Remember:

·        Sometimes especially during the first weeks, your children may feel stress or may express dislike for their language class.  This is very normal for children who have never been exposed to a different language, but they will be fine if we explain to them that this is part of the process of learning a second language. Eventually they will enjoy the challenge of learning a second language J so don't let them give up

·        Students have the best chance of acquiring a near-native accent if the language experience starts early, before puberty. After puberty, almost everyone will have some accent, even if they live for fifty years in a country where the target language is spoken. Just like me J

·       In any language and in any culture, there is no record of infants speaking before they comprehend a huge chunk of the target language. Infants are silent for at least one year while they internalize a map of the target language. During this silent one year period, infants internalize a blueprint of phonology, grammar and semantics before they utter anything intelligible such as “Mommy” or “Daddy.” They achieve this stunning mapping that I call “language-body” conversations (which is the essence of a technique I call the Total Physical Response, known world wide as TPR). Be patient and consistent!

·        Working the daily assignments is not enough. Students need to play with the language like a toy. My model here is Dr. Sam Slick, former chairman of the Foreign Language Department at Southern Mississippi State University where I was invited to speak a few years ago. Let's have fun!

·       If comprehension is important, then why not translate? Translation sounds good, but it does not work very well. The reason: The student’s brain perceives what the instructor is saying in the target language as lies, lies, lies. And the brain will not store lies in long-term memory. Remember Mark Twain’s comment, “ If you tell the truth, you don’t have to have a good memory.” Full Immersion!

Learning a foreign language should be elementary

Now, more than ever, our children need to learn another language. So they can communicate, understand others and compete in a global environment. For the sake of our kids, it’s time to speak up for language education. Visit www.yearoflanguages.org and get involved.

Benefits of learning a second language

Students may not be fully aware of the value of learning a second language, but more and more parents are recognizing that knowing a second language will give their children many advantages in the future.
Learning a second language at an early age...
• Has a positive effect on intellectual growth.
• Enriches and enhances a child's mental development.
• Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.
• Improves a child's understanding of his/her native language.
• Gives a child the ability to communicate with people s/he would otherwise not have the chance to know.
• Opens the door to other cultures and helps a child understand and appreciate people from other countries.
• Gives a student a head start in language requirements for college.
• Increases job opportunities in many careers where knowing another language is a real asset.
(From: http://www.discoverlanguages.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3651 & http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/french/FSL/whatsnew/FSL_handbook/default.html)

Compete. Win. Be-Bilingual!

Learning a second language opens a window of opportunities, but it is not just the learning of the language itself, it is also the understanding and appreciation of other cultures, foods, traditions, religions, and politics. Worldwide, people of all races and cultures are educating themselves in English, as well as the American culture.  The world is progressing as its people master the art of languages and the beauty of cultures. How can we be expected to oversee a world when we have not studied its vast sea of cultures and languages?

Learning Spanish

Learning Spanish  is not as hard as you might think. Using audio resources, gammar exercises, vocabulary, fun games, and a combination of visual and auditory learning techniques will enhance the learning process for your child or for yourself.

To learn proper pronunciation of any language, you must hear it spoken correctly over and over again. Audio resources can be a great addition to helping get you accustomed to hearing the language so you learn to translate what you hear quickly and accurately. Some audio resources can also be taken in your car so you can learn as you are running errands or picking up kids from school or even as entertainment on a road trip.

A very important part of learning to speak Spanish is grammar. Most languages have different grammar structure than English. It is important to understand how to create proper sentences both when speaking the language and writing it. Look for classes that provide sufficient grammar exercises so you can learn correct grammar through comprehensive instruction and plenty of practice.

Another component to learning Spanish is vocabulary. An ample glossary is important, but you may not need to invest in a Spanish dictionary right away since there are so many good online Spanish dictionaries that can be used to complement your studies. However, finding a Spanish language learning program should include asking about the amount of vocabulary that is taught in the program.

It is also important to find a Spanish class or course that takes a variety of learning styles into consideration. This is especially important when learning Spanish for kids. Some children are auditory learners while others are visual. The best Spanish learning practices will provide a combination of visual and auditory learning techniques to appeal to more students in a single session and will help provide an great learning experience for you or you child..

Spanish

Learning Spanish is very important these days and can be very benificial. Spanish is the second world language, after English, for international communication and the third as an international language of politics, economics and culture. More and more companies in the US give special hiring consideration to employees who are bilingual. Some people want to learn Spanish to secure a new job, some people are traveling to a foreign country, while others want to learn to know how to speak to friends. Whatever your reason, Spanish is one of the best choices when it comes to a second language and the advantages of knowing it will be a life long asset!

