BlogArchive by Category "Learning Techniques" (Page 9)

Learning Languages

24Apr

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 and then from real meaningful context, and above all avoid drills and exercises. Here is a video on the subject.

19Sep

Time to stop avoiding grammar rules!

Learning Languages, Learning Techniques

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...

07Sep

Listening, reading and literacy. Kindle and Audible.com launch new product.

Learning Languages, Learning Techniques

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...

31Jul

Passive vocabulary is more important than active vocabulary.

Learning Languages, Learning Techniques

Just to be a bit of contrarian, I believe that passive vocabulary is more important than active vocabulary. Passive vocabulary is the focus of most of my active language learning. If I have a large vocabulary, the rest will come. For me, it is mor...

28Jul

When to move on to the next lesson.

Learning Languages, Learning Techniques

This is a perennial question at LingQ and elsewhere. Here is my take on it. The first rule of language learning is to do what you like to do. This way you are more likely to continue, and put in enough time. Having said that, I strongly recommend ...

01Feb

Active vocabulary and passive vocabulary.

Learning Languages, Learning Techniques

What do we mean by knowing a word. Here is a video on the subject.

12Oct

Learning words, word frequency, graded readers and more.

Learning Languages, Learning Techniques

To me the major task in language learning is the acquisition of vocabulary. If this is done through massive listening and reading, it will naturally bring with it a constantly improving familiarity with the language, making it easier and easier to...

14May

Words and more words

Learning Techniques

Here is the podcast.For those that do not understand, I could provide a transcript if there is a lot of interest, but not just for one or two people. It is a lot of work.Steve

13May

Do we learn a language by speaking or listening?

Learning Techniques

We need both, in my view. But listening is very powerful and speaking, at least in the early stages, is largely overrated. Here is a podcast on the subject

05May

How much grammar and when – a debate

Learning Techniques

Vince of streetsmart language learning and your humble servant had a "debate" about the merits of grammar learning, when to do it and how much of it we need, and even how to do it. I am sure we both feel that we did not get all our licks in.Skype ...