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So you’ve just started to learn a new language (or just set up a resolution to learn one), you're not alone; every day there are embracing the challenge of mastering a language. It can be tricky to know where to start, and sometimes the biggest learning hurdle.
No matter what language you're trying out (and whatever your native language), there are always solid methods to help start your journey off and help reach your language learning goals. Here are some suggestions to help you get started.
Rather than attempting to memorize lengthy lists of words, it's more effective to break them down into smaller, more manageable chunks. You can group the words by themes or categories, such as food, colors or daily activities. Additionally, you can use mnemonic devices or create associations to help you remember them more efficiently.
For example, if you're trying to learn colors, you could use the acronym "ROYGBIV" and make a phrase out of that, like ‘Richard of York gave battle in vain’ to remember the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. ?You can make whatever acronyms or phrases are easiest for you to remember.
This technique can also be used to remember rules or concepts. By associating them with memorable phrases, images or stories, they become easier to recall and apply in practical situations.
Use spaced repetition systems like Anki or Quizlet to create flashcards for vocabulary. These systems use algorithms that show flashcards at intervals based on your familiarity with the words. Review flashcards regularly, focusing more on unfamiliar words to reinforce memory retention.
To create effective flashcards, it is important to focus on quality over quantity. Instead of trying to memorize large amounts of words at once, start with a smaller set of words and gradually add more as you become more comfortable. When creating your flashcards, include both the word and its definition. You can also include example sentences or images to help you remember the word more easily.
The more you practice something regularly the more likely it is to stick in your . You’ll be surprised how much you can retain over time with this technique that’s based on science.
A classic but essential technique. Divide your study time into short, focused intervals using the Pomodoro Technique. Set a timer for 25 minutes of concentrated language practice, followed by a 5-minute break. Repeat this cycle and take a longer break after every 4 cycles (2 hours).
This method boosts productivity and maintains focus during study sessions. It is great for those days when your attention span isn’t as sharp as usual. Find an online Pomodoro .
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information you are trying to learn, creating visual aids such as mind maps and infographics can be a helpful way to simplify complex concepts and make them easier to understand.
For example, when studying a new language, you may find it helpful to create a mind map that breaks down the different grammar rules, verb conjugations and key phrases you need to know. This can help you see how all of the different elements fit together and make it easier to remember them when you need to use them. It can be a great way to also notice patterns, which can be helpful for understanding a concept or language rule.
Designate a notebook or use digital tools to create a?vocabulary repository. Divide it into sections based on themes. For example, you could have a section for business vocabulary, another for scientific terms, and so on. This will help you to organize your learning and make it easier to find and review specific words and phrases.
As you come across new words, be sure to add them to your vocabulary repository right away. Include the word, its definition and an example sentence to provide context. You can also add images or audio recordings to help reinforce your understanding of the word.
The great thing about designing your own book is that you can present it however you want and in whatever way works best for you. Some people find the act of writing their learnings useful to remember what they’ve learned.
Regularly reviewing your vocabulary repository will help you retain the words you have learned and expand your knowledge over time. So make sure to set aside some time each week to review your vocabulary and add new words as you come across them.
Find beginner-friendly podcasts, , TV shows or audio dialogues in the target language. Listen attentively and pause at intervals to repeat what you've heard. Focus on mimicking the speaker's pronunciation and rhythm. This technique aids in comprehension and speaking fluency.
There are many free resources available online that can help you with this type of listening practice. YouTube is a great place to start, as there are many beginner-friendly clips available in a wide variety of languages; for example, if you're learning Spanish, there are plenty of podcasts available online and on Spotify.
These specific language learning methods, when incorporated into your language study routine, can significantly help aid your progress as a beginner and keep you on track. Experiment with different methods to find what works best for your learning style and stick to it.
Don't forget to try out different language learning strategies, even the ones that may seem weird or unusual. You might be surprised at what you find works well in improving your language skills.
If you're trying to learn English, make sure to read our blog post 6 easy ways to learn English or 3 ways to learn new English words.
Read more about our products for learners and check out our language learning app .
Around 20%?of the , making it an integral component in global business operations. But the question remains for business leaders and HR professionals: how can language learning, specifically, business English courses, drive your organization forward??Here are 8 ways language training can impact your business.
Stories can make us laugh, cry or tremble with fear. They can teach us valuable life lessons and transport us to other worlds. They've been around since the beginning of language itself, but can they actually help us learn a language?
Stories are one of the most useful tools?when teaching children?English. Not only do they help with listening and reading skills, but they can also support speaking and writing skills by providing context, language and structure.?
Very young learners may already be familiar with stories – they may hear them in daycare, school or at home with their parents. Therefore, incorporating these into their language classes may help them to feel more comfortable in their surroundings. And if children feel comfortable, they are more likely to be receptive to learning.?
Storytelling usually happens as part of a group in the classroom. This means that it becomes a bonding activity for children where they can communicate and subconsciously pick up the key language. While having fun listening and interacting with the story, they?soak up information without even realizing they’re learning.
So, what storytelling activities can we use with young?learners? Let’s find out.?
Often, we think of storytelling simply as reading a book aloud to children. Yet, there are other activities you can do. These include:
To get young children interacting with the story, first read out a sentence alone. Then, have the children repeat the line with you as a group. Repeat as many times as necessary, until the children feel confident with the language.?
If your learners are happy to, ask them individually to repeat the sentence after you. Make sure each one has a turn and praise them for being brave and trying to use the language.?
An activity that works well with children is to act out the story’s characters. For example, there may be animals, fairies, monsters or other exciting characters that they can each act.?
Ask them to make the noises of the animals, the wind, or the scenery to create an atmosphere while you read. This gets them interacting with the story and the rest of the group, which will help their communication and listening comprehension skills.?
Young learners react particularly well to visual aids and realia. Why not use puppets or dolls to act out the characters, or even ask students to have a go with them? They will engage more with the story and the language.??
Children’s story books are usually quite visual with illustrations and pictures. Make the most of these while telling the story. Try asking students questions about the images to get them using the vocabulary.?
You could ask them, “what can you see?”, “what’s he wearing?” or “can you find an apple?”. This is another great way to reinforce the vocabulary they’re learning in class.?
Use these activities individually or?incorporate a mix into your lessons. Either way, storytelling will help your learners with more than just developing their English language skills.?
While we often think of storytelling as a pastime for children, it can also be a useful language learning activity for adults.?
Stories are part of our daily lives, from news to social media to books and movies. Therefore, they can be extremely beneficial tools for English language learning.?
Yet, the way we approach storytelling as a class activity for adults differs to that of young learners. While we typically read fairy tales to young children, we can bring in a much wider range of content for adults, such as:
Storytelling can be a wonderful language learning tool for both children and adults. If you’re looking for a new way to engage, inspire and motivate your learners, why not try it in your next class??
Language learning is more than just something you study—it's a strategic move that integrates into every aspect of your life—socially, professionally and mentally. With English often being the common ground for global business, communicating effectively in this language has never been more important.
In this post, we uncover the benefits of language proficiency, particularly in English, backed by relevant statistics and insights from 蜜桃app's recent?ground-breaking new research.
