Today, my son and I were watching this video of the original introduction to the Spiderman cartoon. He loves watching it - and so do I actually - we repeated it 4 times before I had to shut it off.
I noticed that he was carefully practicing the lyrics and trying to get them all down, so afterwards I asked him, "Was that cool or what?"
His reply was yes - and it illustrated for me the importance of entertainment in learning, especially for people doing self-study. The excitement helps fuel the learning process.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Vocabulary Flashcards
Flashcard Exchange is a great tool if you like to use flashcards for your study. They offer a free account, and I've found there are a few free resources specifically for language study - take a gander at them!
"Stretch" & Learning
In creating a daily learning routine for yourself, you're probably making choices about which drills and practice you do, just like I do. Well, I've noticed that it's incredibly easy to fall into the trap of rehashing the same ground, and not challenging yourself quite as much as you should.
Put another way, once you have a piece of vocab down, you don't have to practice it as much to keep it fresh in your memory - so you should move to more challenging vocabulary.
While that makes the administration of learning a bit harder, it's important to set up new challenges for yourself on a regular basis, so that you continue to build your skills.
I'd set a time each month to take a look at your routines and "up the ante"!
Put another way, once you have a piece of vocab down, you don't have to practice it as much to keep it fresh in your memory - so you should move to more challenging vocabulary.
While that makes the administration of learning a bit harder, it's important to set up new challenges for yourself on a regular basis, so that you continue to build your skills.
I'd set a time each month to take a look at your routines and "up the ante"!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Surviving the "Dip" - Theory
Like marathon runners, learners of any subject go through times where there excitement is high, and times when it is a real struggle to practice. But regardless of the tools you use, or the subject you are "training" in, you need to weather the dips.
Just like a marathoner running a race, you are eventually going to hit a wall - the marathoners typically hit the wall in the last miles of the race, ironically enough. But they often experience smaller dips earlier in the race.
So if you are learning a foreign language, when do the dips hit? What do you do to overcome them? In past posts, I've thrown out some ideas, but my most basic one is this - language learners often hit a wall because they can't easily apply what they know to real life.
What I mean is this - if you read books and do written language practice at home, but never write a letter to anyone in that language to actually communicate to them, it's...well, always just academic.
Real life application is really important. I play guitar and have played in bands for a long time - but I often have an irresistible urge to play a show or record the songs I've written. It isn't good enough for me to play or practice every day - there needs to be a fulfilling end to your efforts, not just a goal.
So, if you are learning a language, what is your fulfilling realization of your efforts? The goal might be "learn to speak Spanish" but when you think about it, that just isn't motivating! If the real end is to read the writings of a famous Spanish author in the original text, or to travel to Spain and speak only Spanish - well those are examples of fulfilling realizations of your efforts. More importantly, you can set up intermediate milestones (speak to a friend at work who speaks Spanish, read a Spanish newspaper, etc.) that will keep you from tiring of your pursuit.
Like a marathoner, don't just train to be fit! Train to run the race - the fitness will happen on its own!!
Just like a marathoner running a race, you are eventually going to hit a wall - the marathoners typically hit the wall in the last miles of the race, ironically enough. But they often experience smaller dips earlier in the race.
So if you are learning a foreign language, when do the dips hit? What do you do to overcome them? In past posts, I've thrown out some ideas, but my most basic one is this - language learners often hit a wall because they can't easily apply what they know to real life.
What I mean is this - if you read books and do written language practice at home, but never write a letter to anyone in that language to actually communicate to them, it's...well, always just academic.
Real life application is really important. I play guitar and have played in bands for a long time - but I often have an irresistible urge to play a show or record the songs I've written. It isn't good enough for me to play or practice every day - there needs to be a fulfilling end to your efforts, not just a goal.
So, if you are learning a language, what is your fulfilling realization of your efforts? The goal might be "learn to speak Spanish" but when you think about it, that just isn't motivating! If the real end is to read the writings of a famous Spanish author in the original text, or to travel to Spain and speak only Spanish - well those are examples of fulfilling realizations of your efforts. More importantly, you can set up intermediate milestones (speak to a friend at work who speaks Spanish, read a Spanish newspaper, etc.) that will keep you from tiring of your pursuit.
Like a marathoner, don't just train to be fit! Train to run the race - the fitness will happen on its own!!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Notes in Spanish Podcasts
In my never ending pursuit for content which can help me learn Spanish, I was referred to this site, which features podcasts to help you learn or maintain your Spanish. For me this works well for road trips for work, when I need an alternative to NPR.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
TIP: Speak to Your Kids, Friends, or Family
One of the things I've noticed lately is that speaking to your kids (or friends, spouse, etc.) on a daily basis even if they don't speak the language has a huge impact.
