Language Learning | Blog | The Linguist on Language

05Jun

5 Jun 2018

Learning a Language Means Making Mistakes

Making mistakes in language learning is not only necessary, it is a good sign. If you are not making mistakes you are not trying hard enough to use the language.

29May

29 May 2018

The Importance of Grammar Rules

Learning Techniques

Grammar rules, their importance and how we should deal with them, are a constant debate in in language learning. Some people say grammar is a waste of time, that we can just ignore it. Other people say that you have to first learn the basics, as if that is possible to do. I […]

22May

22 May 2018

Learning Multiple Languages at Once: Is It a Good Idea?

Learning Techniques

I don’t think it takes any special talent to learn multiple languages. Some people may do better than others, but everyone can do it. Some may pronounce better, some may have a larger vocabulary, different people have different interests, but everyone is capable of doing it. It’s an extremely rewarding thing to do.

15May

15 May 2018

Online Language Learning & Measuring Progress

Motivation

Traditionally, language learners have been divided into three groups: those who learn informally on their own, those who attend school, and those who do both. In a classroom environment, the teacher can assign tasks to the learner and provide some overview and even coercion to ensure that the learner carries out these tasks, regardless […]

08May

8 May 2018

How Long to Get to a Conversational Level in a Language?

Motivation

Conversation implies a two-way exchange of language. Therefore, reaching a conversational level implies quite a high level of comprehension of the language so that we can understand what is being said to us. That means in order to converse properly we need to prepare ourselves.

01May

1 May 2018

English Grammar 101

Learning English

In order to speak English well you need to learn how words are used and how they come together to form phrases and sentences. Only a lot of listening and reading can help you learn this. You need to train yourself to notice how the words are used when you listen and read.

23Apr

23 Apr 2018

Learning a Language is Like Falling in Love

Motivation

I have been asked to redo the recording for this podcast that I did over two years ago. Here it is again. This evening I have to give a short talk in Japanese to about 30 members of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce. I am a Director of this Cha...

17Apr

17 Apr 2018

Why We Need Language Teachers

Learning Techniques, Traditional Instruction

Many people, at some time or another, say they want to learn another language. Few manage to get beyond a beginner level. Most of these unsuccessful learners have language teachers explaining the language to them, drilling them and correcting them. Successful language learners don’t need anyone to explain the language to them, correct them, […]

10Apr

10 Apr 2018

Effective Independent Lifelong Learning

Learning Techniques, Online Learning

Independent learning is the most important issue in education today, and in many ways the most elusive or difficult issue to deal with. More than class size, teacher accreditation, or the latest innovations in teaching methodology, developing independent learning habits, in other words, self-learning, in students, and teachers, should be the main preoccupation of educators, […]

03Apr

3 Apr 2018

Language Acquisition: Do Children Learn Faster Than Adults?

Education, Traditional Instruction

I think that children learn faster than adults. There is ample evidence of this, for example amongst immigrants to Canada. Rare is the immigrant family where the children don’t speak English, or French, much better than their parents. Can Adults Learn More Like Children? I also think, however, that adults can learn how […]