BlogArchive by Category "Recommended"
Recommended
20Aug
What Makes Languages Easier to Learn
I’m often asked, how long does it take to learn a language, which language is the easiest to learn, are some languages easier than others and so forth, so here’s my take on what makes languages easier. The first thing is how much similar vocabulary is there. If you are an English speaker learning French […]
Read more What Makes Languages Easier to Learn21May
How Many Words Do We Need to Know?
Learning Words – How Many Do We Need To Know? was uploaded onto Steve’s YouTube channel on October 25, 2014 Hi there, Steve Kaufmann here again. Today I want to talk about words. It’s a subject that comes up all the time, how many words do we need to know? I guess I have two […]
Read more How Many Words Do We Need to Know?09May
Patterns and Language Learning
Patterns and Language Learning has been transcribed from Steve’s YouTube channel. The original video was published on May 29th, 2013 Listen to the audio and don’t forget to check out Steve’s podcast on iTunes or Soundcloud https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.lingq.com/resources/contents/audionorm/resources/contents/audio/2014/02/22/Patterns_and_La.a7e8c95ca259.mp3 [...]
Read more Patterns and Language Learning04Apr
Learn the Basics in the Language First? Really?
Can we even learn the basics first? I find that I cannot do it. I just forge ahead and learn words and get used to the language? I think we need to cover a lot of ground, some new, some old. We need to explore new things, pushing the boundaries, w...
Read more Learn the Basics in the Language First? Really?28Feb
You Don’t Need to Study Abroad to Learn a Language
You Don’t Need to Study Abroad to Learn a Language has been transcribed from Steve’s YouTube Channel. This video originally aired on November 27th, 2013 Hi there, Steve Kaufmann. Here I am in our little yard. We’re in Palm Springs, my wife and I, so I want to talk about travel and language […]
Read more You Don’t Need to Study Abroad to Learn a Language15Dec
Do you want to Improve your English fluency?
Want to be understood in English? New research shows you should focus on fluency over pronunciation. Speaking fluently means your listener is more able to keep track of what you’re saying, then they have more time to figure out the sounds you are trying to produce.
Read more Do you want to Improve your English fluency?16Jul
Language Learning Efficiency and Duolingo
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. Efficiency in language learning is extremely important. I learned that when studying Chinese 45 or 48 years ago. Because there’s so much time involved, even a […]
Read more Language Learning Efficiency and Duolingo29Apr
Interleaved learning, or learning without pressure
Interleaved learning is an approach to learning that departs from the traditional block or focused approach to learning. Interleaved learning and the research behind it, is based on the idea that if we should not focus on learning or mastering one skill or set of information, such as a limited group of words in a […]
Read more Interleaved learning, or learning without pressure20Nov
Task Based Language Teaching and the Manitoba Ritz cracker
A mother in Manitoba sent her children to pre-school with a warm lunch of carrots, potatoes, and meatballs. As reported in this newspaper article, the pre-school fined the mother $10 for not having included any grain in the lunch. The pre-school supplemented this lack of grain with Ritz crackers. The teachers at the pre-school were […]
Read more Task Based Language Teaching and the Manitoba Ritz cracker25Jun
Vocabulary predicts success: word power equals life power
The size of your vocabulary will usually determine the size of your bank account. Robert Kiyosaki, author of the popular book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, wrote, “If you want to be rich, you have to have a rich man’s vocabulary. Words can make you rich, or can make you poor.” Or as Ed Hirsch, Jr. wrote […]
Read more Vocabulary predicts success: word power equals life power