Easy, Practical Ways of Learning a Language
With so many students in Core, Extended and Immersion Language Programs, and with many parents and guardians who do not speak the language their child is learning, the task (including homework and assignments given) can seem especially daunting. The teacher is there during the period, but what about afterwards? The teacher isn’t always available to answer questions or to help the student learn how to pronounce the word, how to write it properly, or to oversee in which directions the accents go.
Well, here are some tips that you may find especially helpful:
1) Recorded Books – this is a great resource where students can pick any book and not only have the visual of the book in front of them, but can listen to the words and how they are pronounced by hearing a recording of the book.
Who is this good for? This is good for students of any and all ages, especially those who are visual and auditory learners.
Where is this available? Any local library should have these readily available; otherwise, I am quite certain you can easily have the library order it.
2) Films, tv and documentaries - Watching tv, videos or youtube videos of films, documentaries and short videos in the new language, preferably ones with subtitles.
Who is this good for? All students who spend any time online or watching movies (so pretty much everyone)
Where is this available? Online, or at your video store (just make sure that when you’re checking the DVD jacket, it says that it has subtitles). You may also have some luck finding these on itunes.
3) Electronic Translators – These are such a great tool to look things up quickly and most of them will either show you the answer in the new language or will say the answer out for you.
Who is this good for? Students who love playing with little gadgets. I have seen many of my ESL students use these and it works amazingly well for them.
Where is this available? Any electronics store.
4) Internship in the country where the language is spoken – Students can easily score summer (or sometimes yearly) internships in a chosen country, sometimes even arranged by the school.
Who is this good for? Anyone who wants to be completely immersed in the language and culture, and would like to gain some work experience at the same time.
Where is this available? There are several school-based and non school-based internship programs available where students can exchange locations with the other student and their family, keeping costs in check.
5) Study groups – Study groups are a great way to learn, to speak and to communicate with others who are of the new language or who are also trying to learn the language. This is such a great way to create a supportive team environment and to really work together to get to know other people interested in the language like you are.
Who is this good for? This is great for social learners, who like to interact with others with similar interests, and who want a supportive team environment.
Where is this available? Best bet would be to ask your school guidance counsellor for help on this one, or even in putting you in touch with existing groups.
With so many students in Core, Extended and Immersion Language Programs, and with many parents and guardians who do not speak the language their child is learning, the task (including homework and assignments given) can seem especially daunting. The teacher is there during the period, but what about afterwards? The teacher isn’t always available to answer questions or to help the student learn how to pronounce the word, how to write it properly, or to oversee in which directions the accents go.
Well, here are some tips that you may find especially helpful:
1) Recorded Books – this is a great resource where students can pick any book and not only have the visual of the book in front of them, but can listen to the words and how they are pronounced by hearing a recording of the book.
Who is this good for? This is good for students of any and all ages, especially those who are visual and auditory learners.
Where is this available? Any local library should have these readily available; otherwise, I am quite certain you can easily have the library order it.
2) Films, tv and documentaries - Watching tv, videos or youtube videos of films, documentaries and short videos in the new language, preferably ones with subtitles.
Who is this good for? All students who spend any time online or watching movies (so pretty much everyone)
Where is this available? Online, or at your video store (just make sure that when you’re checking the DVD jacket, it says that it has subtitles). You may also have some luck finding these on itunes.
3) Electronic Translators – These are such a great tool to look things up quickly and most of them will either show you the answer in the new language or will say the answer out for you.
Who is this good for? Students who love playing with little gadgets. I have seen many of my ESL students use these and it works amazingly well for them.
Where is this available? Any electronics store.
4) Internship in the country where the language is spoken – Students can easily score summer (or sometimes yearly) internships in a chosen country, sometimes even arranged by the school.
Who is this good for? Anyone who wants to be completely immersed in the language and culture, and would like to gain some work experience at the same time.
Where is this available? There are several school-based and non school-based internship programs available where students can exchange locations with the other student and their family, keeping costs in check.
5) Study groups – Study groups are a great way to learn, to speak and to communicate with others who are of the new language or who are also trying to learn the language. This is such a great way to create a supportive team environment and to really work together to get to know other people interested in the language like you are.
Who is this good for? This is great for social learners, who like to interact with others with similar interests, and who want a supportive team environment.
Where is this available? Best bet would be to ask your school guidance counsellor for help on this one, or even in putting you in touch with existing groups.
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