The Silent Period of Learning a New Language

Most new learners of language will go through a "silent period," where they are unwilling or unable to communicate orally. They may understand much of what is going on around them except they are not yet comfortable speaking in the new language, because it is difficult for them to express their thoughts orally. Children, going through this silent period, should not be forced to speak before they are ready. They need time to listen to others talk, digest what they hear, and observe their fellow classmates' interactions with each other. Just because they are silent, doesn't mean they are not learning the language. You will find that children in the "silent period" are learning many words, ideas, and idioms, although they may not yet be comfortable with speaking as part of the group or individually.

Many factors play in to the length of the silent period. It can vary greatly for students in classrooms from a few days to a year. This is simply due to a student's experience with language, their personality, and their emotions around learning a new language. It can vary so greatly. When the child is silent in the dominant classroom language, it can be hard to know where they are in acquiring the language, so we do different things to find out how much they are learning and what they are absorbing.

Having a student feel comfortable around the language and making learning fun is important. We ask the questions that allow the student to respond with nods of "yes" or "no". Having children draw pictures is helpful also. They can then try to describe in one-word answers what they have drawn. Many students will begin using their first words when it is something about what they enjoy or about their family. We accept as response facial expressions like smiles. Nonverbal cues from children in classes can include establishing eye contact, flipping through pages of writing for us, or pointing to an answer. We may share a word or two in the child's language to help in the understanding, or ask a child to share with us what he or she sees in a picture in a book.

The silent period at any age can last many months. Even students who understand a tremendous number of words or phases and concepts can be overwhelmed at the thought of trying to speak in the new language. If we can convey through our verbal and nonverbal cues that we want to communicate and trust that the communication will come, the student will eventually start to speak and begin to feel comfortable with speaking. Classrooms that are engaging and fun, non-threatening, and honor a child's native language and all cultures, can help with a student's motivation.  Each student’s ability to learn to risk speaking and level of comfort speaking the new language will come in its own time. The silent period is just a learning period and part of learning a new language.

How Long Does it Take to Learn Another Language?

Learning another language can take years to become truly fluent, but this is just an estimate and many things factor into the equation. Every person is different, and depending on your background you can become fluent in a shorter period of time if you truly dedicate the time to study, practice speaking with fluent native speakers, and choose the right language for you or your child to learn.  Working with a tutor always is beneficial along with setting goals to learn the language in a certain time frame. Understanding that learning a language also has its different stages will keep you focused and consistent with the process. Finding enjoyable and effective ways to go about the learning process, by making learning a language fun, can truly help shape the way you learn another language.

Second language acquisition is a process in which the student learns another language that is not his or her first language. Choosing a language close to your native language can shorten the time it takes to learn another language. Also choosing a language that will benefit you in life and  business later on is another motivational tool to encourage learning and dedication till greater fluency is obtained.  Learning a second language follows roughly similar rules as learning a first language, as far as learning the grammatical features of that language are concerned. Learning a second language at an early age will only enhance the possibility of successful learning. Memory also is a factor in the process of learning a language and how it is stored for use.

So although no one can truly give an exact time it takes to learn a second language, experts say all the factors that influence the time frame can be shortened by practice, dedication, memory, making it fun, and the process in which it is learned.

How to Choose What Language to Learn

English is one of the main languages used world wide in business, science and for communicating internationally. If you live in the United States it is imperative that you know English, and if you are in another country it is good for you to know it for the reasons already stated, including access to books, magazines, movies and websites all over the world.

Spanish is the second most used language world wide for business. It is easy to learn. It is also a logical and useful language to learn and is on top of many lists of languages to learn. Its very handy for traveling. Many languages are similar and there can be the added advantage of being able to pick out words of other languages when knowing Spanish. There is also a wealth of books, movies and websites in Spanish. For those living in or applying for a job outside of the USA, knowing Spanish can be a great advantage in seeking a job.

French is a very romantic language to know, but can be difficult to learn. It can open doors for travel and give an advantage to many jobs worldwide, while giving you an advantage in gastronomy, literature, films, music and architecture.

Mandarin is a language much harder to read and write, than to speak. It is one of the languages of the future with China being a world economic leader. Many Chinese cinemas are to be found and there are many Chinese people in the world and the USA to practice with.

German is an important European language, that can be very difficult to learn. It has a wealth of cultural material and gives you access to most of Europe and its great economy.

Italian is one of the beautiful languages of the world and a must for art lovers. It is an easy language to fall in love with and the Italian culture also. It has similarities in vocabulary and grammar with Spanish, French, and Portuguese. It is also a language not too difficult to learn.

