How to learn a language Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description

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First things first, develop a deep desire to master the language. This may seem obvious, but passion often brings the best results. Join a French (or whatever language you are learning ) speaking club where the enthusiasm is infectious.

Speaking and understanding

• When riding the train or car, walking down the street, waiting in line, etc. simulate conversations and dialogues in your head. Carry a pocket dictionary/grammar book with you to facilitate the process.
• Repeat and memorize whole sample phrases and sentences which embody grammatical rules. Grammar requires calculation before speaking. It is easier to use a memorized sentence pattern as a basis instead. Make a quota of phrases or sentences to memorize per day, depending on your schedule. For most people, memorizing 1 or 2 model pattern sentences everyday is not too difficult.
• We think in whole phrases and with emotions. So don't just memorize words but memorize a whole sample phrase with the evoked emotion. E.g. (Spanish) In order to remember the word 'bread' - 'pan,' use the sentence 'I eat bread with butter.' --'Yo como pan con mantequilla.' (Try to imagine that you are eating the bread) (This is also known as Total Physical Response)
• Likewise, try to imagine graphically the word or action you are learning. Can you see the bread with butter in front of your inner eye, even just for a flash? If so, this is a sign that your brain hemispheres have synced and the newly learned word will be available without requiring conscious recall.
• (Rote) Repeat the whole phrase/sentence until you can say it fast with out hesitation like a reflex - just like a karate move. Language is reflex.
• For vocabulary, substitute words in your new language into the language you speak normally. This will of course, cause fewer problems if you confine this to conversations with people you have notified of your strategy. E.g. (French) To make a cheese sandwich, put fromage between deux pieces of pain.
• Read the dictionary. Make it a habit to skim or browse through the dictionary and note down a few words that is obviously part of common everyday speech.
• When developing a mnemonic, take note that humorous phrases will help you to remember the new words.
• Most new languages contain previously unheard-of sounds. Practice them ad nauseam! Make yourself drill sentences full of new sounds and repeat them all the time. For instance, in French, "Il fait du vent" can be used to practice French f's, v's and d's, or "un grand vin blanc" for French nasals.
• Watch movies in the language and pretend or imagine that you already understand. Children assimilate languages unconsciously. TV shows and radio broadcasts are also good ways to practice a language.
• Speak with a native speaker if possible.
• Get the melody of the language by listening to songs you like and singing them. By doing this, you can reduce your accent and almost unconsciously memorize a lot of phrases. Get the lyrics though, it may be very difficult to understand the song without them.

• Do not underestimate reading. Read in the language as much as you can. Try newspapers and magazines at first. Reading will dramatically improve your vocabulary, your spelling, your grammar and your knowledge of the language culture. It is almost a prerequisite for good writing.
• Get a book in the new language and the same book in one you already know. Read them together, matching words in the two languages.
• A very good "first read" is the book The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Originally in French, it is easily available in a lot of different languages. In many languages, it is even online (legally), and can be read for free. The book is short, interesting (even philosophical) and contains simple grammar and vocabulary. Another good book, for similar reasons, is The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.
• Speed reading doesn't help when beginning to learn a language. Lip read so that you can hear yourself speaking. Speed reading discourages vocalization which is important when starting to learn a language. Speed reading of course has its place, but while beginning a language, a lot of 'hard' reading is required. Fundamental words and sentences need to be mastered. When one feels confident enough or is at an intermediate level, speed reading may help or could even be recommended.
• When learning vocabulary write down the words in two columns, one for your native language and one for the language to be learnt. Then go over them day after day in alternate directions and carry those words you didn't remember so far over to a new page. The repetitive writing often helps memorizing.
• Get a computer dictionary. It will take considerably less time to look up a word, greatly easing the pain of beginning to read in a foreign language.

Children

Children have an innate ability to acquire languages, which diminishes later in life. Vocabulary is the easiest aspect of a language to learn, accent is the most difficult; generally speaking, people who learn a language after the age of 7 will nearly always retain a slight accent. Therefore there is a distinct advantage to learning languages at an early age. Contrary to popular belief, babies who are exposed to more than one language should not be significantly delayed in developing speech. In fact, research has shown that bilingual children tend to have an intellectual advantage over children who speak only one language, even in skills seemingly unrelated to linguistic ability. In other words: if you have someone who can talk to your kids in another language, chances are it will only do them good. The best strategy for teaching a language to kids is immersing them in an environment where that language is spoken.

External links

• A community of net pals to practice languages in exchange
• Reading aloud (latin)

• Language learning, Language acquisition, Language education
• Flashcards and spaced repetition
• Pimsleur language learning system
• Computer-assisted language learning
• Second language, English as an additional language
• Bilingual, Natural language
• List of languages, Language families and languages, List of linguistic topics,List of official languages,List of languages by total speakers
• Philosophy of language, Transculturation
• Evolutionary linguistics
• intonation, accent, pronunciation, Sound change, Phonics
• Sign language
• Immersive learning
• Multilingual -Significant people and geniuses who know many languages.

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