Our latest language learning tip video teaches you how to improve your accent and pronunciation in a foreign language.
Beginners will not want to focus heavily on these techniques but should definitely be aware of them and be using them as they progress. You can also use these techniques to simply build speaking fluency. A large part of speaking fluency is recall and muscle memory. You may have the words but stumble when it is time to speak because you have not developed the muscle memory or habit.
1. Alphabet and Compound Sounds – Make sure that you know all of the alphabets individual and compound sounds so that you can say them without thinking. It needs to become second nature.
2. Go Slow - When you practice take your time and sound out each syllable. I know natives don’t always pronounce each syllable but learn it correctly first and then you can adjust later. Your speaking abilities will sound more polished and natural. When you do start to drop syllables or to speak quickly like a native you will sounds even better.
3. Be a Copy Cat – I know that your mom told you that it isn’t nice to be a copy cat but when learning a foreign language it pays. Pick a subject and study them. Imitate everything they say and how they say. Choose someone who’s accent and pronunciation you enjoy and do your best to speak like them.
Let me know what you think and if you have any of your own tips. Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog by clicking on the green counter at the top right and please rate our videos at YouTube.
Here’s a language learning tip that is a personal favorite. Leave a comment or subscribe to our blog and let us know what you think or what has worked for you.
A brief synopsis of the video:
Making language studies convenient and easy is very important. It is important for 2 reasons.
1. When the going gets tough – When language learning becomes difficult or a chore students often give up or move on.
2. Natural is better - Language learning is more natural when it is extemporaneous and in the moment.
How to make language learning more convenient:
1. Plan ahead – Make sure that you think ahead about how you can make your language studies more natural. For example if you are in the car and you have satellite radio tune into one of the foreign language stations. Watch the news in Spanish. Make daily activities that you would do normally into language learning opportunities.
2. Use Convenient Tools – Make sure that you have the tools necessary to help you make language learning convenient. A small notepad always at the ready. A very small pocket dictionary. Foreign language music or podcasts on your ipod.
Most people who are studying foreign languages will have a whole library of books about their language of interest. However, there a few that you just can’t do without. I show books for different languages but you can find the books I show in almost any language easily with the exception of my extremely small French only dictionary.
List of Books:
1. 501 verb books: When I was learning French I chose the 6 most common conjugations and learned the different verb types. Er, Ir, Oir….. I started by writing them hundreds of times each until I could recite them without thinking. Then I progressed to reciting them by memory. Next I created sentences and used all of the conjugations for each pronoun in each tense until is was second nature.
2. Standard Dictionary: Although there are lots of dictionaries out there very few do it well. Look for a dictionary with precise, up to date and adequate definitions. It also helps if they have examples of how the word is used contextually or idiomatically.
3. Theme Based Dictionaries: I personally really like Mastering “Language” Vocabulary by Barron’s but I’m sure there are others that are very good. The books gives you a lot of vocabulary words that are important in certain subjects but you may have not have thought of because they are more idiomatic or technical words that are uncommon.
4. Uber Tiny Pocket Dictionary: I found this dictionary while living in France and fell in love. I literally carried it with me everywhere I went for 1.5 years. At anytime I wanted to find out what a word meant that someone said in a conversation or while reading I instantly looked it up. This dictionary is French only so I only started using it after I was conversational. However, it is the most important book in my collection because it makes language learning convenient and immediate. Often times you’ll think of a word and then forget it because by the time you get home and can look it up you’ve completely forgot.
I hope this helps you get started learning your desired foreign language or improves your current studies.
I’m not one who believes that people are limited. I don’t think that we have supernatural powers but at the same time feel that what holds many back are our own minds. Fear, Doubt, Apprehension, Suspicion, Laziness and Preconceived notions about how something is. I think that language learning is the same way.
I often get asked by adult students if it is too late for them to learn a foreign language. My response is always that anyone can learn a foreign language. You may learn faster or slower than the next but if you work hard you will learn the language.
Adults are no different than kids in our ability to learn except that we have this intellectual or emotional baggage that tells that we can’t do something or that it is too difficult and not worth trying. Kids just do it because it is part of their life.
I’ve been thought about this for a long time and these are just some of my personal rantings about Kids vs Adults in language learning. Here’s the blog post that reignited this subject for me.
I’m not sure that it is an easier for younger children to learn a foreign language but it does seem that the end result is a more fluid and natural speaker of the 2nd language. Adults can achieve the same results but it takes time and hard work. Work that kids just saw as part of life and occured “naturally” for them in their daily activities.
I think that part of the reason that we think that kids learn easier is because they don’t remember how hard it was because it was just part of life. Do you ever think about 2nd grade and say history, math or English class was hard? Probably not.
As adults we build up language learning too much in our minds as something hard or think it will be easy and then get discouraged when we don’t speak fluently in 30 days.
It takes kids 7-8 years before they speak their native language extremely well. Even then they will be learning it for another 8-10 years depending on their education. Adults learning a foreign language think it is hard because they are more conscious of the effort they are exerting in order to gain this new skill and knowledge. Additionally, adults have become accustomed to learning new thing quickly with their increase intelligence and experience.
