polyglot sock

so, it's a relatively well-known fact that our native languages are connected with emotions and our past experiences, while languages we acquire later in life (especially if we have very limited exposure to the languages in question) are more... rational, so to say. distanced from us in a way

a fun way to connect a foreign language with emotions/past experiences (in case you want to do or just for fun) is:

a) watch ads in your target language (vpn can be of great help)

b) listen to children (especially pre-schoolers) use the language

because these are two experiences that we do get with our first language and not with other languages unless we live in countries where they're spoken

lifehack #2: even the easiest beginner prompts can be made more challenging by adding "why?" as an additional question:

what are your hobbies? why?

what did you do today? why?

what did you have for breakfast? why?

so, imagine you're listening to a song in english (might be a different language, but let's take english as an example). you really like it and want to learn the lyrics and sing along (even if it's in your head and not out loud). but the song is in a variety of english diffrerent from the one you usually use (e.g. you speak american english while the song is in british english or vice versa). how do you pronounce the words?

if your foreign language teacher with whom you have another language in common asks you why? or a similar extra question during the lesson, try to answer using your target language. even if your level is A0.5. even if you don't know half of the words you need and replace them with their equivalents from other languages. even if you botch the grammar completely.

because it's a challenge and we know that. it helps you a) come out of your comfort zone, b) think outside the box (how can i say it if i don't know how?), c) practice what you know but might have forgotten/aren't sure about, and d) probably learn something new

take the risk!!! it is worth it! try to say at least something! we aren't asking you just because we genuinely care about the reason, we also want to see what you can do in tricky situations. we know there's an easier path and trust me, it makes a big difference when students don't take it

if there is a possibility — try. we don't want you to give a correct answer. we aren't expecting you to.

part 1/?

1. english: baby

looks like a word that means baby. a bit basic, but easily pronounceable. 3/5

2. french: bébé

cuter and even easier to pronounce than baby. no silent letters. but gotta take away a point for dropping sticks on the e's :c 4/5

3. russian: младенец

what on earth is this. did you guys have a vowel limit or what? sounds academic. i ain't getting a degree just to say baby. -1/5

4. finnish: vauva

looks like this word was invented by babies themselves. you say it and immediately understand what it means. finally someone who gets it right! 5/5

5. japanese: 赤ちゃん (あかちゃん)

1. cute animals🐶🐱🐹🐰

2. colourful

3. fun songs🎼🎤

4. comics with interesting & diverse characters

5. all the stuff you need to talk about yourself & your interests

english textbooks for adults:

i'll start with some of mine:

1. five tons of vocabulary per lesson

2. no revision at all: 5% of words from the previous lesson came up? consider yourself lucky