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How To Learn A
Language
Part Four: Living The Language
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Using
Computers |
Few
people will dispute the fact that computers can make learning a
language more interesting and enjoyable. You may already be one of the
many students who are computer enthusiasts and make full use of the
excellent software available and the wide range of resources to be
found on-line. Alternatively, you may be an occasional user who wishes
to go a little bit further. Or perhaps you are unaware of the
possibilities computers offer the language learner, and want to find
out more.
Whatever
stage you are at, you will find in this chapter a great deal of
practical advice on all aspects of using computers to support foreign
language learning. Useful information is provided on word processing,
language-learning software, Internet-based resources and e-mail, with
clear guidance being given on how best to use these within a language
learning situation.
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Sound and
Vision |
There
was a time when the written word was the principal medium of education
and communication. If we wished to acquire knowledge, then we had to do
so through the printed page. Nations built vast libraries to store
their ever-increasing archives of books and newspapers, and entire
generations spent countless hours poring over them.
Nowadays,
we use electronic media to provide us with more instant knowledge and
information, and this is delivered to us through sound and vision: television,
video clips, DVD, radio and CD/MP3. The purpose of this chapter is to show how we can use these media to enhance our learning of a foreign language.
Information is given about the wide range of audio-visual language-learning resources now available on television,
DVD, radio, CD and MP3, along with suggestions as to how best to use them.
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People
Power |
It
isn’t easy to learn a foreign language on your own. It can be done, but
if you want to learn quickly and effectively then you’ll need the help
and cooperation of other people. To do this you have to make the effort
to establish effective working relationships; if you don’t, then you
risk missing out on a lot of valuable linguistic interaction.
People Power looks
at the roles of those individuals who can help you with your language
learning: teachers, fellow students, friends, family members, language
assistants and tutors. All these people have one thing in common: the
ability to influence and shape your language learning for the better.
They can all contribute something, but only if you allow them to do so.
Therefore it’s up to you to communicate clearly and constantly, so that
they are aware of your concerns, difficulties and needs. This chapter
shows you how exactly how to achieve this.
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Getting
Abroad |
Question:
what is the best way of improving your language skills? Answer: spend
some time in the country whose language you are studying. Students who
are lucky enough to be able to do this make much greater progress in
their language studies.
Being
in the foreign country places you within a different culture and
lifestyle; you can meet new people, experience their way of life and
thus expand your own horizons. You have almost unlimited opportunities
to listen to, speak, read and write the foreign language by interacting
with other people and/or media. Time spent in the foreign country is
highly valued by future educators and employers, and demonstrates that
you are a resourceful and enterprising student. On a personal level,
the periods we spend abroad are often the most formative, memorable and
fulfilling of our lives.
All the important aspects of learning a
language in the foreign country are covered in this chapter: the
advantages for you, the student, the types of stay available, and
advice and strategies on how to make the most of your time spent abroad.
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