Language has a humbling effect and probably takes the same amount of time to learn as an adult as it does as a child. So do I think that it is easier for kids to learn a foreign language than adults. NO! Adults are just more aware of all of the hard work it takes to learn a language.
Should we start with a round of 20 questions or should I just tell you. You’d be surprised to know that’s extremely simple. My favorite Language learning tool is Pen and Paper. No matter how much technology advances, for me, nothing replaces pen and paper.
So why pen and paper? Well it’s amazing versatile. It does whatever I need it to do and I don’t have to go buy a specific program or have access to a computer to use it. Pen and paper also connects you with the words you are learning. Although making associations, no matter how wild as long as they make sense to you, are important you still need to be able to relate the words you are learning to say with their authentic visual form. Another reason why I love pen and paper is because they are extremely portable and quick. No PDA to turn on or dig out of my bag just pull out an index card or small notebook and a pen from my pocket, jot down a note and back to what I was doing.
So what do I use pen and paper for? Well like I said before it can be used for whatever your personal language learning needs are. So don’t limit yourself to my list but I will tell you mine as long as you promise not to limit yourself to my needs.
- Learning new words – When I’m out and about I am very observant. I look at every thing around and think of all of the items for which I don’t know the name. For example I’m out walking in the streets and I see a balcony and I don’t know what it means. So I just write down balcony and I will look it up later.
Another way I use this same technique is if I hear a new word and I don’t know what it is. I’ll either ask the person right then, “what does “X” mean?, or I’ll write it down and look it up later.
- Remembering new words – When I’m learning new words I try and use them as quickly as possible as long as it’s a useful word. Sometimes though it takes a couple of times of looking it up before it sticks so instead of hauling out the dictionary I write a brief definition of the word in my notebook and then I just quick reference it while I’m in the act. That way it’s immediate and I can use it right away.
- Make Believe – Although I hate workbooks that make you fill in the blank I love to write my own fake conversations or letters. Possibly even keeping a personal journal in your new foreign language. Warning: The first couple of months maybe complete gibberish until you start making progress but it will give you great experience in making real sentences as if you were having conversation. You can also look back on it and “‘obviously” see your progress.
- Repetition – When I was learning French I was the slowest learner in my group. Although I eventually passed all of my contemporaries in ability it was not an easy thing. I have piles of paper where I have wrote and rewrote the different French conjugations until I had memorized all of them and they were like second nature. I no longer had to think about conjugating and I could actually become fluent in conversation. Fluency is different than accuracy and fluency is achieved when you no longer have to think about what you are saying just like a native. That doesn’t mean you won’t make mistakes ( that’s accuracy ) but you will be able to hold extemporaneous conversations.
If anyone else loves Pen and Paper as a language learning tool or has other favorites feel free to post them in the comments. If you enjoyed this post then subscribe to our RSS or receive email notifications of new blog posts.
Summer is ending and that means everyone will have more free time. End summer by starting Spanish lessons or Spanish tutoring for school. We have experienced and native level speaking instructors who will teach you to SPEAK SPANISH.
Phoenix, Arizona and it’s surrounding suburbs: Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Glendale all have very large Spanish speaking populations. In fact 1/3 of all of Phoenix speaks Spanish. So whether you want to learn Spanish to speak with your customers, get a better job, travel to Mexico and South America or because you’ve always wanted to learn the language we can help.
Private Spanish lessons are more effective than generic classes that only make you memorize words. With one on one practice and customized lessons you’ll be speaking much faster than anyone taking a regular Spanish class.
I’m sure that those of you who have been studying foreign languages for a little or long while have used a few if not dozens language books. Language dictionaries, lesson books, grammar books and other miscellaneous language products. I’m also pretty sure that you’ve found your most effective language learning experiences have been when you are immersed in the language.
So in an effort to feel like you are immersed in the language you should try and interact with native materials. They don’t have to be grammar books or practice exercises you need to get authentic French, Spanish or Japanese magazines, music or books. Whatever you can get your hands ons. Try Amazon. Alright so why? Well one it makes sense and two I said so. OK so you aren’t convinced.
Here are a few reasons you should be using primarily native materials supplemented by formal books to help refine your language skills.
1. Your brain is SMART: Consciously and Sub consciously your brain knows you aren’t dealing with the real thing and isn’t going to respond as well to materials that are just fluff.
2. Natural Flow: All of these materials don’t flow naturally the way real people would speak or write the language. If you are reading a formal English book you would look at it and think. No one speaks this way. So why would you do the same when learning a foreign language?
3. You benefit: In the end it will be you who benefits. It may take you a little longer because the writing isn’t dumbed down, but you’ll learn real sentence structure, patters and rhythm.
So no matter what language you are learning do a simple search and try and find materials in your language of Interest. French, Spanish, German, Italian, Greek, Japanese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Hebrew or English. It doesn’t matter. Materials are available and probably a lot cheaper than your books you get from Borders.
