Learn a second language fast with fun

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Offline Shamim Ansary

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Learn a second language fast with fun
« on: December 02, 2018, 11:45:56 AM »
First of all we have to realize how we learned our first language? It will ease us a simple process without much worry.

First language grabbing

Gradually we grew up. When we were babies, we used to learn our first language by immersion, listening and mimicking every single day, yes, every single day.

As a grown up, we saw, felt, listened, touched and grasped many things gradually.

We applied our audio visual experience to reflect our learning in our brain.

All we did was to listen, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we are still learning our first language.

What about grammar?

Did we receive a grammar lesson from anyone? Apparently, the answer is No.

We didn’t study grammar books at the beginning of our learning.

In fact the grammar seemed very difficult to us (at least to me, really!). We continuously connected verbs. Recalled numerous vocabulary. We did many mistakes but didn’t count every time we made a mistake. We learned through mistakes. So, we could learned it so well as we are now.

More or less, the similar process is to replicate now in case of acquiring the second one.

Learning process of any language comprises of the same four phases, or say for separate interlinked skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking – which are again linked to thousands of separate, yet linked facts – alphabets, grammar rules, vocabulary words, pronunciation rules, spelling, accents, tones, etc. Let’s start all these with fun.

We will be going apply the experience of learning our mother language with lot of fun in case of second as well using the following set of skills:

Listening, and

Speaking

There are many tips on how to attain listening and speaking skills for learning the second language. Let’s dive deeper. Let’s make things much easier. Incorporate fun in the learning process.

Let’s give an example: consider driving!

Every time we start a new vehicle, we have to learn the controls to operate and drive. Think about bicycle. The first time we drive, it takes a while to learn the controls. The next time when we learn driving a motorbike, it seems easier since there are many similarities.

Now, let’s think back to how training centers teach us the controls of the bicycle. They give us just enough hands on training so that we can at least start riding. That was our goal: to drive a bicycle.

Subconscious learning

So the sooner we will be driving, the sooner we will be having fun. And the driving itself turns to exercise, isn’t it? Consequently, since we will be having fun, we don’t even realize that we are still in the learning process how to drive a bicycle, motorbike, or a car. It just happens subconsciously.
How did we get so good at driving? By driving and driving, i.e., practicing. Interestingly, it didn’t feel like practicing because we were very prompt having fun to realize that we were practicing.

Practice

Now, let’s think if this driving taught us how to drive the way languages are traditionally taught in the schools. They would have you practice paddling for half an hour. Next job is to wearing helmet. Then knowing traffic rules. Then tomorrow, more paddling and then more traffic rules. Finally the next day… I am sure you get the point.

Replication

Learning any language is similar to this example. Our primary objective was to speak, not to conjugate, or memorize. Therefore, the quicker we will be able to speak, the better.

We will need just a handy elementary level of vocabulary and then we should start speaking, it’s the very part of exercise, it’s our goal. 16 tips to acquire a Second Language with a zero knowledge may help you a further research.
So the quicker we get to speak, the quicker we will be having fun. And when we will be having fun, we won’t quit. So, if we don’t quit in the middle, we are going to learn. Its sure, this process will enable you to learn faster than the traditional boring methods.

Learn naturally

Grammar is obviously important. So, we will be require it. We cannot have a deeper drive in a language without properly knowing it.

Now, let’s consider how we usually learn grammar traditionally in the childhood. It is a way to just give names, definition and categories to things we already knew.

Everyone of us learned grammar in a natural way only by hearing it, at the outset of our learning.

The same process is to be applicable for Vocabulary of the second language acquisition. We hear words in context and guess their meanings considering their concepts drawn in mind.

As learners, we are continuously going through this practice even in your native language.

Remembering past

In the childhood, we were not taught to drill into us the right way to apply, do, did, done, going. Our parents didn’t stick to us continuously pointing finger at objects mentioning their names. Yet, we learned it naturally before entering school.

Learning from experience

We learned all the required elements of grammar and collected preliminary vocabulary by our experience and repetition by listening and speaking.

How quickly we can learn the second language depends on our receiving ability and the listening power, also how frequently we can process and deliver through speaking.

Source: https://www.careercliff.com/second-language-fast-learn-fun/
"Many thanks to Allah who gave us life after having given us death and (our) final return (on the Day of Qiyaamah (Judgement)) is to Him"

Offline Shamim Ansary

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Re: Learn a second language fast with fun
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2018, 11:47:38 AM »
16 Tips to Acquire a Second Language with a Zero Knowledge

If you want to learn a second language online other than your mother language, but don’t know from where you should begin, don’t think you are the alone. You are not too late. According to a survey cited by Forbes, 17% of Americans know a second language. Many people around you are in same dilemma, they wish to learn a second language but can’t start on right point overnight. This blog intends to give you confidence that you are among the luckiest because you have decided to achieve fluency and is searching for content and advice free of cost.

Studies have shown that Learning another language is useful for many reasons. It may be due to travel, migration, office, curiosity, career, skill, networking, smartness, or anything. Yes, you can do it. You will find a lot of blogs on how to study a foreign language. I suggest to read some of these for a 360 degree study. You can search YouTube also for step by step learning.

