Building an Effective Vocabulary

Before I tell you how to build a truly effective vocabulary, I want you to know that I've added an "About" page to explain a little more about myself and The Language Station. Check it out when you get a chance. I'll also be adding other pages soon, including a resource page. Now for today's post, "Building an Effective Vocabulary."

In my last post, When Grammar is a Problem in Language Learning, I gave you advice that usually makes language instructors tilt their head in disbelief when they hear it. To many, asking students to focus on vocabulary in the beginning and to leave the grammar for later, seems counterproductive. Actually, it’s not. 

Why not?

Because the vocabulary I recommend for a student to focus on automatically forces some grammar in, but without explanation of any rules. This method has been tested on the ground in real life and it gets students FUNCTIONING in day-to-day situations, very quickly. That’s only IF a student actually puts it into practice.  Tips like these will continue to make more and more sense as I post future additions. These first three tips are only part of a series. They work best when put together.

Unconventional Tip Number Three: The vocabulary to learn in the early stages should ONLY include nouns and verbs that can be used IMMEDIATELY. The choice of which ones will vary based on the student’s surroundings or needs. For a simple example, a woman studying English for business should only learn the words that she will hear or need to speak today and tomorrow in her work. Don’t limit yourself to the suggested vocabulary of a course book unless it really fits your immediate needs. Otherwise, you probably wont be able to use everything it suggests, and you will definitely need more than it gives. Create your OWN vocabulary list. Don't add to your list more than about five or ten words in a day. In one week, that makes 35-70 words! Not bad for a start, eh?

In my next post, I’ll give you three more steps to complete this process so you can start speaking complete phrases, c-o-r-r-e-c-t-l-y and without consciously learning the grammar. This will be perhaps one of the BIGGEST and most helpful tips I can give you. I’ll also have a word or two for those who are learning an Asian language like chinese etc.

Until then, Happy Language Learning!

Mark

When Grammar is a Problem in Language Learning

When adults begin to study a foreign language, most courses and conventional text books present grammatical concepts immediately. But I am convinced the worst mistake language learners can make is to focus on the grammar upfront.

Why?

I have many reasons for saying this, but for now here are three:

1. It's an unnatural way to process a language

2. You need to understand your own language's grammar first (and most people don't) before you can grasp another

3. It shifts the focus from communicating, to calculating, and therefore slows you down to the point of frustration and discouragement. And if you're a perfectionist like me, attention to correct grammar too early may just completely paralyze you for fear of not "saying it correctly."

Think about how children learn languages. Do adults explain to them proper grammar or sentence structure? Do kids pause to ask themselves if this phrase or that phrase requires the present perfect or the past simple?

Of course not!

Toddlers learn by making all those mistakes that we big people think are so cute. But one thing is certain: They are determined to make themselves understood, and typically with just a word or two. Kids are NOT afraid to use what they know BEFORE they understand grammar.

Obviously, grammar DOES have a place in my own language studies, and when I teach others. But it's not at the very beginning. By making mistakes and simply using what they know, young ones stay encouraged to keep on talking, and eventually learn to speak correctly anyway.


This is one of the secrets to learning a language fast. Don't let grammar slow you down, get some vocabulary and start using it immediately.

Unconventional Tip Number Two: Focus on vocabulary in the beginning, and leave the grammar for later. I'll explain how best to do this and what to do with your new vocabulary, in my next post.

Happy Language Learning!

Mark

Effective Language Study

Through the years I've met a lot of wonderful people that were zealous to learn a second language. Some of them just dreamed about doing it, others started doing it. But few actually did it to the point that they could say they learned one. Fewer still made it to a level that they could give someone directions while on vacation in a foreign country. Obviously, not everyone needs to reach that kind of fluency (though it would be nice). But those who study a language should at least reach their goal before saying "enough." I say this with empathy because I personally understand the blood, sweat and tears that go into learning languages. I am not just a language instructor, but I've also been and will continue to be, a language student for life.

In 1993 during the war, I was plunged into a little village in Yugoslavia where I lived for four years. Speaking, reading and writing Serbian proficiently (with its two alphabets in Cyrillic and Latin) along with a little Hungarian at the same time, were two tasks I needed to accomplish quickly. I then had to repeat the process and learn Italian in 2001 after moving to the province of Treviso, in northeastern Italy where I still live at the time of writing. In 2009, once again I was faced with the task of learning a language for my seminary course. This time, it was Koine Greek. That was no cake walk!

Now I'm in the process of learning ancient Hebrew. Yes, I know. I'm a glutton for punishment. But seriously, learning a second language, and even a third or fourth, is not only possible, but if you do it right, it can be enjoyable and extremely rewarding in so many ways. What's more, it gets easier the more you do it. The problem is very few people have that kind of experience because either they are doing enough things wrong that frustration crushes them, or they just lack certain habits that they could easily develop with the right instruction.

It's true, learning a language means hard work. I'd be lying to you if I said it weren't. And I can't offer you a miracle pill to make it happen. But I can offer you The Language Station to help you through your various stages of language study. Best of all, it's F-R-E-E! As an ESL teacher, I conduct English lessons to corporate and private students. My philosophy, methods and habits are definitely NOT text book. In fact, they may be called unorthodox. But they have worked for me, and my students (when they are applied), every time. They will work for you, too.

If you are a serious language student, an enthusiast, or just preparing to order pasta on your next vacation in Venice, this blog is here to help you get the most from your study time. How you study a language and maintain it, makes all the difference between time well spent and time much wasted.

Be sure to tune in to The Language Station to get free advice, unconventional tips, tricks and study techniques, book recommendations, funny blooper stories and a lot more. I'm still developing the site, so you'll want to check back frequently or just subscribe to not miss any valuable posts.

Unconventional tip number one: when just beginning a foreign language, a-v-o-i-d the grammar. I'll tell you why in my next post.

Happy language learning!

Mark