LANGUAGE LEARNING MYTH #8: YOU ALWAYS NEED NEW RESOURCES
Hello, readers! Do you remember my first post about language learning myths? Well, I decided it's time for another one. Language is such a fascinating subject and I love writing about it. In addition, I will also show you what I wore yesterday for a stroll in Mostar city. The weather was sunny but windy and I dressed accordingly. This post is actually a continuation of the one published in 2022. In that post, I wrote about the seven most common language learning myths. Today I'll write about the eight one!
“Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while we long to make music that will melt the stars.” Madame Bovary
READING BLOGS AS A LANGUAGE LEARNING TOOL
When it comes to language learning, there are so many myths surrounding it.
Regardless whether we're talking about acquiring a foreign language or improving our own mother tongue, language learning is an activity few understand well.
Many myths surrounding language learning often discourage potential language learners.
Among the most common language learning myths are those that claim that it requires great talent, effort, financial resources and so on.
As if language learning isn't something we've been doing since the day we were born.
We all started as babies who couldn't speak and acquired our language skills gradually.
Every time you learn a new word, phrase or manage to express yourself better in the written or spoken form- you’re (consciously or unconsciously) improving on your language skills.
Language learning is something we never stop doing.
Most of our every day activities include language usage.
This means we have endless opportunities to work on our language skills.
DOES LANGUAGE LEARNING TAKE TIME? HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT USUALLY TAKE?
While it is true that language learning takes time, it doesn’t have to be an extreme time investment.
Research suggests that it takes around 500 hours to reach basic fluency in language from the same language family.
Now, try to add all the time you spend on your smartphone or watching Netflix and you’ll see it is not that big of an investment.
When it comes to your own language, becoming better at it is possibly even more important than learning a foreign language. No matter what you do for a living, you need communicative skills.
In fact, having highly developed language skills can only help you, both in your personal and private life!
DEBUNKING THE MOST COMMON LANGUAGE LEARNING MYTHS
LANGUAGE LANGUAGE MYTH #5: LANGUAGE LEARNING IS EXPENSIVE
LANGUAGE LEARNING MYTH #6: YOU HAVE TO START YOUNG BECAUSE CHILDREN MAKE BETTER LEARNERS
LANGUAGE LEARNING MYTH #8: YOU ALWAYS NEED NEW RESOURCES AND LANGUAGE MATERIALS
Many people think they need to consume as much language learning material as possible. The more, the better. They treat language learning materials as food. Once the language learning material is consumed, it's gone forever.
If they've listened to an audiobook book or watched a movie in a target language, they will never go back to watch that movie or listen to that audiobook again. Once they finish doing the grammar exercises, they will never revisit them again. Once they finish a language coursebook, they will forget about it. They will never go back to read a chapter again and revisit what they have learnt. Once they finish a language learning course, they will never go back to it. Instead, they will always look for something new. I get it, for novelty has its attractions.
The thing is that when it comes to language learning, repetition is important. By reading a book again, you're actually solidifying your vocabulary. Rereading is an extremely effective type of reading. I believe this is especially the case when it comes to reading in a foreign/target language.
Rereading builds your knowledge of a language in more ways than one. By rereading, you can focus better on the message and rethink it. You can explore different interpretations. You can build not just your vocabulary but your understanding of grammar and syntax. The same goes for relistening audiobooks, articles or podcasts.
When it comes to listening (that is audio materials), there's an added benefit of multitasking. You can turn on your favourite audiobook while you're working on something else. Seeing that you're already familiar with it, even if you attention is not fully on the listening material, you'll be able to follow it without problems. The same goes for rewatching your favourite documentaries, films or language tutorials. They can help you solidify your language skills.
Thinking you always need something new can keep you back in a number of ways. First of all, you never know whether the 'new' thing will be a good fit for you or not.
You might end up picking a bunch of books, movies or language resources you don't like.
You might end up feeling discouraged because you cannot get into these new books written in the target language. You might end up not enjoying the new language materials.
I honestly think it's often more about finding the language learning materials and resources you actually enjoy, then about looking for that new thing all the time.
When you find language materials and resources you actually like, then not only is it ok to reuse them, but it's recommended. You should always go back to the content and materials you enjoyed in the past!
Sometimes you do need something new. Sometimes you will need to explore and find new language learning materials. What I'm saying is just that you don't need new ones. Not all the time. Sometimes instead of looking for something new to consume, you can enjoy your own language learning favourites.
Reread your favourite book. Reread that article you've enjoyed so much! Revisit your favourite blogs. Rewatch your favourite films, movies or series. Listen to your favourite podcasts again.
Listen to that inspiring lecture again and again! As long as the language learning materials/resources you're using are a good fit for you, there's nothing wrong in using them again.
