Learning Techniques
10Apr
Use TPRS to Accelerate Your Language Learning
Storytelling is a powerful engine of language acquisition. Apparently Blaine Ray, the originator of TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling), was also the first person to create these circling stories that are at the core of the three-part mini-stories that we are now developing both for LingQ and the language learning community in general. […]
Read more Use TPRS to Accelerate Your Language Learning03Apr
Learning New Languages Through Mini-Stories: A Multi-Language “Wiki” Project
Learning new languages is easier when we have meaningful content. Content we can listen to and read that is interesting and yet somewhat comprehensible, in other words not too difficult. The three part mini-story is an example of such content; a wonderful form of storytelling for language learners. The TPRS Method Over the past few weeks, […]
Read more Learning New Languages Through Mini-Stories: A Multi-Language “Wiki” Project24Mar
Reading Stories: The Gateway to Authentic Content
A few weeks ago I started learning Greek. Greek will be my seventeenth language, and the eighth one I have started since the age of 60. Greek has relatively few words, far fewer than I expected, that I can recognize from languages that I already know, at least so far. The Greek alphabet is related […]
Read more Reading Stories: The Gateway to Authentic Content05Feb
Who Should Correct Our Language Errors?
When we speak in a foreign language, there is a very high probability that we will make mistakes. We make more mistakes when we first start using the language, and gradually the frequency of these mistakes diminishes. Everyone who learns a foreign language would like to speak as accurately as possible, with the least possible […]
Read more Who Should Correct Our Language Errors?15Jan
Learning a Language Means Acquiring Words
People often say to me, “Steve, you’ve obviously got a talent for languages, that's why you’ve learned so many. Good for you, but I could never do it.”To which I say, to myself at least, why don’t you try doing it the way I do it? Maybe, rather than a question of talent, it’s a matter of the method that I use. What is my method? It’s really quite simple. It’s the relentless pursuit of words [...]
Read more Learning a Language Means Acquiring Words23Oct
Preparing for the TOEIC Test
The TOEIC test, or the Test Of English for International Communication, is the most commonly used test of English proficiency around the world. The test is especially popular in Korea, where people need a good score to get a job, get into or graduate university and so forth. I spoke with LingQ Academy student Hanna, who is from Korea and has experience with TOEIC, about how LingQ can help [...]
Read more Preparing for the TOEIC Test02Oct
Input, Output, and Language Hacking Techniques
In my view, there are three divergent approaches, in terms of their emphasis or principal focus, to language learning. This is true whether we learn in the classroom, online or on the street. One approach focuses on input, another on output, and a third on what I would call shortcuts and some people call language hacking techniques. These language hacking techniques include grammar study, [...]
Read more Input, Output, and Language Hacking Techniques15Feb
Can Reading And Listening Help Your Career?
I believe that reading and listening, the same things that are so powerful for language learning, are extremely important in order for people to be competitive in the new economy.
Read more Can Reading And Listening Help Your Career?08Sep
Why Content is King
One of the most important ingredients for language learning success is interesting, captivating and meaningful content. I am rediscovering this truth as I proceed in my 90-Day Challenge in Polish. The discovery of Real Polish has been a major turning point in my Polish studies. The material that Piotr has created is outstanding, especially the […]
Read more Why Content is King30Jul
Learning Japanese Is Not Difficult
This is a transcript of one of my YouTube Videos – To keep up with my latest thoughts on language learning, subscribe to my YouTube Channel. Hi there, Steve Kaufmann. Today, I want to give you a very brief introduction to Japanese. I was asked to do this in Chinese from one of my Chinese-speaking viewers, […]
Read more Learning Japanese Is Not Difficult