Tips for language learners
This document provides tips for language learners to maximize their learning experience. It recommends studying regularly for short periods of time, using entertaining resources like DVDs and magazines to practice, and keeping a language diary. Learners should take responsibility by telling their tutor about any problems and using other resources to overcome difficulties. Each person learns differently in terms of style and pace, so learners should not get frustrated and should use their strengths. Practicing in short bursts throughout the day can help with acquiring the new language. Doing homework and looking up errors allows revising and clarifying mistakes. Learners should meet with classmates to work on assignments and practice speaking. The overall goal should be improving speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
Tips for language learners
- 1. TIPS FOR LANGUAGE LEARNERS HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (AND HAVE FUN ALONG THE WAY)
- 3. It is better if you study regularly and for short periods of time. There are a lot of resources you can use to make language practice more entertaining: watching DVDs, listening to the radio, using the internet, reading English magazines, etc. Keeping a language diary with the new language items you learn will help you to settle the new information and make it automatic.
- 4. Take responsibility for your learning. Tell your tutor any problems that may be interfering with your learning or any specific difficulties that you are having with the material, and use other sources of knowledge to overcome your difficulties. You might be surprised how easily such difficulties can be resolved. Believe it or not, that will make of you a more independent learner.
- 5. Each person has his/her own learning style and everyone learns at a different pace. Try not to get frustrated if someone else in class seems to be progressing more quickly than you. You might find that you are very good at grammar but have difficulty with speaking. Or you may find that you remember things visually better than by the ear. Use your style to maximise you learning power.
- 6. There are many moments during the day when you can do a little practice. Maybe, while you are waiting for a bus or driving to work, you can revise aloud the new words or expressions or practice short monologues. Repeating will help you acquire the new language.
- 7. Doing homework will give you the opportunity to revise what you have learnt in class and put it in practice. It is also advisable to use your time to look up in the dictionary or in the grammar book to clarify your errors. Otherwise, you will go on making the same mistakes once and again.
- 8. Think about why you want to learn the language and the level you want to reach. While you are practising the language you will make a lot of errors, and you will learn from them.
- 9. You should meet regularly with classmates to work together on homework assignments, to learn vocabulary, to study for tests, or just to practice speaking the language. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses when it comes to language learning. Learning with others helps decrease knowledge gaps and gives you opportunities to actively discuss concepts and material covered in class. You will benefit from the knowledge and abilities of your classmates, as they will from yours.
- 10. Grammar, vocabulary and language functions are tools to develop your language skills. Concentrate on learning to speak, to listen, to read and to write. Use the language elements you learn like vocabulary or grammar- to improve those skills.