I suppose you have always wondered how to combine summer holiday with doing something productive, such as… mastering a foreign language. It is a well-known fact that a complete break would not have a positive impact on the knowledge and skills gathered throughout last months, especially if you are not yet fluent in a given language… And yet, when being on holiday, one might find it quite difficult to hit the books in order to bone up to one’s language skills… Undoubtedly, it requires a great deal of self-motivation and effort to achieve this goal.
One the one hand we want to rest and cut all ties connecting us to anything we associate with tedious duties, such as school, language course, cramming for exams etc., yet on the other one we might have pangs of conscience for not learning enough…
Trust the power of tradition
As a matter of course, you can revise the material that we have already covered, browsing through your books and notes. I admit that I did just that quite frequently, seeing that I was determined to improve my language skills and I learned a lot for my future exams. Individual studying might prove to be highly beneficial, since we accommodate the rate of learning to our own needs, and we revise the content we have not yet mastered.
However, not everyone is eager enough to do it on their own, thus they might benefit from holiday language courses, which are mostly very intensive ones. It is a perfect choice for those who have already enjoyed their free time and are now ready to get to work. Otherwise it might fail to live up to their expectations... We must not forget the importance of having enough leisure time, which enables us to be recharge our inner batteries and be productive afterwards.
… or learn in a convenient way
Learning a foreign language does not necessarily have to be arduous, even if its seems so, owing to our previous experiences from school or university. Not at all! Always bear in mind that striking a healthy balance between the responsibilities and the need for recreational activities is a key step towards a fruitful education.
It is possible to combine business with pleasure, that is, to relish in summer time, without fearing that we forget the language.
How to achieve this ambitious goal?
Here are some tips you might find useful:
1) Read books (and articles) in original version
No matter whether you choose a traditional paper version of books or a virtual way of reading, the crux of the matter lies in immersing in a language. At first it might feel quite strange and difficult, but as you proceed, you will not even notice, how fast you acquire new words and grammar structures.
It is important to define your level of language skills, so that you could read a text appropriate to your level (not too easy, but not too advanced, either). You can look for suitable books by adding your level label (e.g. A2; intermediate etc.). These days you are given an opportunity to acquire books in original or adjusted to a given level, which was unthinkable some years ago. Many of them are also available in the Internet. Check out the language publishers, bookshops and auction services and you will surely find a book that suits you down to the ground.
PS. If you consider yourself to be not advanced enough to dare read a book in original, try finding one that you already know in your own mother tongue (e.g. fairytale). It will help you focus on the language, as you will have already been acquainted with the plot. And you will find it so much enjoyable, that you could not wait to lie your hands on another book. Take your time and carry on!
2) Watch films in original version
Likewise reading books in original, watching films without subtitles might at first seem intimidating. Still, it is definitely worth your effort, I assure you. Watching films with a voice-over or subtitles in your own language makes you lazy and unwilling to learn, even though they might be helpful if you have just started learning a language (but not in other cases). Watching films with original subtitles or without them will be equally challenging and beneficial, although the latter one might prove to be necessary at the very beginning.
If you do not fancy the idea of watching films or TV series, look for documentary programmes and news reports broadcasted on-line by the well-known news services (e.g. BBC, ZDF).
Bear in mind that it is more about getting across the message and understanding the “real” language than focusing on every single word or structure you do not understand (although you might write them down in a notebook in order to look up for it in a dictionary afterwards). Listening comprehension is crucial not only for the purpose of passing the exams, but also in everyday life. Moreover, you can learn common phrases and even slang, which are rarely taught at school...
3) Write (short) texts a foreign language
Posting comments on webpages, keeping a diary or writing basically anything in a foreign language (such as poems, short stories, dialogues etc.) can be a perfect beginning of your improving your writing skills. Of course, unless you have it proofread by someone well-qualified, you will not be sure that what you write is 100% correct, but still it is worth it. Try to use new, interesting words and structures – they will be imprinted far easier, instead of reading them again and again. Moreover, it will provide you with an extra incentive to learn new words and structures. There is no better way to improve your writing skills than… start writing!
4) Take every opportunity to speak in a foreign language
Easier said than done, unless you are abroad. If you stay in your homeland, you might not be motivated enough to do so. But where is a will, there is a way. Find a conversation partner – your counterpart, teacher, family member, online friends or… yourself.
Even though it might seem strange, speaking a foreign language to yourself is a perfect exercise, especially for those who consider themselves to be too inexperienced and shy to speak in public. Prepare short speeches and presentations, imagine you say to it someone else. You will gain self-confidence and get accustomed to your voice speaking another language. Remember: you will not learn speaking without making mistakes at first. Afterwards you will be able to correct yourself (or others will do it for you). It really works – I know it from experience.
5) Use flash cards
Last but certainly not least, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you… flash cards! They are an excellent choice for revising material in a very engaging way, as they are tiny (thus can be brought anywhere) and do not overwhelm us as conventional wordlists can do... Using them does not even feel like studying. It is up to you whether you buy them (in audio or paper form) or make them on your own. Whatever you choose, you will certainly find it profitable and hugely motivating. You will soak up new words in a trice!
Holiday break is an extraordinary period of time, so let’s use it in a productive way by learning foreign languages, combining it with enjoyable summer time activities. I hope that the above tips will be of use for you (if you happen to know some more, please let us know).