Japanese is a fascinating language with a fascinating culture behind it, but it may be one of the most difficult languages to learn due to a very complex grammar system and way of writing. Although Japan has the second larges world economy, so if considering future jobs out of the USA you may want to consider Japanese.

Russian is a fascinating language a little less difficult to learn than one might expect. It allows for travel in Russia and ex soviet countries with ease. There is also an enormous amount of reading material to be found in Russian.

Arabic has a united writing system based on the Koran, even if there are many dialects. It presents you with unique skills and advantages to archeological facts and historic information.


Each language can have its advantages and of course when it comes to science and medicine Latin is a must. Other languages such as Korean, Thai, Cantonese, Dutch, Portuguese, Turkish, Persian, Swedish and so many more can be fun and exciting to learn!

Study Tips for Learning Language

Some Study Tips That Will Help You When Learning a New Language 

1. Learn vocabulary: it is one of the essential elements of communication. The more words you know, the more you understand and the more you can say.

2. Practice: the use of a language always leads to better knowledge of it. Practice speaking and using it when ever possible. Say words out loud even when just studying on your own. Read aloud instead of just mentally.

3. Homework : do it in a way that it helps you practice and learn. Look up words you don't know. Finding the correct answers will help you learn things in the right way and keep you from guessing. Learn the proper forms and use them to help in your learning process.

4. Identify your learning style: use what helps you learn the best. We learn in different ways. Knowing how best you learn will help you be more efficient and will accelerate your pace of learning. If you are a visual learner, write things down and try other ways of learning to accentuate your language experience.

5. Expose yourself to language: put yourself into situations where you might need to use the language or listen to it. Find friends that speak the language, rent a movie in that language, or go to chats on the internet. This will help with fluency.

6. Set realistic expectations: it's natural to feel a bit uncomfortable with a new language. It is okay to not understand everything and not know everything. That is why you are learning. It takes a while for your ear to begin to pick up certain sounds and words and to begin to accustom yourself to the differences between the language you are learning and your first language. The only way to learn a new language is to practice!

7. Break study into shorter learning periods: Many people learn more effectively when they do not overwhelm themselves with too much information at once. Use blocks of time so you will not frustrate yourself and give yourself time to practice in fun ways.

8. Study with others: form study groups with friends or classmates. Using other classmates to help you study is a great way to practice another language.

10 Good Reasons to Learn Another Language

"Everyone speaks English so why should I learn another language?" I have heard this question from people before, so I am going to give you the same answers I gave them.


1. Learning another language opens up opportunities in the world market that you might not have otherwise. Whatever your career goals may be, it can’t hurt to know another language, on the contrary many employers not only reward an employee that has language skills, many require it for certain positions. 


2. It allows you to learn more about your native language. Knowing another language can actually help you have a stronger vocabulary and a better understanding of your native language. It enhances learning skills and memory.


3. You are better equipped to adapt to a rapidly changing world. It helps you to have a global understanding of different cultures ideas and in turn gives you an advantage.  


4. It helps your cognitive learning abilities. Knowing another language helps in learning, problem solving,  and doing better in school in general. Students that know another language tend to score higher on standardize tests. Children who have studied another language at the elementary level do better in reading, language, math, in their native language. They are more creative in general and have higher conceptualizing skills.


5. It improves your chances of getting into the college of your choice. Knowing another language can give you an advantage when it comes to applying to the college or university you wish to attend. It can make you a more competitive applicant even for graduate school. 


6. An appreciation of learning new languages can help you to value international music, movies, and literature. So many wonderful cultural opportunities abound for those that can experience other languages, even if you do not speak them all. The original language of the art form is beautiful, and understanding it in the language it was written in is preferred to the translated version, because you may not get the full flavor, style, or uniqueness of the piece.


7. It gives you options to study abroad. The competition to be considered for a study abroad position can be intense, and knowing more than one language can help tremendously. Even the willingness to learn another language or study in a country that does not speak English can be a benefit toward studying abroad. 


8. It helps make lifelong friends that you might not otherwise have made when you meet people that speak a different language than you. Establishing connections with other language speakers whether through business, travel, or studies can lead to wonderful friendships.


9. Knowing to speak another language will make travel so much easier and fun. Knowing even a few phrases can be very helpful when you travel to another country. Most people appreciate the fact that you tried to learn their language and are more willing to help when they see you have cared enough to learn about their language before you came to visit their country.


10. It can open up understanding of yourself and your own culture. It truly opens the door to learning more of your own culture by not limiting your perspective. Intercultural experiences help give a better awareness and appreciation of your life.