Although some says that childhood is the best time for learning, we believe learning has no time frame. Whatever you do, please follow the below advice that would aid you to achieve your goal:

Strong will, motivation

Will power is the main trigger for achieving your goal. Determine your mindset that at any cost you will not skip this process. It happens frequently that due to lacking of obligation imposed, some people drop this or linger this as per wish. Careful, don’t allow the laziness to dominate you!

Start today, now!

Overthinking is nothing but a procrastination. Don’t think too much, it’s time for action. It’s better to start action now, instead of waiting for any suitable moment in future.

Set timeline and deadlines

It is not necessary that you have to work on your objective same time of the day, but at least you have to maintain some stipulated time everyday. I am sure you cannot ignore it’s importance in the midway that is going to add a skill to your career. There are many time management tips in the internet, check it out in case you are a busy person. It will be good to manage a time in the morning when the brain is susceptible to learn fresh. Early rising and not excessive napping in the noon will increase your time span of the day. However you can do it any time of the day, as well as In the traffic jam, in the queue of train or bank, or transition time in airport or meeting.

Gather content

You have to workout on the process and content of learning. It’s not like the constitution that to be followed rigidly. You can alter as per your level of understanding. Visit related blogs, see useful videos, bookmark them, download them. You should customize your study contents according to your requirement, it can be of elementary, moderate or expert categories. Don’t worry, everything are there in the internet. If needed, you can collect some printed matters, books, reference, journals from shops. Some audio visual materials will also be required during the process.

Be consistent

It will give you much ease on way of learning once you will be stick to your goal continuously and consistently. Remember, it’s not the language you talk to, it’s a newer one, so, much effort and persistence will be required all through the way.

Have patience

Sometimes, you may feel it’s hard it complete. It is obvious in any arduous process. Please have your mind under control. Don’t skip. Yes, you can have a break if feels over-burden. If you can’t read or write, at least contemplate what you have learned already. Make the learning a fun.

Use technology

Technologies are a great tool now a days to assist you on learning. Transform your use of technology into a productive one. You can take refuge to your Android, PC and laptop as learning tools. There are many apps related to almost every language. Dutch translator Els De Keyser recommended Duolinguo for its gamified approach to grammar, and Anki for memorizing vocabulary with its “intelligent” flashcards. Anki is a free software program that relies on a concept in intervals (For example, only on days 1, 4, 10, 20, 35, 60, etc.) is much more effective than studying all at once.

Build community, partner

To share and practice about your learning path as well as contents, you have to create your community with at least one/ two persons of overall same mindset. It will greatly assist you to practice your day to day learning. You can also create online community where you can discuss over message, email or video chat. The whole process will enhance speed and enable practice.

Self partnership

It is a situation when you don’t have any second or third partners to study together. In case you have no one else to speak to on your way of learning, there’s nothing wrong with talking to yourself in a foreign language you wish to grab.

Practice

You know the old Maxim that says, practice makes a man perfect. The same rule is applicable here too. You can supersede yourself only when you will be in a regular practice day by day.

Don’t worry about mistakes

Mistake is an inevitable part of any progress. It is told, who has not done any mistake hasn’t gone through any innovation. Smart persons never be ashamed of their mistakes, rather they learn from their mistakes. However, I didn’t mean to jump into intentional mistakes whatsoever, I only meant to set acceptable mindset to mistakes that lead to learning in the long run.

Grow fun, interest

Ideate some fun ways to practice your new language: make a play with a friend, make a dialogue with you peer, draw a sketch, write a poem or at least talk to whomever you find nearby. If you can find a way of learning with fun, success will beacon you much faster speed. Watching movies with subtitle is a way to learn with fun.

Budget

You may require some budget for learning, i.e., buying content, printing, internet, mobile, or may be mentors, etc. However it is not a mandatory part, and also I am sure you are positive to expense some money to gain such a valuable skill, aren’t you?

Watch others’ talk

Best way to observe any native to talk- if not possible, TV shows, movies and interviews of the same kinds will do. Different languages demand different requirements on the learner’s tongue, lips, teeth and throat. Pronunciation is just as much physical as it is psychological. It needs different attention. However, no one expect your level of command over a second language will be as controlled as a native’s. It will assist you to listen and speak that desired language.

Come out of comfort zone

As you are going to learn a new thing, a new environment also need to set. No matter how much you have learned, you won’t ever be able to speak a language without putting yourself out of your comfort area: talk to your co-passenger in the language, advice your juniors, ask for directions, convey message, order food, try to tell a joke, make a gossip. The more frequently you will be doing this, sphere of your comfort zone becomes larger and the more at ease you can be in new situations.

At the outset you will be going to face challenges: such as the pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, the syntax, or you don’t really get the sayings, the most crucial matter is to always develop a mindset of out of comfort areas.

Listen others

It will be very helpful for you if you learn to listen the language before you can speak it well. Every language has some unique features. It sounds strange the first time you hear it. The best way to be familiar by exposing yourself to it as well as to continue speaking it properly. Listen to local music, capture lyrics, watch movies with subtitle, read literature and books from that language. This process will assist you to grasp listening skill, as well as speaking through mimicry.

Now, let’s check out about the content outline that you would have to engulf. There are plenty of content guidelines on various languages in the internet.

Choose your desired language course from anywhere in the internet, and follow the process gradually.

Source: https://www.careercliff.com/second-language-acquire-tips-zero-knowledge/
"Many thanks to Allah who gave us life after having given us death and (our) final return (on the Day of Qiyaamah (Judgement)) is to Him"