Improving wellbeing: Language learning with all five senses

A woman sat on a sofa with her eyes closed relaxing and medidating
Reading time: 3 minutes

Language learning does not just help us communicate better; it also opens up pathways to personal growth and well-being. By engaging all five senses in the learning process, you can elevate your experience, making it more immersive and enriching. The association of senses can also make it easier to remember words, giving you an excuse to take some time for yourself while still giving you a way of passive learning. Here’s how tapping into your senses can foster wellness through language learning.

Using your senses to improve language learning
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Touch

Incorporate touch into language learning by using physical objects associated with the culture of the language you're studying. Handling items like traditional textiles, pottery, or even tools can create a tangible connection to the language. As you touch and describe these objects in your new language, you activate sensory memory, which can improve retention and understanding.

You can do this with the clothes you wear or the objects around you, take a moment to clear your mind and feel the fabrics on your skin, or the furniture around you, using words from your target language think of ways to describe them. Is the fabric soft, scratchy or furry? Is the furniture cold, hard or smooth? We don't often pay much attention to the things around us every day, so giving them a little attention can pull us away from all the busy thoughts in our minds.

Additionally, engaging in activities such as calligraphy or crafting can link language learning with creative expression, further enhancing well-being through relaxation and mindfulness.

Smell

Smell is a powerful sense that can evoke memories and emotions. Use this to your advantage by exploring the aromas associated with the culture of the language you are learning. For instance, cooking or visiting markets with spices and foods specific to the region can stimulate your sense of smell while expanding your vocabulary. Describing these smells in the target language can help anchor words and phrases through scent associations, enriching your learning experience.

You can also do this in your everyday life, and it could be as simple as smelling food being made or drinking something you love; think of the ways to describe it in the language you're learning - is it woody, spicy, etc.? Take the time to take in and experience the different kinds of smells and simple everyday things you come across.

Sight

Sometimes, we get so used to the spaces we frequent we often overlook the finer details and features around us. It's easy to get so absorbed in studying or life in general that it's important to step away and take a breather.

Take a few minutes to look around you and look at the environment's fine details. What colors are around you? What textures and objects can you see on the walls? You can also take the time to do this outdoors. Think of the words in the language you're learning to describe the environment and colors around you. You may already go for walks as breaks from studying, so adding this step isn't much effort. Exercises like this can gently encourage learning and support well-being.

Sound

Listening is a crucial part of language acquisition and engaging with the auditory aspect of your target language can significantly enhance your learning journey. By now, most people know about listening to music, podcasts and audiobooks in the language you're studying to help you learn, but you can use sounds as an excuse to meditate and try to listen and take in the sounds around you, thinking about what they are and how they make you feel.

Think of words in the language you are learning to describe where they're coming from and what kind of sound they are (loud, sharp, quiet, etc.). If done right auditory engagement also reduces stress levels and boosts mood, as music and sounds often have a calming and grounding effect, contributing to overall well-being.

Taste

Explore the culinary traditions of the language you are learning to experience taste as a dimension of language learning. Trying authentic recipes or dining in culturally significant restaurants allows you to encounter the language in a practical setting while savoring the flavors that define a culture. This sensory experience creates a memorable context for language use, such as ordering in a new language or reading recipes, which aids in vocabulary retention.

This doesn't have to be for new foods or going out to eat either; it can be for familiar everyday things you eat and drink in your own home. Make sure to focus on the tastes you are experiencing and think of descriptive words in your target language to describe them (Sweet, chalky, sour, etc). This can also be a way to expand your vocabulary with more specific and nuanced words related to food and taste.

The power of multisensory learning

By engaging all five senses in language learning, you create an immersive experience that goes beyond just memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules. Multisensory learning allows for a deeper understanding of the culture, traditions and people associated with the language you are studying. This not only promotes personal growth but also fosters a sense of connection and well-being as you develop a stronger bond with the language and its speakers. So, use all your senses to enhance your language learning journey for improved wellness.