First and Second Language Acquisition

First Language Acquisition

Language development and acquisition begins at a very young age in children. A person begins learning language by mimicry, as it is spoken, then later moves from simple to complex. All of us start life without language, but by the time we are four months old most babies discriminate speech sounds. Baby talk, or babbling, might not sound like language to us, but it is the way we learn to speak.

Language usually begins by simple words associated with things or faces, but as babies grow into toddlers the words gain meaning and they are connected with the words formed. As we grow we create new associations to words and vocabulary increases as we learn new words.

It is said that babies can distinguish speech patterns of their mothers voice even before they are born. Pre-verbal vocalizations are used after birth, and that leads to learning their first language from parents or caretakers without conscious instruction. 

Not all linguists agree on the exact way language is learned but most agree that biological, environmental, and social influences affect language acquisition and it is unique to humans. To speak requires a vocal apparatus as well as a nervous system with specific capabilities. Some say that the slow development of the prefrontal cortex in humans allows us to learn language. Social interaction with people who vocalize is crucial for developing language.

Second Language Acquisition

This is a process where people learn a second language not their native language.  The term bilingual usually refers to someone speaking more than one language, but some experts say it is only achieved by growing up naturally speaking both languages even if one is dominant. Not many who learn to speak a second language speak as a true native speaker. Heritage speakers learn two languages as they grow and even if not completely fluent in one language, they still have an advantage over monolinguals or second language speakers as far as language acquisition goes. This is a big argument in teaching a child a second language at the earliest age possible.

The order in which a second language is acquired is roughly similar to that of a first language although not as stable, due in part to the mental process or language transfer. This is the process of using what you know of your first language and applying the rules to a second or third language. At all levels, transfer is an important factor in learning another language. Receiving input, interacting, and meaningful output allows the learner to begin the process of acquiring a new language.  How a person analyses or connects sentences for meaning plays a roll in how they learn another language. A gradual process of learning is similar to learning other cognitive skills. 

Storage of a second language influences how it is learned.  In other words if a person has a good short-term memory they are better at learning and organizing a new language quickly. This helps to show why some people have more aptitude for learning second languages than others, but does not mean the others con not learn.

There are also learning and communicating strategies in learning a second language. Communicative strategies may not affect the learning strategies, but the learning strategies do seem to affect the way we communicate in a second language.  If the process of learning a second language is a positive one, it motivates a learner to use it more often and in turn they acquire a second language quicker and with more proficiency.

The Advantages of Learning another Language in Elementary School

Studies have shown that children who learn a language before adolescence are much more likely to have a native-like pronunciation. Much of the reason for this proficiency is attributed by experts to the physiological changes that occur in the maturing brain as a child enters puberty. This is of course with the knowledge that the more years a child can devote to learning a new language, the more competent he or she will become. Exposing them to new language at a young age is the best time. Young children are uniquely suited to learning a second language. The developing brain is hard-wired to acquire language. Never again will it be this natural or this easy!

What Are The Benefits of Knowing a Second Language?

What Are the Benefits of Knowing a Second Language?

Students of foreign languages score statistically higher on standardized tests conducted in English. In its 1992 report, College Bound Seniors: The 1992 Profile of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, the College Entrance Examination Board reported that students who averaged 4 or more years of foreign language study scored higher on the verbal section of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) than those who had studied 4 or more years in any other subject area. In addition, the average mathematics score for individuals who had taken 4 or more years of foreign language study was identical to the score of those who had studied the same number of years of mathematics. These findings are consistent with College Board profiles for previous years.

Students of foreign languages have access to a greater number of career possibilities and develop a deeper understanding of their own and other cultures. Some evidence also suggests that children who receive second language instruction are more creative and better at solving complex problems. The benefits to society are many. Americans fluent in other languages enhance our economic competitiveness abroad, improve global communication, and maintain our political and security interests.

Stages Of Learning a New Language: Stage V

Stages of Learning a New Language 
Stage V: Advanced Fluency

It takes from 4 to 10 years to achieve cognitive academic language proficiency in a second language. At this stage a students ability to perform in content area learning will be near-native. Continued reading and studying will only insure greater fluency at this stage, just as it does with their own native language. Students will speak and write smoothly and easily, and are quite capable of using the language however they need at this stage. Their command and usage of the language is now eloquent and done with ease. Pronunciation and vocabulary are used correctly with very few mistakes.

