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)
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
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?
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
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..
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..
Saturday, February 12, 2011
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!
Friday, February 4, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, January 28, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
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!
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!
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