Learn Spanish. Learn Spanish guide, all about how to learn spanish and how to speak spanish
Let me first say that yes starting a child’s language education as early as possible is always ideal and the most beneficial. However, parents need to be educated and realistic about the options, priorities and their expectations. Too many parents think that it suffices to enroll their children in a 2 month or twice a week language program that lasts 45 minutes a class and expect their children to magically become fluent. If this is you I’m sorry to break your heart but it’s not going to happen. Unless you child is two and should be in Mensa then you probably have severely unrealistic expectations.
**Before I go any further let me share my list of most important To Do’s for every parent.
Be involved
Be Patient
Be Consistent
Be Proactive
Think Long term
So lets first address some of the common knowledge about kids and learning a foreign language. Yes kids learn very effectively and it helps to start your children at a young age. Why? Before the age of 12-15 kids brains are still creating their network of neurons and that means that instead of installing a new language next to the original they are creating parallel paths in their brains that, to them, all mean the same thing and have no distinct difference. So basically they are native. Now this is also if the kids truly grow up in a bilingual situation. So there has to be a certain level of exposure and commitment to the child’s language education.
Now lets talk about how parents can accomplish this goal and how those without the means to do so can still give their kids a meaningful and effective language education.
So here are the situations where kids can become naturally fluent in a foreign language. * there are always exceptions
One or more parents is a native speaker and only speaks to the in their language
Immersion school. The kids attend a foreign language only school where all subjects are taught in the target language.
Nanny time. If the parents can afford a nanny who is a native speaker of the language the child may not be native but will definitely have the necessary exposure and will do very well.
I know all of those options are very expensive. So for those families without the means or time to dedicate here are some alternative options that will still yield serious and positive results.
Private lessons. Though expensive they are less expensive than private school or a full time nanny. Kids will get one on one exposure to the language.
Play groups: Kids will get to learn the language the way they do best. Through play, imitation and subconscious learning.
Parent Time: Parents can learn the foreign language and in turn teach their children.
Bootstrapping: Do everything that you can that will expose your child to the language or culture.
Attend cultural events
Make friends that speak the language that have kids
Watch movies or cartoons in the language
Read them books in the language. Even “See spot run” is better than nothing.
Call in a favor from that distant relative abroad and send your kid to visit for the summer.
No matter what your child can learn a foreign language. This is a simple article to educate and dispel some of the common myths about childhood language acquisition.
Are you having a hard time finding Spanish study materials online? Well here’s another potential resource for you. http://www.123teachme.com is an online Spanish resource and guide. 123 teach me has paid us to review their site in an unbiased manner and we will not offer anything less than our honest opinion. *see our about page for more details.
123 Teach Me at first glance looks like a simple website, but seem to offer a good variety of language learning resources for their visitors. Here’s a short list of the learning materials and tutorials they provide.
Beginner Spanish
Conversational Spanish
Spanish for Kids
Medical Spanish
Spanish Medical Dictionary
Technical Spanish Lessons
Intermediate Spanish Lessons
Business Spanish
123 Teach Me also provides a list of Spanish language schools in Spanish speaking countries that you can contact if you want to explore learning abroad. What is nice about this section of their website is that they don’t mislead you into thinking they are the school and they don’t seem to take a commission from the school which reduces your costs. It seems to me that the language schools simply pay them a subscription fee to be listed on their website. I think this is a great source for those looking for a language school. They even give details regarding each schools costs, website, amenities, living arrangements and specialties.
I think that even though 123 Teach Me is not an amazing website and could use some more content it does offer some really good resources, learning materials and a solid language school directory for those considering learning Spanish abroad. So check out their website and then give me some feedback.
Learning a foreign language through song is a great technique to improve your listening comprehension and speaking ability. Why you ask? Well from my own experience while living in France I sang often and everytime I learned something new about the language.
1. Slow it Down: Everyone loves a good slow jam. Singing, especially when you have the lyrics to read, helps you by slowing down the speed and allowing you to really hear the words. Normally when listening to native speakers they speak too fast for many beginners to truely pick up the little nuances in their pronuciation and accent. This is really just a different take on the same principle I’ve mentioned before about listening and mimicing.
2. You’re so Dramatic: Normally being a drama queen isn’t appreciated by most but in this situation a little exaggeration goes a long way. Singing allows you to exaggerate your words, pronunciation and accent, without looking like a complete weirdo. Exaggeration allows you to become familar with the often difficult sounds of a foreign language. As you master and gain control over the sounds you will naturally begin to sound more and more like a native speaker. So sing in your car, in a choir or in the shower but make sure you exaggerate.
3. ByAssociation: One of my favorite exercises is to read out loud. Reading out loud allows you to associate the words you normally hear spoken with the a visual image. Also, you get to, again, practice you speaking ability. You are multi-tasking. Singing is another form of reading out loud and allows you to see the words that you normally only hear. Also, because songs are stories you will learn new words and the song will help you to commit them to memory and understand their meaning based on context.
Here are some examples and resources for succesful Sing Study. That has a nice ring to it. If anyone asks it’s mine and I’ve copyrighted the term. : )
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Summer is ending and that means everyone will have more free time. End summer by starting Spanish lessons or Spanish tutoring for school. We have experienced and native level speaking instructors who will teach you to SPEAK SPANISH.
Are you having a hard time finding Spanish study materials online? Well here’s another potential resource for you. 