Are you up for it? I am sure you will rise to the challenge - good luck!
Images taken from:
s2.favim.com; c1.staticflickr.com; zmm.mro.org; tryspruce.com
One the one hand we want to rest and cut all ties connecting us to anything we associate with tedious duties, such as school, language course, cramming for exams etc., yet on the other one we might have pangs of conscience for not learning enough…
Trust the power of tradition
As a matter of course, you can revise the material that we have already covered, browsing through your books and notes. I admit that I did just that quite frequently, seeing that I was determined to improve my language skills and I learned a lot for my future exams. Individual studying might prove to be highly beneficial, since we accommodate the rate of learning to our own needs, and we revise the content we have not yet mastered.
However, not everyone is eager enough to do it on their own, thus they might benefit from holiday language courses, which are mostly very intensive ones. It is a perfect choice for those who have already enjoyed their free time and are now ready to get to work. Otherwise it might fail to live up to their expectations... We must not forget the importance of having enough leisure time, which enables us to be recharge our inner batteries and be productive afterwards.
… or learn in a convenient way
Learning a foreign language does not necessarily have to be arduous, even if its seems so, owing to our previous experiences from school or university. Not at all! Always bear in mind that striking a healthy balance between the responsibilities and the need for recreational activities is a key step towards a fruitful education.
It is possible to combine business with pleasure, that is, to relish in summer time, without fearing that we forget the language.
How to achieve this ambitious goal?
Here are some tips you might find useful:
1) Read books (and articles) in original version
No matter whether you choose a traditional paper version of books or a virtual way of reading, the crux of the matter lies in immersing in a language. At first it might feel quite strange and difficult, but as you proceed, you will not even notice, how fast you acquire new words and grammar structures.
It is important to define your level of language skills, so that you could read a text appropriate to your level (not too easy, but not too advanced, either). You can look for suitable books by adding your level label (e.g. A2; intermediate etc.). These days you are given an opportunity to acquire books in original or adjusted to a given level, which was unthinkable some years ago. Many of them are also available in the Internet. Check out the language publishers, bookshops and auction services and you will surely find a book that suits you down to the ground.
PS. If you consider yourself to be not advanced enough to dare read a book in original, try finding one that you already know in your own mother tongue (e.g. fairytale). It will help you focus on the language, as you will have already been acquainted with the plot. And you will find it so much enjoyable, that you could not wait to lie your hands on another book. Take your time and carry on!
2) Watch films in original version
Likewise reading books in original, watching films without subtitles might at first seem intimidating. Still, it is definitely worth your effort, I assure you. Watching films with a voice-over or subtitles in your own language makes you lazy and unwilling to learn, even though they might be helpful if you have just started learning a language (but not in other cases). Watching films with original subtitles or without them will be equally challenging and beneficial, although the latter one might prove to be necessary at the very beginning.
If you do not fancy the idea of watching films or TV series, look for documentary programmes and news reports broadcasted on-line by the well-known news services (e.g. BBC, ZDF).
Bear in mind that it is more about getting across the message and understanding the “real” language than focusing on every single word or structure you do not understand (although you might write them down in a notebook in order to look up for it in a dictionary afterwards). Listening comprehension is crucial not only for the purpose of passing the exams, but also in everyday life. Moreover, you can learn common phrases and even slang, which are rarely taught at school...
3) Write (short) texts a foreign language
Posting comments on webpages, keeping a diary or writing basically anything in a foreign language (such as poems, short stories, dialogues etc.) can be a perfect beginning of your improving your writing skills. Of course, unless you have it proofread by someone well-qualified, you will not be sure that what you write is 100% correct, but still it is worth it. Try to use new, interesting words and structures – they will be imprinted far easier, instead of reading them again and again. Moreover, it will provide you with an extra incentive to learn new words and structures. There is no better way to improve your writing skills than… start writing!
4) Take every opportunity to speak in a foreign language
Easier said than done, unless you are abroad. If you stay in your homeland, you might not be motivated enough to do so. But where is a will, there is a way. Find a conversation partner – your counterpart, teacher, family member, online friends or… yourself.
Even though it might seem strange, speaking a foreign language to yourself is a perfect exercise, especially for those who consider themselves to be too inexperienced and shy to speak in public. Prepare short speeches and presentations, imagine you say to it someone else. You will gain self-confidence and get accustomed to your voice speaking another language. Remember: you will not learn speaking without making mistakes at first. Afterwards you will be able to correct yourself (or others will do it for you). It really works – I know it from experience.
5) Use flash cards
Last but certainly not least, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you… flash cards! They are an excellent choice for revising material in a very engaging way, as they are tiny (thus can be brought anywhere) and do not overwhelm us as conventional wordlists can do... Using them does not even feel like studying. It is up to you whether you buy them (in audio or paper form) or make them on your own. Whatever you choose, you will certainly find it profitable and hugely motivating. You will soak up new words in a trice!
Holiday break is an extraordinary period of time, so let’s use it in a productive way by learning foreign languages, combining it with enjoyable summer time activities. I hope that the above tips will be of use for you (if you happen to know some more, please let us know).
Are you up for it? I am sure you will rise to the challenge - good luck!
Images taken from:
s2.favim.com; c1.staticflickr.com; zmm.mro.org; tryspruce.com
Brak komentarzy:
Prześlij komentarz