Guest Post #004: Language Learning Methods

Laurianne, today’s guest blogger, is editor and blogger at Language Software, a site that reviews language learning software.

Language Learning Methods

Learning a language is a challenging but extremely rewarding experience. Like all study, the amount of effort you put in directly equates to your level of success. Every one who undertakes learning a new language is looking for the fastest learning technique, the fastest way to become proficient and the fastest route to be able to speak with natives.

Some say there isn’t a fast track, but of course that isn’t true, some methods of learning a language are far more effective than others. In light of this the first thing you should do is to set aside a learning budget. Decide on an amount of money you are prepared to invest in your study. This budget will determine the learning methods available to you, and also help you choose and buy the learning materials required for that particular method.

Language Learning Software

Language software has come a long way in the last few years, and it is now possible to become fluent in a language from the comfort of your own home. Language learning software is extremely effective for those who are unable to find time to attend classes. This is also an affordable way to learn for those on a low budget. Language learning software has the added benefit of being multi-platform, meaning you can use it at home or on the go; on your iPod, iPad, PC, Mac, MP3 player, etc. With most language programs you get a range of interactive media that helps the learning process remain engaging and varied.

Language Learning Classes

Classes are great because you get to interact with others keen on learning the same language as you. You will also receive the benefits of conversational practice with the teacher – usually a native of the given country. Some people simply can’t study alone or can’t find the discipline to set aside time for home study. In this respect classes are useful because you are pinned down to times and dates, and just like the gym, if you don’t go, you will end up feel guilty and cross with yourself. The one problem with classes is the cost. If you want to attend twice a week you could be looking at $20-30 a time; add that up over a year and the cost is huge. With a language learning software program the cost is usually a one off fee, and for that money you get the entire course, from basic to fluent speaking.

Grammar Books and Audio Tapes

Grammar books are the old fashioned way to learn, and let’s be honest, it is likely that your pronunciation will be way off the mark and natives will be misunderstanding you left, right and center. Coupled with audiotapes, however, grammar books can be quite effective. That said, if you are opting for audiotapes then you really should look into language software where multiple format audio is included coupled with on screen interactive learning, and often course books or PDFs you can printout. Grammar books can also be expensive, heavy to carry around, and take up valuable space in your home.

Whatever method you choose, make sure it is practical, efficient, affordable and sustainable. Don’t take on a method of learning you know you won’t see through. Choose the learning method best suited to your lifestyle and budget, and most importantly best suited to your style of learning.

When Translators (and Language Students) Meet the Rest of the World

• MYTH: Translation/language students and translators/interpreters are living dictionaries.
• REALITY: Yes, we speak more than one language. No, we don’t know all the words in a given language. It’s impossible to know EVERY. SINGLE. WORD, even in your mother tongue. Vocabulary is important, but we are no living dictionaries and us humans can’t know everything.

I find situations like these annoying:

PERSON I’M TALKING TO: “How do you say *insert word here* in *insert language here*?”

I usually ask them to tell me the context (and think “Ah, if only they realized that a word has different meanings in different contexts…”), a sentence in which they would use that word. Staying on topic, here’s a joke:

• How many translators does it take to change a light bulb?
• It depends on the context.

So, for translation/interpreting professionals, student translators and language students, context is extremely important. We can’t read your mind, and guessing possible meanings might lead to making mistakes.

Next conversation:

• PERSON I’M TALKING TO: “Wow, you study languages! How many do you speak?”
• ME: “Four: Italian, English, French and some German.”
• PERSON I’M TALKING TO: “You only know those?” or “Why don’t/didn’t you study Arabic/Chinese/etc?”

You usually study two to three languages at university. It takes a lot of time to learn a language well, let alone two or three. In my opinion, it’s better to know two or three languages at an advanced level than five or six at an elementary level. In this case, quality matters more than quantity but, if you manage to speak five to six languages at an advanced level… well, congratulations! I chose to study English and French because I like(d) them and I’ve studied them since I started middle school. I can speak them fluently and I’m looking forward to improving more and more. I chose English in particular because it is “my passion, my obsession, my life” (as I wrote on some social networking site). Why should I study languages I’m not interested in learning? It also takes many years and stays abroad to learn languages like Arabic and Chinese well.

