If you’re learning a language, which skill is more important: speaking or comprehension? For me, the answer is obvious. Comprehension is the foundation of language learning. You can effectively communicate despite the…
If you really want to learn English fast, here is what you should do. This advice not only applies to English, but to other languages as well. However, a common difference between…
Picture this: You’re in a bustling café in Istanbul, ordering a cup of Turkish tea. The waiter asks you a question, but instead of panicking or reaching for Google Translate, you actually…
My journey with German didn’t start in a classroom. My parents were born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in a community that later became part of Czechoslovakia. My parents spoke both German and…
Language learners often ask: What’s the best way to increase your vocabulary? The answer is simple—reading. Listening and speaking help reinforce words you already know, but reading is where real vocabulary growth…
Korean, Japanese, and Chinese—what are the similarities and differences between these three languages? How should we approach learning them? To what extent does knowing one help with the others? Based on my…
Many language learners and teachers cling to the idea that rules are the foundation of language learning. Memorize the rules, understand the structure, and fluency will follow—right? Wrong. The truth is, our…
What is meant by comprehensible input in language learning? Stephen Krashen uses this term, as well as the term compelling input, to refer to the kind of language exposure we need in order to learn a language. The term CI, in language learning, can apply to both. What do they mean?
Comprehension questions are a staple of traditional language learning. You read a passage, listen to some audio, and then you answer questions to prove that you’ve understood. Sounds logical, right? Well, I…
When it comes to learning a new language, some learners like dictionaries. They read them. They treasure them. They worry about getting the best possible dictionary. I don’t like using dictionaries. Using them is like one-way love.
