As in other areas of my life (files of files, lists of lists, labels on labels), I admit that I have become slightly obsessive about the way I approach language learning. This doesn’t mean that I have to partake in a ritualistic verb chant before dinner (nothing that dull) but it does mean that at the end of the day, I like to know that there is something in the knowledge bank - however small and random - that wasn’t in there at breakfast time.
Rather than going back to traditional classroom methods or laboriously reading a Balzac or a Brecht, these days we all want our language learning to be quick, fun and at our fingertips. So here are some simple and inexpensive ways to incorporate a little language expansion into your every day.
(1) MINE THE INTERNET. There are so many language and culture websites out there that you’re more than likely to feel overwhelmed until you find one that works for you. For language I like the ‘About’ series, combining good old-fashioned grammar with other random stuff, from the practical (‘How to type German characters on a keyboard’) to the quirky (‘Learn dog commands in German’). For further cultural enrichment, subscribe to a good blog - written in your native language about your country of interest. Observational, informative and often entertaining, you’ll have a wider frame of cultural reference when you actually visit the country or get into conversation with a native.
(2) Language apps have their pros and cons. Any claiming to teach you a language in a week are beyond misleading and others can be a little soulless and robotic. PODCASTS that introduce you to words in a context can be more effective as you’re more likely to retain the word long-term. Try a podcast like ‘News in Slow… Italian/Spanish/German/French’ etc.). Listen to it while you’re out walking the dog or doing the ironing. (Multi-tasking… how gratifying.)
(3) You don’t have to go to your local arthouse-cinema venue for a foreign language film these days – they’re likely to be on tap right there in your sitting room. There’s a good choice of WORLD CINEMA TITLES on Netflix, plus the BBC (particularly BBC4) is pretty good at dropping the odd foreign language film into the late night schedule. Don’t pressurise yourself by forgoing the subtitles (remember, dialogue can be very fast and colloquial); they can be useful for cross-referencing and you might even congratulate yourself on a more accurate or natural translation. Just try not to annoy the rest of the household with your frequent pausing!
(4) Scratch the surface on on-line bookstores and you’ll find all manner of language-enhancing NICHE READS from the light-hearted to the academic. If you are particularly time-poor and you literally have two minutes per day, the sentence-a-day approach may be enough to give your language some staying power. Try a book of quotes, or a novelty ‘365 Useless Facts’ type desk pad. My phrase of the day? ‘Avoir le trac’ (to have butterflies or stage fright). Random yes, but as with ever other word, you never know when it might come in useful!
For lingoo.com members who have boosted their language ability on a homestay or language exchange, the above ideas are all achievable (and enjoyable) ways to ensure that the momentum isn’t lost. You don’t have to be as sad as me and write down your vocab newbies in a notebook… (alphabetised, naturally). Read more about becoming an adult member on Lingoo.
