| FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING: 5 MORE PRACTICAL | | | | This will allow you to learn proper |
| TIPS | | | | pronunciation and accent. |
| | | | |
| In my previous article we discussed the | | | | 3. READ THE NEWSPAPER: There are several |
| basics of learning foreign languages. To | | | | ways to get Newspapers, Magazines, and Comics |
| supplement your experience we will go over 5 | | | | in foreign languages. I mention these forms |
| more practical language learning tips that | | | | of print media because they are the most |
| you can apply easily in your daily life. | | | | conversational. They will teach you to speak |
| These tips to accompany your already existing | | | | and write like a native does in their natural |
| foreign language learning studies. | | | | state, not when they are trying to speak in |
| | | | dramatic or intellectual terms. You can find |
| 1. CARRY A DICTIONARY: I know that sounds | | | | these materials at libraries, online, or for |
| hard to do. I'm not talking about carrying | | | | languages like Spanish and Chinese often |
| Webster's collegiate dictionary that would | | | | times at your local newsstand. Most of them |
| require its own backpack. You can find | | | | are free. I prefer the online sources |
| miniature dictionaries that can easily fit in | | | | because they are always free and easy to get. |
| your pocket or purse. Although it will never | | | | You can find links to Newspapers in foreign |
| be convenient this is how I learned to speak | | | | languages here: . Comic books are great |
| French fluently. While I was in France | | | | because they are the most conversational |
| anytime anyone said anything I didn't | | | | print material. You can see the people in |
| understand I could instantly look it up, and | | | | action and connect with what they are talking |
| then use it in my vocabulary. Also, anytime | | | | about. |
| there was a French word I wanted to say I | | | | |
| could instantly look it up. This is so | | | | 4. WRITE LETTERS: Even if the letter is |
| important because there are so many times | | | | pretend write a letter about your day. This |
| when you are out and you want to know how to | | | | will force you to learn new words and to |
| say something but are unable to. Then by the | | | | think in the language. Although you WILL |
| time you get home and can look it up you have | | | | make mistakes, don't worry, it is all apart |
| either forgotten the word or forgotten | | | | of the process. I look back at some of the |
| altogether and you have missed out on a great | | | | things that I wrote when I was starting and |
| opportunity to you improve your language | | | | wonder what I was thinking. Even though the |
| skills. | | | | writings are reminiscent of the ramblings of |
| | | | a crazy man it helped me to refine my |
| * One alternative that is also effective is | | | | abilities. I can see the progress in my |
| to carry a pocket notebook where you can keep | | | | writings month by month they improve |
| a running list of words you've learned or | | | | significantly. Don't forget to pay attention |
| want to learn. | | | | to your Conjugations. |
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| 2. WATCH MOVIES: The great thing about | | | | 5. THINK THE LANGUAGE: Think as much as |
| English movies is that everyone wants them so | | | | possible in the language. When you are |
| that means they all get dubbed into a couple | | | | thinking at anytime during the day do it as |
| of languages. This may only work for French, | | | | much as possible in the foreign language you |
| German, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, or | | | | are learning. Fill in the blanks with your |
| Japanese but is still a great tool. Turn on | | | | native language but just keep thinking in the |
| the dubbing for the language your want to | | | | language. This is HUGELY important. One of |
| learn and enjoy your movie. Don't turn on | | | | the biggest problems when learning to speak a |
| the subtitles even if you don't understand | | | | foreign language is HABIT. If you are not |
| because you will start to focus only on the | | | | used to thinking in the language how will you |
| subtitles and not gain anything from the | | | | speak. This will prepare you to be |
| experience. Subtitles can be a good tool for | | | | comfortable and confident when confronted |
| learners who are already advanced and want to | | | | with the opportunity to speak the language. |
| learn the exact idiomatic meanings of | | | | If you make this a habit it eventually |
| sayings. This is also a great tool to | | | | becomes natural and extemporaneous. |
| increase your listening comprehension. Start | | | | |
| a small segment of the movie. Listen | | | | Stay tuned for more articles on improving |
| carefully and then replay it over and over | | | | your language skills in the near future. If |
| until you understand every word. Secondly, | | | | you have questions or requests feel free to |
| mimic the voices exactly in each segment. | | | | contact the author. |