9 points about language learning and how Iām learning 20+ of them
Iāve had a few requests to write about how I learn my languages. To different degrees, thereās currently 20+ of them and I donāt see myself stopping yet. The thing is, learning languages comes really easily to me and I want to share, maybe it will be helpful to somebody else.
First, Iād like to have a look at first versus second language acquisition. Iām a linguist and Iām super interested in Child Language Acquisition. That however, has a critical age of 14 (or so I was always told) and is then no longer possible and any language learned after that age will never progress as quickly or canāt be learned perfectly.
Well. I disagree.
The simple difference is - first language acquisition is how you acquired your first language(s) as a child. By imitating, finding patterns, etc. Second language acquisition is what you know from language courses. Vocabulary, irregular verb tables, endless exercises.
Now that we got some of the terminology off the table, let me see how I actually learn languages:
1) I utilise elements of the first language acquisition rather than second language
Iāve only studied vocab a couple times at school, when I put them into Quizlet or when someone forced me to. Iāll get back to it in another point. I donāt learn patterns. I know there is one and I let the input do its magic of slithering into my head. Again, more on that in point 2. You always get told youāll learn a language better when youāre thrown into the country where they speak it.Ā And itās so true because of the processes behind it. Because input and immersion are the keys and thatās how children learn, too.
2) I donāt cram languages. I process them.
Around langblrs, I keep seeing all the ācrying over verb tablesā, ātrying to learn a 1000 words this weekā and the like. That may work for you, sure. But Iāve never done that. I did learn a few irregular verb patterns for German in class, but while I could recite them, it wasnāt helpful. In Irish, I sometimes still wonder which verb āAn ndeachaigh tĆŗ?ā comes from. The thing is, youāre able to process language. You know this word is probably irregular. If you come across it and donāt know what the irregular form is, look it up. After youāve looked it up for the tenth time, youāll probably remember by then. Same with anything else. Donāt try to learn things by heart when it comes to languages.
3) Vocab??
Same rule applies here. Iāve only learned vocab at school and then a handful of times when I wasnāt too lazy to put it into Quizlet (which is fun and I learn something, but itās more of a useful pastime than anything). When you read, just skip the words you donāt know and only really look them up if you canāt tell by context. NEVER translate vocabulary. I mean, sure, look up what it means, but donāt connect it to the word itself. Connect it to the meaning. Pictures work better. As for abstract words, imagine the concept. Just try not to bridge the meaning of the word with your native language. Languages in your brain are meant to be two separate units. Unless youāre working on a translation piece, they shouldnāt be ātouchingā.
4) I use example sentences for everything.
Grammar guides are useful but rather than learning all the rules at once, take it one step at a time and remember some example sentences and let them guide you through the grammar rule you need.
5) Input is everything. Output is hard, but youāre basically imitating input and utilizingĀ patterns you know (or think you know).
Let me give you an example. Letās say Iām writing a piece on my daily routine, for example. I make use of the example sentences and try to tailor them to my own needs. Trial and error, if I make a mistake, itās okay, if somebody points it out, I probably wonāt make it next time. As I progress, I will gradually remove the mistake. Same goes to new words and new verbs. Use the input youāve got. Does this verb sound like some other verb youāve heard before? Itās might have a similar conjugation pattern. You can check it, you donāt have to.
6) Learning languages should NOT be stressful!
I never stressed over learning a language. Sure, Iām frustrated that after a year and a half of learning Irish, Iām not 100% fluent, but Iāve never stressed over it. Iāve never cried over it. Iāve never cried over a language (I only cried after a French oral exam which I thought I failed). Donāt be hard on yourself and try learning through a method thatās not stressful. Watch videos for children. Read books for children. Write down cool things in your target language(s).
7) Youāve learned a language before. Why wouldnāt you be able to learn it now in a very similar way?
This is basically me saying that I have little belief in the efficiency of pure second language acquisition. Maybe a few individuals can reach fluency by cramming a language, the thing is, I think that if we concentrate on processing instead of remembering, just like we did when we were children, we can reach better results in a shorter amount of time. Also, if this is your third or fourth language, compare to languages you already know.
8) I donāt start with basics. I start āsomewhereā.
Delve into the language the second youāve started. Are you overwhelmed? Thatās fine! Youāll find your way around it. Start with word meanings, finding out what kind of sentences those are and then build your way around it. Donāt start saying āhelloā and āIām fromā. Those are cool, but usually, they are used in a different way when you actually go out and speak. Youāll get them along the way.
9) Donāt rely on instructions (only). Rely on yourself.
This is just my two cents. Iāve pieced this together trying to remember how Iāve learned what Iāve learned and comparing it to how others around me learned. Please, let me know if it makes any sense. I may edit this and post this again later if I have any more ideas. Feel free to contribute or to bombard me with questions. Iām happy to answer.
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