Conclusion

So, now you see the different stages a student must to go through to learn a new language. These stages are presented in a simple to understand outline, but how long each student spends in each stages will be totally up to the learner and these are only approximate time frames. You get an idea of how your child will grow and learn in the process of learning a second or even third language and see how important it is for them to have a head start on learning a language instead of waiting till they are older.

Learning a New Language - Stage IV: Intermediate Fluency

Stage IV: Intermediate Fluency

At this stage of learning a language, a student will have an average vocabulary consisting of about 6000 active words. They are beginning to use complex sentences when they write and speak. They express opinions and share thoughts. At this stage they will ask questions to clarify what they are learning in class. They can also begin to use literature as a tool for better comprehension. The student will use strategies from their native language to help learn content in the new language.

Students may still have errors when writing during this stage in the process of mastering the grammar and sentence structure of another language. They should be able to form or combine parts and elements of what they have learned to arrive at conclusions while writing and speaking. Students in this stage will also be able to understand more complex concepts. 

Stages of Learning a New Language / Stage III

Stage III: Speech Emergence

In this stage the students have developed a vocabulary of about 3000 words and can begin to communicate with simple phrases and short sentences. They may ask simple questions that may or may not be grammatically correct. The student can understand simple stories supported by pictures. They can begin to read short texts and stories by sounding out the words phonetically. The students can fill in blanks in sentences usually choosing the correct word or words. They can begin to match vocabulary words with definitions. Flash cards are helpful with learning vocabulary. The students can understand instructions and simple two-step directions. Students can begin to write about topics that interest them and should be encouraged to do so regularly, proceeding at their own level and pace. This is a good way for them to express their thoughts and ideas and use the language in a way that is fun. 

Stages of Learning a New Language (Stage II)

Stages of Learning a New Language

Stage II: Early Production

In the early production stage the student has learned about 1000 words and will begin to develop a receptive and active vocabulary. This stage can last up to 6 months. The students can use short language chunks or speak in one or two word phrases. They have memorized words and may not always use them correctly.

Some of the ways to work with students in this phase is to ask simple yes/no and either/or questions. It is also important to accept a students one or two word answer so as to encourage the use of the language. Participating and usage of the words known is an important part of this stage of learning a new language. The usage of pictures and focusing on using visuals are still very helpful to continue building vocabulary. Encouraging the usage of the vocabulary (even if used wrong) is very important during this stage. 

How Important is it to be at Least Bilingual in Todays World?

Speaking to a bilingual friend who is in her early twenties, I asked her why she thought is was important for her to be bilingual. Her answer was... "It not only introduces me to other cultures I might otherwise not learn about, but it has been an important bonus in job searching for me; not to mention the great advantages I have when I travel." 
I am surprised to see the lack of interest in the community about having bilingual citizens. I always tell my students: you are not competing with the guy next door; you are competing with the guy in India, South America, Asia, or Europe. So, why we are not pushing for bilingual education as parents? Why do we wait till our children are in high school for them to take the two years required to graduate? The earlier a child is introduced to another language the better. The high school years can build on the earlier exposure allowing for practice and further learning instead of beginning from scratch in their teens. As parents we need to expose our children at an early age to languages other than their native tongue. The advantages are tremendous and our children will be the ones who benefit from knowing another language. 

Stages of Learning a New Language

There are 5 Stages in the learning of a second language. In my next few blogs I will expand on these stages so you can understand each one. Of course there will be slight variations in each students way of learning. These are just some guidelines for you to understand the acquisition of a second language and its stages. Also please note that the length of time each student spends on a particular stage may vary. 

Stage 1: Pre-Production (also known as the Silent Stage)

 During this period the student is mainly silent. This does not mean they do not parrot the words, or have the ability repeat everything you say,  only that they are learning and storing the vocabulary. Students may have up to a 500 word vocabulary during this stage but they are not yet speaking the new language. 

The student listens attentively, responds to visuals and pictures, and can understand and duplicate gestures. During this stage the teacher focuses on building vocabulary. Much repetition is necessary at this stage.  

A great benefit of this stage would be a buddy or friend with whom to practice or to speak with to encourage them to listen to and practice the vocabulary they are storing. 

True Story

A friend of mine spoke two languages to her daughter after her birth, Spanish and English. When her daughter was one and a half years old she was concerned because she didn't seem to be speaking as much as she most babies at this age and just pointed at things instead of asking for them with words. She spoke with her pediatrician about her concerns. The doctor explained to her that  her baby was just listening and learning and as long as there were no physical problems (which there were not) then she should just be patient and her daughter would speak when she was ready. A few months later the little girl started speaking in complete sentences in both languages! It was amazing to her mom who was expecting her to say a word here or there. This is a good example of the way a child learns to speak a language.