Linguistic Lover’s Learning List

Growing up in a biracial household meant that other then the universal language of English I was exposed to Cantonese since childhood. In my post Be French: Be You I mentioned that I was an exchange student in France studying Philosophy and Literature from 15-17 years old. I’ve moved from Sydney, Australia to Milan, Italy in the past year learning Italian along the way. I’ve also tutored English part-time to ESL students in Australia, China, Hong Kong and now Italy. None of my experiences however have been as profound as the period spent volunteering in Sichuan the Earthquake affected province teaching English this year, as you could imagine.

Learning a new language is tricky but doesn’t have to be all about textbooks, dictionaries and phrase books; although they certainly have their place. To make progress fun I believe we need to take a consistent & creative approach that flows as naturally as breathing.

Here are some personal tips that have helped me:

1. Speak & Mingle

• Immerse ~ If you are already in another country then immerse yourself as well as you can. Soak it up! Home will be the same when you go back. If you are not in a new environment you can still achieve results by changing to different hang outs around town. French Cafés, China Town, Spanish Clubs… you may be surprised what you find in your backyard and what other like minded people you may meet too.
• Friends ~ Make as many friends as you can that don’t speak your language. It’s great to know people who you can communicate with effectively in times of support but don’t be shy with those who you can only use sign language with initially. It will motivate you all the more to be able to express yourself properly.
• Insist ~ People don’t speak to you in your native tongue. Most will want to “practice English” with you but don’t let it happen too often or you will use it as a crutch and never grow.

2. Read: Visit the Library

• Children’s books ~ At the beginning you are at the level of a child. Books aimed at children are fabulous ways to learn spelling, grammar and pictures help!
• Familiar series ~ Patience and interest may wear thin on children’s books though and once your level is okayish it’s a good idea to read books with plot lines that you are familiar with. It’s especially good to read novels you have previously read in your own tongue that way increasing your likelihood of understanding.
• Comics ~ Comic strips are brilliant since you can always follow the storyline visually at least. Even if you only pick up a word here or there you can still figure out what’s going on and are less likely to get lost as reading straight text. They are generally humourous and most popular ones have been translated the globe over.
• Aloud ~ Reading out loud means you won’t just skim over words but may actually string together meanings you wouldn’t have realised otherwise.

3. Write

• Notepad ~ Record the new words you learn or ones you want to learn in a little notepad.
• Diary ~ If you keep a Diary start making an entry every now and then in your new language. It doesn’t matter if it hardly resembles the actual language, is spelt the way it sounds and only makes sense to you. That’s okay. When you muster the language you probably won’t even be able to decipher your mumbo but it’s of no importance since it’s a great exercise and way to accustom yourself.

4. Music

• Listen ~ Find artists you like and download their songs to your Ipod. Music speaks to the soul even in a foreign tongue.
• Watch ~ Music clips on Youtube.
• Translate ~ Try to find the lyrics and then translate them with a dictionary or watch the videos with subtitles. Next time you hear the song you understand the words then and it means a lot more. I set this exercise for my students too.

5. Poetry

• Translate ~ A poem or two. It’s a win win situation. You’ll learn new words plus gain an understanding of beautiful poetry written from another culture’s perspective.

6. TV: 24/7

• Watch ~ Watch TV and advertisements too. Everytime you watch the box it’s educational! The best part really comes when you start to understand the telly.
• Listen ~ Have the TV on constantly. Whenever you are at home it is good to have it even just as background noise. That way you get used to the different sounds and accents.
• Repeat the News ~ Repeat what you hear out loud, even if you have no clue what they’re saying. That way you practice forming the right sounds (News is generally broadcast in polished neutral tones). I know 2 unrelated people who claim separately that they taught themselves Mandarin by following this method. If you are not in a foreign country see what your TV stations have to offer in the language of your choice. I know SBS do news programs in different languages at set times daily and also do movies every now and then.

7. Movies

• Watch ~ Movies you have already seen so the plot makes sense.
• Subtitles in English ~ Watch new movies with translated subtitles to start with.
• Subtitles in your chosen language ~ As your knowledge of the language grows begin watching movies subtitled in the language you are studying. In this way you will learn the spelling of certain words or phrases and find it easier to follow when the characters speak fast.

Once you have achieved the basics of communication all that lies ahead is mastering fluency and maintaining your grasp. It’s said that when you start dreaming in another language is when you truly have embraced it. So dream away. Why not daydream in it in the meantime?

Photos from here & here

Now I am aware that some of my readers are Teachers as well as Students so if you have any tips or stories to share… Please do!