(adapted from a handout produced by the University of
Texas--Austin)
Though many students may feel they have a mental block or even
lack the aptitude for learning foreign languages, most can learn
a second language IF they are willing to put in the necessary
time. Here are some practical suggestions for studying
effectively, overcoming anxiety, and learning the grammar and
skills necessary for success in foreign language classes.
- Study every day. A foreign language course is
different from any other course you take. Language
learning is cumulative: you cannot put it off until the
weekend, or the night before a quiz or test.
- Participate in class without fail--even if you are
not well prepared. Class time is your primary opportunity
for practice. Volunteer to write homework on the
board. Call out the answers in class (no need to
raise your hand). Ask questions.
- Listen and repeat--you may feel like you're doing
an imitation of Speedy Gonzalez or Pepe LePew, but
listening and repeating is the natural way to learn a new
language. It's the way you learned English!
- Learn English grammar if you don't already know it. Grammar
is the skeleton of a language, its basic structure: you
must learn it. Review a simplified English grammar text.
Compare new grammatical structures in your foreign
language to their English equivalents, but notice the
differences!!
- Practice for tests by doing what you will have to
do on the test. If the test will require you to write,
then study by writing-- including spelling and accents.
There will be listening parts on every test, so practice
listening in class. Ask for practice questions; make up
your own test questions. Invent variations on patterns
and forms. Over-learn: study beyond the point of
recognition to mastery.
- Develop a good attitude. Have a clear
personal reason for taking the class. Leave perfectionism
at the door; give yourself permission to make mistakes
and learn from them.
- Get help if you need it. Talk with your teacher.
Form study groups among class members. Use tutoring
services. Don't wait!
LISTENING and SPEAKING are the two most important skills in
foreign language learning, but, like dance or music, they are
performance skills. Students in foreign language classes often
have difficulty hearing and speaking because they are anxious
about making mistakes. Give yourself permission to be spontaneous
and to take risks. However: Your classmates know
even less of the foreign language than you do, so make it a point
to listen to your teacher, and keep social
conversations to an absolute minimum.
LISTENING SKILLS TIPS:
- Participate silently in class when others are called on
to speak. Focus on the task; don't worry about how you'll
do. Follow the conversation and keep track of what you're
going to be asked to do.
- Take an active part in the dictation exercises--they are
a proven method of helping you develop your listening
skills!
- If you feel nervous, relax yourself physically by taking
a couple of slow, deep breaths. When called on, pause,
relax, and give yourself time to respond.
- At home, listen while a friend dictates to you and write
what you hear. Check for accuracy.
- Practice: join language clubs, watch foreign TV, listen
to foreign radio.
SPEAKING SKILLS TIPS:
- Study aloud! Mimic the sounds of the language. Don't
mumble. Although most people feel embarrassed making
strange sounds, the language will soon feel more familiar
to you.
- When called on in class, say something, even if
it might be wrong! You'll learn from it. If you
need a moment to think, repeat the question. If you don't
know the answer, say in your foreign language, "I
don't know" or "help!" (Spanish: "No
sé;" French: "Je ne sais pas.")
READING AND WRITING SKILLS are also of great importance in the
foreign language classroom, because they are the way most of our
testing is done. Therefore, it's very important for you to
develop these skills through classwork and homework.
READING SKILLS TIPS:
- First, read the vocabulary list for the assignment. Next,
read the questions related to the reading. Then read all
the way through a new passage two or three times,
guessing at meaning from context. Avoid
word-by-word translation.
- Isolate new vocabulary and study it separately. Make
flash cards. Carry them with you and recite them several
times during the day at odd moments. Overlearn them until
they are automatic.
- Isolate new grammatical forms and study them separately.
Write the pattern on a flash card and memorize it. Write
out and label a model sentence. When you encounter the
form while reading, pause and recite the pattern to
recognize the form.
WRITING SKILLS TIPS:
- Pay attention to detail: notice accents, order of
letters, etc. Compare letter-by-letter different forms
(singular, plural, gender, etc.). Write out conjugations
of verbs, and check your endings. Memorize irregular
verbs.
- To master spelling, have a friend dictate 10 words to
you. Write them out and immediately have your friend
spell them correctly aloud while you look carefully and
point at each letter. Repeat until you get all the words
right.
- Write (in your own simple foreign vocabulary words) a
story you have just read.
The
Linguist's Creed: A Christian reason for studying foreign
languages.
Study
Tips: The University of Texas at Austin put this site
together to give you strategies for studying all subjects, not
just foreign language.