Traditional Language Instruction: Why it Doesn’t Work
Do grammar instruction, corrections and role playing help us learn languages? I guess it does but only to a very limited degree. Here is an interesting excerpt from a discussion on a…
Motivation to learn languages
Our motivation is what determines success or failure in language learning. So what motivates us to learn different languages? For myself over the last few years, I can see a variety of…
Grammar rules, how best to learn them
I like the grazing approach, nibble on a bit of grammar rules, then read and listen, and then go back to a bit of grammar. Work with examples, in the grammar book…
A wonderful contextual dictionary Linguee.fr
I am often asked to comment on, or to mention, or to promote, different language related websites. I usually prefer not to do so. However, this dictionary, with a new approach to using context, or what the linguists call “corpora”, is really quite…
Word power divides rich and poor.
The number of words we know is the best indicator of language and literacy skills, in my view. This belief is at the core of the LingQ system. It turns out I am not the only person who thinks so. Check out The Word Brain. The number of words we kn…
LingQ Hangout # 2 planned for Thursday this week.
Join us to talk about language learning and LingQ. Thursday November 22 Pacific Standard Time, which is 24.00 UTC (GMT). Let me know if you are interested and what language.
Language learning makes the brain grow.
This Swedish study confirms again that language learning is good for the brain, sort of. But then language learning is its own reward, and these possible extra health benefits are just the icing on the cake.
Time to stop avoiding grammar rules!
The evidence is now in: the explicit teaching of grammar rules leads to better learning. At least that is what this article from The Guardian in England claims. Unfortunately the article does not offer any proof that the evidence is in, but rather…
Listening, reading and literacy. Kindle and Audible.com launch new product.
Kindle and Audible.com have lanched a new product that combines listening and reading and they call it immersion reading. Yes listening enhances reading, especially for struggling readers, or for language learners. That has been at the core of the…
The appetite grows with eating.
“l”appetit vient en mangeant.” The more we eat, the more we enjoy eating according to this saying. I certainly have that feeling now with Czech. The more I can understand, the more I can say in the language, the more fun I am having. The keener I …
