How to be a good language learner

How to be a good
language learner
Think about your native language – it’s
probably English.
 You were a fluent speaker before you even started
school.
 You probably never had to learn it from scratch in class.
 You think it ‘comes naturally’, unlike Maths or Science,
which you have to LEARN and STUDY.
So how do you LEARN another language?
Just as you learn other subjects:
Music
Sport
Language
Vocabulary and
culture
you have to learn
rules
grammar
you have to learn
skills and
techniques
listening,
speaking, reading,
writing
Science
you have to learn a
body of information
You have to memorise
You have to practise regularly to get better
You have to be independent!
 Imagine you are learning basketball.
 If you’ve had a few lessons at school, and then have practice
once a week, you’ll be OK, but you’ll never make a real team.
 When learning a language, you can sit through lessons, and do
the minimum homework you are told to do.
 You’ll probably pass most tests, but you won’t be able to USE the
language in a real-life situation.
You have to be independent!
 If the only time you use the language is during class time, and only
when you’re forced to, you’ll never learn it well.
 You have to be responsible for your own learning.
 You have to make the most of the opportunities around you, both in
and out of class.
When you’re in class…
 Don’t be afraid of looking stupid or making mistakes: give it a go!
Don’t be afraid to talk. It is impossible to learn without making
mistakes, and the best learning comes from making a mistake
and analysing where you went wrong. Ask your teacher about
embarrassing times he/she has had when learning a foreign
language!
 Ask lots of questions! Ask your teacher to explain, to check that
you’re on the right track, to correct your work.
When you’re in class…
 Speak to your teacher and classmates in the language. Find
ways of using the words you learn immediately.
 Treat new words as a challenge, with you as detective. Can you
make intelligent guesses about what they might mean? Always
keep your trusty dictionary nearby.
When you’re in class…
 Your textbook gives brief explanations of rules, but they won’t be
enough. Write out your own notes and summaries, and make
them as detailed as possible. There are lots of useful grammar
help pages on the Web.
 Language learning means team and pair work. Be a good partner
to work with by keeping a positive attitude and taking the
initiative.
When you’re in class…
 When your teacher corrects you, say or write the correct words
immediately.
 Don’t think you can translate English word for word and in the
same order into the other language.
 Always look over your work before handing it in. Check your
writing carefully for mistakes in spelling, grammar and
vocabulary. Have your textbook and dictionary nearby to help
you do this. Practise using your dictionary effectively.
Homework and revision
 Say new words and phrases aloud, and often, to remember
them. Write out new vocabulary, and keep a special vocabulary
folder, divided into topics.
 Even if you don’t get formal homework every day, you need to set
aside ten minutes every day to say and write words and
sentences in the language. It’s all about self-discipline: no-one is
going to check up on you, but it’s still worth it.
Homework and revision
 Teach family members the words that you learn…whether they
like it or not.
 If you like keeping a journal: write some parts in the language.
 The Internet has lots of free websites with language games and
help pages, and even learners’ forums.
 Buy or borrow CD-ROMs with exercises for practice.
Homework and revision
 There is great software out there which allows you to
make and then play your own language games.
 Most textbooks have checklists at end of each chapter:
test yourself on what you have learned.
 Make posters and charts to pin up in your room. The
vocabulary you see every day will stick in your mind.
Homework and revision
 Study with a partner.
 Use the language with your friends. And if they don’t
appreciate that, find friends who do: find yourself a pen
pal to exchange emails, or like-minded people in forums.
Homework and revision
 Ask your teacher to make recordings of him/herself. Download
them to your MP3 player, so you can practice listening and
repeating.
 Ask your teacher for a copy of any CDs and tapes she uses in
class, for listening at home and pronunciation practice. Practise
listening for specific information or practise note-taking.
 Watch TV programs in the language if you have access. You can
access live radio on the Internet.
Homework and revision
 Hire DVDs in the language if you can, and ignore the subtitles!
Watching films and TV programs helps you practise
comprehension and lets you note good pronunciation and
appropriate body language.
 Can you find native speakers in your local community? Be brave
and exchange greetings with them…they may be willing to look
over your homework one day!

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