THE JAPANESE CHERRY TREES IN MOSTAR / PARK ZRINJEVAC FASHION ILLUSTRATION
TWO MORE POSTS ABOUT MOSTAR: HERE & HERE SPANISH SQUARE MOSTAR HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM MOSTAR ! FAREWELL TO SUMMER FROM MOSTAR CITY 2018 STREET ART MOSTAR , 2016 STREET ART , 2021 STREETART and also here , here and here. STROLLING MOSTAR CITY 2021
OLDER posts about Mostar 1. You can see Mostar from the bird perspective in my previous posts (here, here and here). 2. One of my favourite streets in Mostar here and here. 3. Musala bridge (also known under its old name Tito's bridge here and here) 4. You can see photographs of Mostar's Catholic cathedral here.5. You can see images of Mostar and its famous Nertva river here, here and here. 6. You can see the surrounds of one of its most iconic catholic churches here.7. You can see both photographs of old bridge and my drawing of it here. 8. Another one of my favourites when it comes to streets here. 9. You can see photographs of Croatian cultural centre/theater here , here , here , here and here. 10. You can see photographs of the main city park here here, here, here and here.
21 WAYS TO WEAR A BLACK LEATHER JACKET PLUS 5 more outfit posts featuring this leather jacket: 1) A VINTAGE LEATHER JACKET 2) LEATHER AND STRIPED OUTFITS 3) SIX WINTER OUTFIT PROPOSALS 4) ALL BLACK WINTER OUTFIT: FAUX FUR & LEATHER 5) HOW TO STYLE A LEATHER JACKET WITH AN OVERSIZE SCARF FOR WINTER?
HOW TO STYLE AN OVERSIZED BEIGE SCARF? See these two posts as well: 1) WIW IN MOSTAR 2) A MINI FASHION RECAP
| PREVIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED- A LEATHER PAIR OF |
So good to read your post about these tips learning a language. Perhaps immersing yourself from all angles is key. And it must take such practice. And some just want to communicate where ever they are. My mom loved languages, but she didn't get very far being a Spanish major in college. Yet, because she loved to communicate she later helped migrant children learn English. So it's always great when helping each other since most didn't know many of the words they spoke on paper, either. I feel certain practice can get lonely but it is essential. Of course, those apps are handy, but not always. Recently, a patron fed her words into the app and it came back in English on her phone asking "Where is a sticky stick?" She was looking for the tape.
ReplyDeleteOH, such a cozy scarf with this black leather jacket! I like this neutral and black together🩷
DeleteThank you. How lovely of your mother to help the kids learning English! Apps can be useful but they are not completely reliable.
DeleteI've never had the devotion for learning another language. I've seen people write notes in a different language. I have a co-worker who is learning all sorts of languages. Well, there was another and she would become quite bord with what she was learning and want to find another. Although, she did translate in our Hispanic community. Only, her words were so dull. Not a lack of enthusiasm, I just kept thinking she should enjoy it more. I also met a couple recently, he married a Korean girl and they were learning the languages from each other daily. She was only reading English chapter books while he spoke English for her at times, but they always conversed in Korean. Thanks so much for your advice. I'm also loving your winer outfit too!
ReplyDeleteYes, getting bored with language teaching is a common occurrence. Sometimes it's hard to keep the motivation up. The Korean girl and English speaking boy sound like a nice couple. It's so sweet they are learning one from another.
DeleteI would really like to be a polyglot, but unfortunately I'm not :( However, with the help of an arm and a leg, sometimes, when necessary, I manage to communicate with foreigners :) Learning other languages is a wealth, but it can be quite difficult, but also very fun.. .that's why you should try and learn and not give up! As for the pictures, as always - beautiful!!! Your skirt is unbeatable, and your leather jacket is superb! A jacket that every real motorcyclist would want 👍👍👍👍👍👍
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment!
DeleteThanks for your language learning tips, Ivana! I might learn another language once I'm retired, as currently simply haven't got the time. I do feel that, as I age, learning doesn't come as naturally to me as it did before. On top of that, my working life often absorbs most of my energy.
ReplyDeleteYour outfit, by the way, is absolutely perfect. The skirt is divine, and I'm loving the boots and the bag. xxx
I think it's more time than anything. It's hard to actively study a language when you schedule is already full. Language learning can be fun but it it requires time. I plan to devote more time to studying foreign language once I retire, too. It's hard to do it while you're working.
DeleteEs cierto que uno aprende algo de idiomas con los blogs. Lindo atuendo. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's true. I feel like I have improved my understanding of Spanish with the help of blogs. Maybe some day I'll start to speak it.
DeleteGreat tips! I'm absolutely hopeless at learning languages.
ReplyDeleteI studied Latin, French and Russian at school. At catering college we could only speak in French in the kitchen and at the time I was sharing a house with a French girl and we'd always play the French version of Trivial Pursuit. I was pretty fluent at the time and now I can barely remember a word. I was useless at Russian and apart from hello, goodbye and OK all I can say is "It is warm in my bed" which isn't very useful!