If you’re on Twitter, maybe in the last few days you read some tweets on “Tips to date a translator” (or an interpreter). I had tons of fun reading them, and I couldn’t have enough of them, haha. Two words: compulsive reading. You can find all the tweets here.

My favourite ones:

• Do not take us too literally and always be faithful. @judittur
• And for God’s sake, spell check your written correspondence. Nothing turns translators off more. @jackiedeal
• Suggesting Google Translate will replace human translators will lead to you making love *without* human translators. @miguelllorens
• Resign yourself to this: The woman loudly criticizing the subtitles in the midst of an action movie is your girlfriend. @miguelllorens
• Don’t brag about your knowledge of a foreign language UNLESS you are really fluent! @avinc1
• Distract the waiter while your translator friend takes photos of the ill translated menu. @petra_s_ger 
• We love puns. We LOVE them. If you play on words smartly, you’ll get 100 extra points.  @toolupwithwords
• Don’t be surprised if you buy them chocolates and the 1st thing they do is read the ingredients in all the languages! @Silvia_MediaLoc 
• Be ready to put up with pointless arguments about grammar and etymology when fellow translators are around. @carlosckw
• If you ask the translation of a word and she doesn’t know it don’t reply “what kind of translator r u?” @Laura_Solana
• Pour son anniversaire, un bon dictionnaire fera toujours l’affaire. @juliettelemerle

Some blog posts on the same topic:

• Che bello che sai le lingue – Storia della mia vita (in Italian)
• Le cinque cose da sapere prima di uscire con un traduttore/interprete (in Italian)
• 5 cosas que uno debe saber antes de salir con un traductor/intérprete (in Spanish)
• The Freelance Translator at Home: Instructions for Use

“The Glamour of Grammar” by Roy Peter Clark

You know, I’m a translator, a Foreign Languages student and, on top of all, an English language lover. I’m interested in anything related to English language and culture, and I’d like to learn as much as possible about them. I’m constantly finding ways to keep me updated and to put what I’ve learned into practice. On a typical day, you can find me listening to songs in English, surfing websites in English, or even (over)using English words in conversations. I’ve liked the English language since I was a little girl: I spoke my very first English words when I was 4 (no, I wasn’t raised in a bilingual environment… my Dad taught me a few words and sentences he knew), even if I knew very little then. I started studying English when I started middle school, and haven’t stopped ever since.

Back to the book, I read about “The Glamour of Grammar” by Roy Peter Clark for the first time on Jenn’s blog, In My Bag, where she posted a very interesting review. She’s a freelance writer and blogger, and owns several blogs.

Here’s a description of the book:

Early in the history of English, the words “grammar” and “glamour” meant the same thing: the power to charm. Roy Peter Clark, author of Writing Tools, aims to put the glamour back in grammar with this fun, engaging alternative to stuffy instructionals. In this practical guide, readers will learn everything from the different parts of speech to why effective writers prefer concrete nouns and active verbs. THE GLAMOUR OF GRAMMAR gives readers all the tools they need to”live inside the language”–to take advantage of grammar to perfect their use of English, to instill meaning, and to charm through their writing.

Some information about the author:

Roy Peter Clark is vice president and senior scholar at The Poynter Institute, one of the most prestigious schools for journalists in the world. He has taught writing at every level–to schoolchildren and Pulitzer Prize-winning authors–for more than thirty years, and has spoken about the writer’s craft on The Oprah Winfrey Show, NPR, and The Today Show; at conferences from Singapore to Brazil; and at news organizations from the New York Times to The Sowetan in South Africa. A writer who teaches and a teacher who writes, he has authored or edited fifteen books about writing and journalism, including his most recent, Writing Tools.

You can either get a copy of the book online, or take part in Jenn’s giveaway by following the guidelines on her blog.