Key to Good Language Learning
[01:58.38]Good morning. In today&`&s lecture,
[02:01.58]we shall discuss how to learn a language more effectively.
[02:05.57]It is important to have access to resources
[02:08.52]or open learning centre with a wide range of materials
[02:12.10]and to belong to an institution
[02:14.46]which encourages learners to make use of these resources
[02:18.16]and develop an autonomous approach to learning.
[02:21.49]This does not mean that the teacher
[02:23.24]and the classroom no longer have a crucial role
[02:25.98]to play in the learning process,
[02:28.47]since classroom instruction,
[02:30.45]regular attendance and participation
[02:33.51]together with contact and collaboration
[02:36.29]with colleagues all contribute equally to progress!
[02:40.48]It has been recognised that language learners display
[02:43.63]a variety of different learning styles.
[02:46.70]The way that individual learners respond
[02:49.29]in a shared language learning situation,
[02:52.02]and the kinds of activities they engage in
[02:54.62]when working with language learning materials on their own,
[02:58.48]have been shown to vary.
[03:00.86]The language learning context, therefore,
[03:03.52]also needs to accommodate differences in learning styles
[03:07.21]so that all language learners have the best chance of
[03:10.17]achieving individual success.
[03:12.94]With the above in mind,
[03:14.34]you should develop an autonomous approach.
[03:17.25]Here is a range of ideas for language learning activities
[03:21.06]which you might wish to try out and, if successful,
[03:25.34]build into your own repertoire of learning strategies.
[03:29.29]Try out these activities and if you find them effective,
[03:33.35]build them into your individual study programme.
[03:36.92]The activities are organised under the main skill(s) they relate to.
[03:41.84]Language learning is often seen
[03:43.53]in terms of four basic language skills:
[03:46.80]listening, speaking, reading and writing.
[03:51.03]There can, of course,
[03:52.53]be an overlap between skill areas—
[03:55.50]grammar and vocabulary are two extra areas
[03:58.69]which are frequently added to the four skills.
[04:02.02]Another useful way of looking at language
[04:04.41]is in terms of function.
[04:06.71]This involves identifying the different purposes
[04:09.63]for which language is being used.
[04:11.89]For example, language items that
[04:14.10]reflect different functional areas
[04:16.50]such as apologising, introducing and greeting,
[04:20.23]or requesting can be usefully grouped together.
[04:24.07]It is also important to ask yourself
[04:26.33]what you can learn about the society
[04:28.42]and culture of the country where the language is spoken.
[04:32.37]With regard to the particular text
[04:34.48]or language activity you are engaged with,
[04:37.40]you might ask yourself:
[04:39.59]What factual information is there here about the country?
[04:43.51]How does the language reflect
[04:45.02]social relationships and conventions, for example,
[04:48.85]in the way people of different ages
[04:51.01]or statuses address one another,
[04:53.64]how people interrupt, show agreement,
[04:56.22]use body language, and so on?
[04:59.19]How does the language reflect beliefs,
[05:01.29]values and attitudes, for example,
[05:04.52]in how people talk or write about politics,
[05:07.37]social class, national traditions,
[05:10.66]entertainment, religion, and so on?
[05:13.98]What are the differences in the way language is used
[05:17.30]in different situations and for different purposes?
[05:21.16]How are these uses of language different from English,
[05:24.63]or your own native language?
[05:27.19]You should not only know how to study,
[05:29.72]but also be capable of using good resources around you.
[05:34.08]There is a range of materials and resources
[05:36.81]across the university,
[05:38.80]both in dedicated language resources rooms
[05:41.79]and in other areas such as Computing Services laboratories,
[05:46.43]which can be used for language learning.
[05:49.11]We give you a few suggestions below
[05:51.34]for making the best of these:
[05:53.87]Use the Internet:
[05:55.59]to practise reading authentic,
[05:57.37]up-to-date language material—
[05:59.64]go to foreign language pages on the World Wide Web,
[06:03.22]perhaps try an online newspaper
[06:05.97]to access online specialist dictionaries
[06:09.29]to study grammar in context
[06:11.97]to extend your vocabulary in a particular area;
[06:15.93]look at the different categories on SML web pages
[06:20.05]to get informal writing practice—
[06:23.13]join a chatroom for French, German, Spanish etc.
[06:27.59]to practise reading and writing skills
[06:29.80]using the email facility—
[06:32.33]join a foreign language list,
[06:34.46]read a bulletin board in another language,
[06:37.36]strike up an email correspondence
[06:39.51]with a native speaker of the language you are studying
[06:42.88]to tune into digital radio and TV stations
[06:46.10]around the world using a virtual tuner
[06:49.91]Use foreign periodicals and newspapers:
[06:53.07]to practise skim reading for gist
[06:56.05]to develop your knowledge of the target language culture(s)
[06:59.89]to practise speaking after reading—
[07:02.90]orally summarise an article you have read to a partner
[07:06.44]or discuss it together
[07:08.30]to develop your vocabulary
[07:10.02]in a particular area for note-taking
[07:12.75]and practice in writing summaries
[07:15.61]to develop your prediction skills—
[07:18.10]using titles, subtitles, first paragraphs etc.
[07:23.37]Use the self-access laboratory:
[07:26.17]to assess your own speaking skill—
[07:28.77]record yourself speaking on a blank tape,
[07:31.60]then listen critically
[07:33.56]to practise listening
[07:35.34](make use of video and satellite TV
[07:38.34]as well as audio cassettes to practise this) —
[07:41.82]choose one of the listening activities suggested above
[07:45.54]to develop your awareness of important aspects of
[07:48.50]the target language by studying, for example,
[07:52.15]the role of body language in TV programmes or on video
[07:56.92]to share a listening/viewing exercise with a partner,
[08:01.03]discussing or summarising it together afterwards
[08:04.77]to practise note-taking,
[08:06.73]e.g. watch a videotape of a lecture
[08:09.60]in the language you are learning
[08:11.59]to focus on a specific aspect of the language you are learning,
[08:16.05]e.g. grammar in use, a new area of vocabulary,
[08:20.91]accent or intonation
[08:23.65]Use computer-based language learning materials:
[08:27.31]dedicated software,
[08:29.51]e.g. vocabulary and grammar learning exercises
[08:33.62]and “Test Yourself” programs in various languages.
[08:37.80]These can provide a more stimulating alternative
[08:40.62]to book-based exercises
[08:42.82]and can be fun if done with a partner
[08:45.57]interactive language learning courses,
[08:48.13]some with audio and video facilities
[08:51.09]electronic dictionaries for various languages
[08:55.20]language databases providing a rich resource
[08:58.22]for further language study
[09:00.46]foreign language wordprocessing
[09:03.24](e.g. WordPerfect) at all student
[09:06.27]computing services workstations
[09:09.12]digital sound and video files
[09:12.21]And finally, use native speakers:
[09:15.67]this will help develop your fluency
[09:17.79](in speaking and writing)
[09:20.19]set up a tandem partnership—
[09:22.28]you offer a language in return for help
[09:25.29]get involved in genuine communication.
[09:28.27]This is what language learning is all about!
[09:31.45]So do you feel inspired after today&`&s lecture?
[09:34.75]I hope the answer is yes.
[09:37.17]And I feel honored to share so much with you,
[09:40.18]and hope it will help you a lot!