Latin helps with crosswords and understanding unfamiliar words I come across.
My dad was fluent in at least 7 languages, many people thought he might have been a spy.
You look divine in your Winter gear! xxx
A spy! It sucks that's the first thing people assume when they hear you're multilingual. I sometimes think people think that about me as well!
DeleteHelpful and interesting Tips. Thank you for that. Since 10 Years i want to learn the spanish language, i have my problems with it. Have a beautiful Week Ivana
ReplyDeleteI love seeing your pictures - looks like those trees are about to burst into bloom! Your toque is really cute too!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I only speak English fluently, I am passable in French (I understand spoken and can read it). I did a degree in Linguistics, so I studied all kinds of languages, and different aspects of it, from writing systems, to grammar, to phonetics, to semantics. It's so fascinating!
Yes, this is a Japanese cherry tree and in our climate they bloom earlier than they would in Japan because it's warmer here. Language is such a fascinating field to study!
DeleteBeautiful photos and also you Ivana. Those trees are about to bloom, how cool, can't wait for Spring! Thanks for sharing your tips on laguages learning, I am a native Spanish speaker but I also read, write and speak English fuently. I've been trying for a few years learn Turkish and also Korean, but like you said sometimes apps are not reliable and in Korean for example, the languages is romanized and I don't like it, so instead I listen to music, I have songs in French, Korean, Turkish, Japanese and more. And I always get back to those if I want to re-learn something I already know, practice vocabulary and pronunciation and so forth and never look for their translation, I try to read the lyrics and get familiarised with it first. At the same time, I watch series in these languages, no dubbed to Spanish. I dislike that and it's a way for me to keep on practicing and learning more vocab, in fact, that's how I actually learned English by watching movies, series and listening to music too, of course back then I was a kid and a lot younger, and was a lot 'easier' for me, now, I have a hard time but still try to stay positive but even if time has passed, it's still easier for me to learn a new language, I've never found it difficult, I just struggle by setting a routine and sticking to it in order to learn it. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you're doing well! Wish you have a lovely day and rest of the week! Take care!
XO, Melissa
I loved reading about your language learning journey. Thank you for sharing it. Watching films and listening to music in a target language is a great way to learn a language.
DeleteI wear scarves and leather jackets a lot in winter too! this oversize scarf looks so soft and cosy, a must have accessory for winter! :) I'm in awe at your skills with languages too - I only know English!
ReplyDeleteMost Europeans speak several languages, in that sense I'm not special at all. I wish I was better at other foreign languages. English is the only language that I'm 100% confident in. At this point, English is like my mother tongue.
DeleteBoa tarde de domingo e bom início de semana. Trabalho de pesquisa maravilhoso minha querida amiga Ivana. As fotos ficaram maravilhosas.
ReplyDeleteObrigada Luiz!
DeleteUma excelente tarde de terça-feira com muita paz e saúde.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeleteThanks Rajani!
DeleteGreat tips. I must admit that I am not good at learning languages. At school I learned English and German. I wanted to learn Japanese myself :) Unfortunately, I'm not very good at it.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is good at it, once they invested enough time to it. Learning language takes time and effort. It's hard because it's hard not because you're not good at it.
Deletethanks for post have a nice day :)
ReplyDeleteBoa tarde de sexta-feira e bom final de semana minha querida amiga Ivana.
ReplyDeleteSuper utili questi consigli, Ivana!
ReplyDeleteA me piacerebbe tanto imparare a parlare bene molte lingue ma... chi ha tempo?
A parte l'italiano ho studiato solo l'Inglese e lo spagnolo a livello scolastico e conosco un pò di francese ma poi sono migliorata molto (come hai detto tu) quando mi sono trovata a doverlo parlare durante i miei viaggi o quando ho frequentato l'Accademia Internazionale di moda e mi sono fatta molti amici che parlavano poco o niente l'italiano.^^
leggo anche bene il greco ed il russo però non li parlo quasi per niente(ho studiato greco antico e il russo l'ho imparato facilmente perchè ha cratteri molto simili al greco) anche se mi piacerebbe e mi sarebbe molto utile visto che d'estate vado quasi sempre in Grecia....
Baci!
S
https://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.com
These are very practical tips about language learning. My husband and I have been speaking Chinese at home more and watching more Chinese shows and it has really reignited our Chinese language skills. I also try to practice when I go shopping which I also find quite helpful.
ReplyDeleteHello, Ivana,
ReplyDeleteI've learnt a lot of English reading your blog and you're right about rereading, repetition helps to understand the language and other levels of meaning better! As for your biker jacket, it's already become a must-have in our wardrobe! I can tell it's a beautiful sunny day in Mostar!
xoxo