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Like mom, most people get the idea that the more and faster they study, the most words, grammar and phrases; the better and faster they will learn. Don't get me wrong, sitting down for a couple of hours of online lessons and instructional videos is great if you have the time. Chances are however, that you might only remember a small fraction, and, if you are like most of us, time is precious and scarce. Another key factor that was missing from her learning course, was practice. She wasn't using it.
Why was it seemingly easier for dad to learn English faster? Two main reasons, quality over quantity, and practice.
Dad went to work with a handful of necessary words to accomplish his job functions. He wasn't worried about the words he wasn't going to use to get his job done. All he cared for, were the English words he used on a daily basis. After a few days of using the same vocabulary over and over, he had memorized it without even realizing it. If the job called for something different, all he needed to do was learn the new necessary vocabulary by using it over and over. Before long, his handful of necessary words had grown into a decently sized arsenal. This not only help encourage him to learn more, but also helped him climb up the ranks at work.
It wasn't until us kids were old enough, that mom decided to work full time with her small handful of necessary words. Only then, did she really begin to start learning the English language.
No. Mom waited this long, because it was the only way that worked for her at the time. We can however apply the same principles.
1. Don't overwhelm yourself.
Cramming too much in a short time is a quick path to frustration, which will lead to giving up all together. Take it a day at a time, and choose a handful of words you will commit yourself to use every day.
2. Use it or lose it! Use your small vocabulary!
Is there someone at the grocery, place of worship, work, or school that speak your target language? Start by saying "hello", "thank you", "nice to see you", or "good bye" every time you see them. The more frequently you speak your vocabulary, the better. Quickly you'll find more opportunities to add more words until you build your own arsenal!
3. Have a genuine interest in the language you are learning.
What is driving you to learn a new language? Is it necessity? Are you reaching out in your community? Perhaps you are travelling to a different country? Maybe you are simply in love with a language? In other words, try not to learn a language just for the sake of learning one. Find a language that you are passionate about or have a real need to learn. This will make the learning process easier and more enjoyable.
The internet is loaded with great tools to help us on our language learning journey. With technologies like chat and Skype, finding someone who speaks your target language is easier than ever! Don't miss out on these tools. For those that live in diverse cities, there might be places like parks, museums, even shopping centers where people from different countries meet. I'm sure you'll also find others learning your own language. By helping others, you may discover new ways and methods of learning a language yourself.
Please leave a comment below if you enjoyed this article or have any feedback! Thanks!
- FAQ Author: SergePhotoOctober 2016
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