Ten Foreign Language Study Tips

Learning a foreign language takes time and a lot of practice. Here are some language- learning

pointers that may help you as you learn a new language.

1. ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN CLASS WITHOT FAIL !even if you are not well prepared. Class time is your primary opportunity for practice. The moreyou speak the language, the easier it will become. There's no way to make up oral participation

and practice by reading the book.

". STD# E$ER# DA#%thletes and musicians know the importance of practice. !ou also must practise a foreignlanguage every day. "e realistic in your e#pectations$ learning a new language takes time and

effort. !ou will not be able to speak fluently after only one semester, but you will know a lotmore and be more proficient than if you had not invested the time and effort. foreign

language course is different from any other course you may take. Language learning iscumulative$ %tudy & or hours for every class hour to be a successful language learner.

&. LEARN AND RE$IEW NEW $OCA'LAR#.(ake flash cards. )rite the foreign word on one side of each card and the *nglish on the other.

Learn the gender of all nouns +masculine or feminine as you go. The best way to learnvocabulary for keeps is to practise using it right away.

(. PRCHASE A )OOD DICTIONAR#.nce you get serious about learning a foreign language, you need to invest in a decent

dictionary +/,/// entries or more. Learn how to use it0 Try not to think too literally and don't 1ust accept the first translation you see. 2ust as in *nglish, most words can mean more than one

thing.

*. LEARN EN)LISH )RA++AR IF #O DON,T ALREAD# -NOW IT.

3rammar is the skeleton of a language, its basic structure$ you must learn it. Learn the basicgrammar terminology 4 know what verbs, nouns, ad1ectives, adverbs, direct ob1ects are. )hen

you learn new verb con1ugations, practise writing them out in full 4 learn them like they are newvocabulary, and ensure you know their meaning and how to spell them. This is especially truefor irregular verbs.

. 'E PREPARED TO +A-E +ISTA-ES.

5on't be afraid to make mistakes while participating in class, but learn from the mistakes thatyou do make. !our first ob1ective is to communicate, not to speak perfectly. 6emember that nomatter how many mistakes you make, wherever you go in the world your sincere attempts tocommunicate in the native language of the country you visit will almost always be appreciated.

/. STD# OT LOD.Talk or read aloud while you are studying. !ou double the efficiency of your learning ability ifyou say the words while reading them. %tudying out loud also will improve your pronunciation,your listening skills, your retention, your self-confidence, and it really doesn7t take much longer.

0. TR# TO NDERSTAND HOW #O LEARN.8f you learn better orally, use listening tapes, C5s or videos to help you learn, and speak up as

often as possible. 8f you are a visual learner, focus more on the te#tbook, make flashcards, takenotes in class and write in the target language regularly.

. SE FOREI)N LAN)A)E OTSIDE OF CLASS.2oin a language club, watch a movie on %"% or read a newspaper or maga9ine in the language

you are trying to learn. Look up foreign-language websites 4 many are suggested in your te#t.:ractise with a foreign student who wants your help to learn *nglish or with another class

member.

12. 'E)IN TO THIN- IN A FOREI)N LAN)A)E.8ncorporating a new language into your lifestyle entails functioning in that language withouttranslating everything from your native language. Translating is time-consuming and ineffective

in real-life language e#changes. !ou can start by periodically naming the things that you see

 

during your daily activities. ;or e#ample, when you shop, name the items that you buy. %ilentlypractise small talk and imagine conversations with others.

RE+E+'ER38f you follow these suggestions right from the start of your new language learning e#perience,

the fun will increase and each step will become easier than if you have to try to s<uee9e inknowledge missed at the beginning. Learning another language opens the door to

understanding and appreciating other cultures while providing you with a new set of lenses toe#amine your own cultural values and biases. !ou have mastered your native language, and

there is no reason why you can7t develop proficiency in a second language. 8t all depends onyour attitude and your willingness to commit yourself to doing the right kind of practice. ne

si9e does not fit all, and individuals have to determine what learning strategies and activities aremost appropriate for them. However, if you incorporate the abovementioned tips into your study

sessions, you will be well on your way to a productive, en1oyable, and rewarding world languagee#perience.

Source: University of Wollongong http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/selpl/ml/UOW018!8.html