Language learning advice I’ve never shared before
I’m sure you’ve seen lots of people on YouTube share ‘things they’ve never shared before’ already. This theme was trending a while back and I thought it would be fun to do something similar but focused specifically on language learning advice.
I’ve shared a lot of language learning advice on my blog and on my YouTube channel already.
You can check out my favourite pieces here:
How to understand native speakers
How to sound more fluent in a foreign language
How I became fluent in English (relevant to all languages)
How to create a language learning routine
So it was quite hard to think of things I have not ever shared before. But I have come up with some so don’t you worry.
They are:
- How to beat anxiety when speaking a foreign language. I discuss two different tactics, which involve imagining you’re an actor in a show, and imagining you’re a celebrity. Curious? Carry on reading!
- A mnemonic-related technique linked to your native language
- Reading backwards to really focus on language structures and expressions
- Maximising the learning potential of watching videos with subtitles
If you’d like to access these tips by watching me talk about them, check out the video below. If not, carry on reading!
How to beat anxiety when speaking a foreign language
Speaking a foreign language can make you feel anxious or nervous. But there is a way to beat those feelings. I’ve got two techniques for you to try out.
The first one involves imagining that you’re an actor in a film or a theatre show.
Sometimes the feeling of anxiety when speaking a foreign language can arise from feeling inadequate or ‘worse’ than the person you’re talking to.
When you imagine you’re an actor and the other person you’re talking to is also an actor, you can sort of begin to see yourselves as equals. You also focus on acting out your role or saying your script. This can really change your mindset and make you feel less nervous.
The second technique I want to share with you involves imagining you’re a celebrity and you’re being interviewed. You’re famous and well known, and you’re an expert in your field. You’ve been invited to an interview because people want to hear from you.
Imaging this situation will help you believe that when you speak, you are listened to. Language learners can often think that the person they’re speaking to is judging them or their language skills. But really they’re there because they want to hear from you. So, this little exercise can hopefully help you change your mindset and really believe that people want to listen to what you’ve got to say.
Linking mnemonics to your native language
Let me just say – I generally don’t recommend thinking in or translating into your native language when you’re learning a foreign language.
I’ve made a video about how to stop doing that, so make sure you check it out!
But if that doesn’t work for you, then you can try out this technique, which does involve thinking in your native language.
When learning a new word, think about which word in your native language this word sounds like. For example, the French word ‘gare’ (train station) sounds exactly like the Polish word ‘gar’ (big pot).
So, I’m going to create a mental image of walking into a train station to see a giant pot of soup that’s being served to everyone who’s waiting for their train. And this image will help me remember the French word ‘gare’.
Reading backwards
This technique is something you can use to make sure that when you’re reading in your target language, you’re focusing on and learning new expressions, idioms, and generally familiarising yourself with the structure of the language.
When you read, it’s easy to forget the things I’ve just mentioned because you’re focused on the meaning of what you’re reading – the message.
To avoid that, and detach yourself from the meaning, you can try reading backwards, sentence by sentence. So, start with the final sentence in a paragraph, then move on to the second last one, and so on, until you get to the first sentence in the paragraph.
Maximise learning when watching videos with subtitles
The final tip I’ve never shared before is to do with watching videos with subtitles. To make sure you’re really learning – practising your listening skills, your vocabulary and your speaking skills – you can follow this pattern:
- Watch a short segment of a video with subtitles once
- Then watch it again and just focus on listening to the audio
- Next, just read the subtitles
- Then, watch it again, and listen and read at the same time
- Finally, watch the video again, and listen and repeat at the same time
Note that the subtitles should be in your target language!
OK, that’s it – my four tips I have never shared before. Now I have! I hope you enjoyed them.
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