacher they should know that everyone has a different learning style and cater for that. That said, in my own learning of German I have found teachers just not able to make me, a willing adult learner, understand, so you may have to find the right teacher.

These days there are lots of mainly free learning tools on the internet, as well as books. The bbc website is a good first port of call and some of the games and activities can be good fun and build up confidence.

The most effective form of learning is immersion, go into any inner-city multi-lingual school to see proof of that, but failing that make the most of opportunities to hear and speak the language that you are learning.

- Understand the process. These days it is generally accepted in language learning that being taught in the language you want to learn, the "target language" is what works best. This is a relatively new idea, but if you come across a teacher like me who mainly uses the target language to teach, don't be put off. If you allow yourself to listen to the words you do understand you will be suprised how much more will follow. You can work out the grammar later, and use your English knowledge to help your recognise words in another language (cognates).

As babies we all learned to listen, then speak, and as children to read and write. In language learning the process is, or should be, the same. Knowing this can help you learn. Also being aware that finding one skill easier than another is normal can help confidence too.

- Have fun! This is perhaps the most important aspect of all, if you can find a language you love you will enjoy it and learn it more easily.

That said I will not deny that learning a language does require hard work - my own experience of learning German is proof of that, and I have a husband, bless him, who after several French holidays can just about manage to ask for a beer and say "Happy New Year". Those methods that promise to "Teach you Spanish in a Week" are never going to be successful in my opinion and some effort is required.

You will probably have guessed that I am passionate about language learning and truly believe that the benefits to be gained are vast and that it is a worthwhile activity. I can't undo the negative impact of substandard teaching or ill-founded prejudices, but hopefully I have made a good case for having a go and being open to at least trying to learn another language.

My late father used to go on every holiday, to whatever destination, armed with a smile, a phrase book and an ability to mispronounce everything in every language. I totally admired his willingness to have a go and it made for some interesting bus journeys in Greece when I was a child. I think if we were all a bit like my dad the world probably would be a better place.

In my work I try to help people learn a language and hope that some of you, if you are not doing so already, can and will learn at least a small part of another language. It honestly opens up a whole new world! Bon courage! - that's french by they way, and if you have understood what it meant and didn't know it before you have already learned something new, see, it isn't too bad, is it?

Summary: Why I think language learning is a good thing