Questions tagged [effectiveness]
Questions regarding the effectiveness of specific language-learning or teaching techniques.
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Are there any studies on whether it is more effective to study a language a bit everyday or have a couple longer sessions?
As with trying to learn anything, language learning obviously takes time and practice, but many people, myself included, have limited time to dedicate to a language learning practice. With limited ...
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What research is there on the effectiveness of teaching languages without explicit grammar instruction, compared to other teaching methods?
I found that learning a language without explicit grammar instruction works very well (for me at least, and a few other people I know). The people that I have seen being taught in this way seem to ...
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Learning schedule with multiple languages
I am wondering how to schedule learning my languages to get the best results and to give each of the languages enough time.
Currently I am learning English(C1), German(B2),Turkish(A2) and Spanish(A2).
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Should my current translating process be improved and if so how?
Questions regarding specific language learning techniques or resources, and their effectiveness in comparison to others area allowed on this site according to the help center.
The following is the ...
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Can Siri be used for foreign-language speaking and listening practice?
Siri seems to understand my Chinese, so I'm wondering if it's possible to talk with her in order to get speaking and listening practice. Currently, all I ever do is ask her for the weather. But it ...
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Does one's target level make a difference?
Learning the script for Arabic, Greek, Russian, etc. seems too expensive an investment if one wants to learn just a little of the language (say A1 in the CEFRL). Likewise grammar beyond the very ...
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What are the benefits of intensive reading?
As a corollary to this question, what are the benefits of intensive reading for acquiring a second language? A reference paper would be nice but is not required.
Intensive reading refers to reading ...
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What sequences of learning kanji characters, their readings, meanings, and related vocabulary tend toward longest retention?
In Japanese, many words can be written both with just the kana (phonetically) and with the kanji (Chinese characters).
For example, the character 年 (ねん - "nen") means "year". In ...
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Studies on average time by full immersion in 2nd+ language to become conversant?
Are there any studies that have noted some "average"1 length of time for a brand new 2nd (or 3rd, etc.) language learner fully immersed in a culture to pick up a new language to a level of at least ...
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What are some strategies for effectively studying two unrelated languages simultaneously?
We already have a few questions on this site asking about learning multiple related languages, however, what about learning multiple unrelated languages?
I'm a (mostly self-taught) student of Spanish ...
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Should I start learning another language even if I haven't mastered the last one?
I have studied German for the whole year last year. But I want to study other languages too.
I haven't mastered German yet, and I am seeking advice whether I should start learning a new language ...
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Can a language be improved without further exposure to it by just writing and speaking in that language to others with similar skills?
With "without further exposure," I mean without exposure that contains something you haven't 'seen' before. For example, reading an essay (not written by you) or watching a movie in that language is ...
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What are the benefits of extensive reading?
What are the benefits of extensive reading? More, specifically, in what ways is extensive reading helpful for learning a target language?
Responses based on research would be appreciated.
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How do cloze flashcards compare to translation flashcards?
A cloze flashcard contains a sentence missing a word. For example:
Mi hijo no puede ir al colegio, ______ está enfermo.
Mi hijo no puede ir al colegio, porque está enfermo.
Another form of ...
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How does the vocabulary learned through immersion compare to vocabulary learned via study?
When reading texts in L2, (sometimes) it can be easy to infer the meaning of a word based on its usage in the text. This can work similarly when listening or conversing. (Of course, to ensure there is ...
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According to research, how effective is Memrise for learning vocabulary?
The Memrise website has a page about the scientific principles on which Memrise is based. The page also lists several articles and studies that support these principles. However, it does not list any ...
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Momentum and hours per week
I was told I could be in a beginner's Hebrew class that meets for two hours per week, without any required out-of-class work. I said (or rather, wished to say) that this situation is hopeless: two ...
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What's the most effective way to learn to quickly read Chinese?
I know enough Chinese characters to read quite advanced texts in this language. The problem, though, is that I'm terribly slow, so slow that reading anything is not a pleasure. This is something that ...
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Is there reliable data for the success rates of different methods of learning/reviewing vocabulary?
Is there reliable data for the success rates of different methods of learning/reviewing vocabulary? I.e.:
no reviewing
audiobooks
hand-written flashcards
SRS flashcard apps
Goldlist method
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Is there any research on the effectiveness of learning verb tables?
I own books with verb tables for French, German and Spanish, i.e. for several languages with rather elaborate verb conjugations. At school, I was made to learn such conjugations for French verbs and ...
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What are the benefits of learning Slovianto or Interslavic as an introduction to Slavic languages? [duplicate]
I don't plan to learn a specific Slavic language, but I want to be able to grasp the subject of any text written in any Slavic language. The constructed languages Slovianto and Interslavic look ...
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Does the quality of audio recordings affect their effectiveness in exemplifying pronunciation?
Some of the FSI free language courses are accompanied by audio recordings which were originally on cassette tapes. This means that those recordings are not quite on par with the more modern audio ...
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What is the impact of studying a third language in a second language?
when learning a third language, what are the relative advantages or disadvantages of studying the third language in either my native language or my second language?
More specifically, if I choose to ...
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Does writing out by hand generally strengthen retention better than computerized memorization methods?
Language learning (well, in my experience) involves a lot of review. A LOT. Pounding that vocabulary into my brain again and again; over and over.
I spend a lot of time on the computer, so, naturally,...
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Are there differences in effect of advanced language classes for native speakers vs second language learners?
I've seen advanced graduate courses for languages, in which the level of the language itself is higher than average for the average native speaker.
I was wondering if there was any research on ...
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How does learning vocabulary through sentences compare to learning with words alone?
When learning vocabulary, especially with the use of SRS (Spaced Repetition System), it is interesting to use flashcards. A commonly encountered problem is how to formulate those for maximum ...
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Can listening to music (lyrics) help increase listening skill?
Music is usually everywhere and in every language known on Earth probably. They also contain lyrics in foreign languages - which seemingly can help improve our skills and fluency with that particular ...
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How can I prevent myself from forgetting a language?
Many people forget languages entirely after enough time. I've become fluent in Spanish, but I haven't used it in over a year, and most of my family and friends don't speak it fluently. With all the ...
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Studies regarding language reacquisition
In my experience with language learning, 'if you don't use it, you lose it'.
Are there any studies regarding re-learning a second language after [extensive] periods of disuse? In particular, I'm ...
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Why are flash cards effective in learning a language?
As seen, flash cards are very common in learning other languages. Flash cards seem to help learners learn words faster and more effectively. Lots of language learning programs use flash cards as well ...
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When using flashcards, should the word or the definition be hidden?
A lot of language learning methods use flash cards to allow them to remember words and their definitions and to test their memory. Some people hide the words, while others hide the definition, which ...
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Which of these is more effective: having a silent period, or speaking from day one?
Nowadays, people usually learn languages in one of two ways: silent learning or speaking the new language from day one. They have their pros and cons but differ from each other greatly.
A silent ...
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