Learn more about wellbeing and learning in our posts 'Using language learning as a form of self-care for wellbeing' and 'Understanding and managing technostress'.

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    The ultimate guide to language assessment in business

    By Samantha Ball
    Reading time: 7 minutes

    Effective international communication is crucial in the world of global commerce. In today's borderless marketplace, companies need to be linguistically flexible to be successful. For HR managers and business practitioners, comprehensive language evaluations are not just an add-on but a vital duty that can enhance your organization's success in the international market.

    This guide will take you through the crucial role of language assessment in business. It will discuss why language assessment is important, how to effectively implement it, its benefits for students and business professionals, and the current tools and technologies available. By the end, you will have the knowledge to identify the significance of language assessment in your business and make informed decisions that reflect the essential role of linguistic ability in the modern global economy.

    Why language assessment matters

    Enhancing communication effectiveness

    Effective communication is the lifeblood of any successful business. When diverse teams come together, be it in an office, on a shop floor, or at a virtual meeting, the ability to exchange information clearly and concisely can mean the difference between streamlined operations and costly misunderstandings. Language assessment ensures that employees possess the necessary language skills needed to communicate across teams and with clients worldwide.

    Global market competitiveness

    Accessing international markets hinges largely on the language capabilities of your workforce. Assessing language skills not only amplifies your organization's ability to engage with prospective clients and partners but also ensures that the customer experience is seamlessly delivered, regardless of the customer's primary language.

    Talent acquisition and retention

    Proper language assessments play a pivotal role in the recruitment process. They aid in identifying candidates with the language proficiencies required for specific roles, such as those involving international correspondence or multilingual customer support. By enabling a streamlined and objective measurement of language ability, your business can attract and retain talent, securing a competitive edge in a multilingual talent pool.

    Types of language assessments

    Proficiency tests

    Proficiency tests are the benchmarks for evaluating a person’s overall language capability. This category includes tests that cover all language skills, such as reading, writing, listening and speaking, like the Versant tests offered by ÃÛÌÒapp. These tests provide a comprehensive analysis that helps gauge an individual's ability to function effectively in a language, both in academic settings, the workplace and everyday contexts.

    Interviews

    Conversational skills and the application and comprehension of language in real-world scenarios play a significant role in many job roles. Structured interviews that focus on language are a vital component of the language assessment suite. These interviews typically evaluate oral and sometimes written language skills, providing context-specific insight into how these skills might translate in a professional setting.

    Role-playing scenarios

    Simulations that mimic workplace interactions provide an immersive method of assessing language skills beyond language proficiency tests. Candidates engage in practical scenarios that mirror the challenges and dynamics of a business environment, which is particularly valuable for assessing their ability to manage real-time communication under pressure.

    Implementing language assessment

    Best practices for HR managers

    When starting your language assessment program, begin with a thorough needs analysis. This involves identifying which roles require language proficiency, to what level and in which languages. Then, select or develop an assessment that aligns with these requirements. It's also important to provide clear instructions and support for candidates, ensuring that the assessment process is transparent and equitable.

    Training and development strategies

    Personalized learning plans can be a game-changer for employees who require language improvements. Identify the areas for development, set achievable goals, and incorporate regular assessments to measure progress. This approach ensures that training is targeted and effective, helping employees advance their language skills in a way that's both strategic and supportive.

    Benefits for business professionals

    Career advancement opportunities

    Proficient multilingualism can open doors to international career opportunities and is a key differentiator in many sectors. A dedication to mastering a foreign language can lead to personal and professional growth, including access to leadership positions and broader responsibilities.

    Cross-cultural competence

    Language proficiency is closely tied to cross-cultural understanding and competence. Business professionals who possess these abilities can traverse cultural boundaries with sensitivity and insight, essential for global leadership and successful collaborations in multicultural teams.

    Enhanced collaboration

    Clear and expressive communication fosters an environment of trust and collaboration. By investing in the linguistic abilities and listening skills of your teams, you're not only improving the performance of individual employees but also elevating the collective capacity for innovation and problem-solving within your organization.