I routinely use phrases like "A donde vas?" or "Que quieres?" with my son. He now knows what I am asking, and responds in English most often. The weird thing is, after so much repetition, I also don't think about the English translation!
Now I'm starting to try to say other, more complicated things using what I'm learning.
It really helps retention.
I routinely use phrases like "A donde vas?" or "Que quieres?" with my son. He now knows what I am asking, and responds in English most often. The weird thing is, after so much repetition, I also don't think about the English translation!
Now I'm starting to try to say other, more complicated things using what I'm learning.
It really helps retention.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
The Importance of Variety
Recently, in my quest to learn Spanish, I've noticed that one of the walls I hit is one of interest.
As many of you who have used books, like Pimsleur or Berlitz, or tapes/CDs, will understand my point. It gets boring to drill on chapters of a book repeatedly - not to say that it isn't worthwhile to go through a book or CD/podcast from time to time.
I have a couple books, sites, and products that I'm using to learn (apart from the actual interactions I'm trying to have with people):
- Muzzy - The content is a little outdated (it appears that they are really trying to maximize the value of an investment by the BBC years ago), but it is still a piece of media. Some buyers I've talked to say they hate it - but I do pop in the DVD or CD from time to time, because I find the repetition helpful. At over $200 a language, it isn't a cheap thing, though. I bought it for my kid - as a substitute for Thomas videos.
- My First Spanish-English Visual Dictionary - This is just a kid's book - but it has a ton of vocabulary, and pictures too. I leaf through it from time to time, again, to reinforce vocabulary.
- Mommy Teach Me Spanish - A line of DVDs on the level of the Baby Einstein series by Julie Aigner Clark. The production values are similar - looks like someone produced it fairly inexpensively. However, it is, again, a fairly effective way to get some repetition and variety. The DVD was a gift to my son - and it is interesting in that it uses real kids in it, so kids may identify with it more readily.
- 3DLanguage - Full Disclosure - I'm part of the company that produces 3DL - Together with these other materials, 3DLanguage is really helpful in getting you listening to and speaking Spanish sentences. Unlike phrase books, the interactions are realistic and extremely interactive, so I get a chance to try my hand at words and phrases, and get real feedback. Kind of like a dress rehearsal. Rather than go into an extensive comparision of products out there, I'll just say that, based on using other products for Japanese and other languages, I find 3DLanguage to simply be more engaging - and that is a huge advantage when it comes to sticking to your language learning plan.
More later...
As many of you who have used books, like Pimsleur or Berlitz, or tapes/CDs, will understand my point. It gets boring to drill on chapters of a book repeatedly - not to say that it isn't worthwhile to go through a book or CD/podcast from time to time.
I have a couple books, sites, and products that I'm using to learn (apart from the actual interactions I'm trying to have with people):
- Muzzy - The content is a little outdated (it appears that they are really trying to maximize the value of an investment by the BBC years ago), but it is still a piece of media. Some buyers I've talked to say they hate it - but I do pop in the DVD or CD from time to time, because I find the repetition helpful. At over $200 a language, it isn't a cheap thing, though. I bought it for my kid - as a substitute for Thomas videos.
- My First Spanish-English Visual Dictionary - This is just a kid's book - but it has a ton of vocabulary, and pictures too. I leaf through it from time to time, again, to reinforce vocabulary.
- Mommy Teach Me Spanish - A line of DVDs on the level of the Baby Einstein series by Julie Aigner Clark. The production values are similar - looks like someone produced it fairly inexpensively. However, it is, again, a fairly effective way to get some repetition and variety. The DVD was a gift to my son - and it is interesting in that it uses real kids in it, so kids may identify with it more readily.
- 3DLanguage - Full Disclosure - I'm part of the company that produces 3DL - Together with these other materials, 3DLanguage is really helpful in getting you listening to and speaking Spanish sentences. Unlike phrase books, the interactions are realistic and extremely interactive, so I get a chance to try my hand at words and phrases, and get real feedback. Kind of like a dress rehearsal. Rather than go into an extensive comparision of products out there, I'll just say that, based on using other products for Japanese and other languages, I find 3DLanguage to simply be more engaging - and that is a huge advantage when it comes to sticking to your language learning plan.
More later...
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Investing in The Future - Pushing for 6 Weeks
One of the toughest things I've found about learning language is persisting through the rough spots, where you would rather just give up.
In fact, learning a language and getting in shape seem to be kind of similar. At first, you have all adrenaline of a new adventure pushing you forward - but after few weeks, the work is not nearly as exciting as it was, and the results haven't really shown up yet.
As with exercise, you can get a personal trainer - but for most of us, spending big $$$ on a trainer for a year or two while we get ourselves in shape is not feasible. I've heard it said that if you can last 6 weeks with a new routine, you can make it part of your permanent schedule.
I guess it comes down to self-discipline, and staying focused on what you want to achieve. I just passed the hump of 6 weeks, and it did get hard to stay focused. But I kept telling myself - "If you can make it one year, and you have some fluency, I'm taking you to Spain!"
Maybe a little reward every so often, or a big one when you hit your goal will be motivating?
In fact, learning a language and getting in shape seem to be kind of similar. At first, you have all adrenaline of a new adventure pushing you forward - but after few weeks, the work is not nearly as exciting as it was, and the results haven't really shown up yet.
As with exercise, you can get a personal trainer - but for most of us, spending big $$$ on a trainer for a year or two while we get ourselves in shape is not feasible. I've heard it said that if you can last 6 weeks with a new routine, you can make it part of your permanent schedule.
I guess it comes down to self-discipline, and staying focused on what you want to achieve. I just passed the hump of 6 weeks, and it did get hard to stay focused. But I kept telling myself - "If you can make it one year, and you have some fluency, I'm taking you to Spain!"
Maybe a little reward every so often, or a big one when you hit your goal will be motivating?
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
A Few Observations...Right Off The Bat
First and foremost, I've noticed a few things that it might help to know - and certainly helps for me to keep in mind as I practice.
I know that my personality type is different than others, so some of these may not work for you - but they have for me:
1) Make a learning "appointment" - The reality of my situation is that I have to get up at the crack of dawn to study language. I tried for a time just practicing whenever - but it was very easy to put off, and just didn't happen. Getting up early worked for me in college (a lesson I learned 3rd year...), and it is even more true now, with kids who will not leave me alone when they are awake.
2) Surround yourself with the language - I try to turn on the Spanish speaking sports channel when I'm in the car, or read a kids book in Spanish, or just look at "word of the day" sites. My son also has the "Muzzy" line of Spanish products. While those little things don't really impact my spoken Spanish much individually, collectively, they help support what I'm doing.
3) Focus on speaking - OK, I have to admit a bias, since I'm part of the 3DLanguage team. But honestly, it is a heck of a lot more meaningful to practice spoken language than writing. After all, you learn to speak before you learn to read...I really recommend getting a tool that can help you with spoken language. With full disclosure then, try 3DLanguage if you think speaking will help you - Spanish is available now, with English and Arabic under development.
4) Get a partner in crime - My oldest son, unwillingly, has been drafted into my Spanish practice. I try to say what I know to him - and it's funny, but he's young enough to not question it. He routinely responds to me in Spanish now. I can't tell you how motivating that is.
I know that my personality type is different than others, so some of these may not work for you - but they have for me:
1) Make a learning "appointment" - The reality of my situation is that I have to get up at the crack of dawn to study language. I tried for a time just practicing whenever - but it was very easy to put off, and just didn't happen. Getting up early worked for me in college (a lesson I learned 3rd year...), and it is even more true now, with kids who will not leave me alone when they are awake.
2) Surround yourself with the language - I try to turn on the Spanish speaking sports channel when I'm in the car, or read a kids book in Spanish, or just look at "word of the day" sites. My son also has the "Muzzy" line of Spanish products. While those little things don't really impact my spoken Spanish much individually, collectively, they help support what I'm doing.
3) Focus on speaking - OK, I have to admit a bias, since I'm part of the 3DLanguage team. But honestly, it is a heck of a lot more meaningful to practice spoken language than writing. After all, you learn to speak before you learn to read...I really recommend getting a tool that can help you with spoken language. With full disclosure then, try 3DLanguage if you think speaking will help you - Spanish is available now, with English and Arabic under development.
4) Get a partner in crime - My oldest son, unwillingly, has been drafted into my Spanish practice. I try to say what I know to him - and it's funny, but he's young enough to not question it. He routinely responds to me in Spanish now. I can't tell you how motivating that is.
One Man's Journey To Language?
A few years ago now, I took my first trip to Spain. Like the founder of 3DLanguage, Dave, my experience with the country was enough to make me want to learn the language.I'd studied more than a couple languages, having lived overseas for a while, so I thought to myself "Hey, this is going to be great. After all, Spanish is really similar to English, right?"
I spent the first couple years reminding myself - "You need to learn Spanish. Get on that."
It wasn't until I had kids that it kind of dawned on me - if I wanted them to have fluency in two languages, I was going to have to get on it. So a couple months ago I decided to try to really supercharge my efforts, and get disciplined for a year. To see if I could really make a dent in my goal.
I decided to start this blog to keep a record of my own progress in learning, both as a resource for others and myself. Of course, I'm using the 3DLanguage tool on a daily basis (I'm targeting 10 minutes a day...). To get a free demo of it, click on this link - then the icon with the face.
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