Questions tagged [learning-methods]
For questions about methods, techniques, and/or practices that assist in learning another language
328
questions
62
votes
10
answers
3k
views
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 ...
- 1,162
48
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How can I verify my pronunciation without a native speaker?
I've been learning Japanese for a short while, and it uses some sounds that aren't in my native language (English). (For example, the "r" sound, which has been described to me as a combination of "d", ...
- 4,975
37
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Has the "direct method" of language learning been shown to be superior to translation-based methods?
The textbook I'm using to learn Latin, called Lingua Latina per se Illustrata, is an example of the "direct method" of language instruction. The text is entirely written in Latin, and progresses ...
33
votes
6
answers
7k
views
What are the drawbacks to Duolingo?
We've all heard of Duolingo, and we've all probably used it at least a little bit. I have friends who think it's amazing.
But what are the drawbacks to using Duolingo? In particular, have any ...
- 5,132
31
votes
4
answers
677
views
How can I avoid learning an incorrect pronunciation due to a word's spelling?
I've noticed that I and others (sometimes entire communities) mispronounce words in a second language, which they could in theory pronounce well using phonemes of their first language, because of the ...
- 628
29
votes
2
answers
404
views
What research is there on the efficiency of online language learning compared to in person learning?
Have there been enough studies to draw any definitive conclusions on how well sites such as Duolingo or Livemocha work in comparison to classroom learning?
user136
29
votes
4
answers
631
views
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 ...
- 5,318
27
votes
2
answers
388
views
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,...
- 4,975
27
votes
2
answers
549
views
What are some techniques to better differentiate between the two languages?
I grew up learning Spanish in school (I'm from Arizona) and became fluent in Spanish. Later, in college, I started learning French. I noticed many of the linguistic similarities between the two ...
- 1,881
26
votes
3
answers
401
views
How can language learning techniques be compared for effectiveness?
It's common to ask whether X learning method is effective. A better question is "Is X more effective than Y?"
But how can such a determination even be done? Maybe X is better for vocabulary recall, ...
- 5,132
25
votes
3
answers
951
views
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 ...
- 5,318
25
votes
7
answers
1k
views
What approaches can I take to overcome 'leeches'?
It's not uncommon that I come across a leech while studying my Anki cards. Usually this is the result of confusing two similar items (vocabulary terms, IPA symbols, whatever).
Once I've identified ...
- 5,132
23
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Is doing a huge amount of grammar exercises helpful for learning English?
Some books that teach English come with pages and pages of grammar exercises. Are these helpful?
I see that a few exercises are helpful to help you understanding the grammar. However, after that, ...
- 1,861
23
votes
4
answers
722
views
How do I lose an accent in a foreign language?
Sometimes, an accent just doesn't go well with a language you are trying to speak. This means that the accent is probably going to go bye-bye. Except losing an accent is really hard. Gaining one is ...
- 5,318
23
votes
5
answers
2k
views
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 ...
- 1,195
23
votes
2
answers
258
views
What is the efficiency of the flipped classroom when teaching to beginners?
The flipped classroom concept started in the US and is gaining ground worldwide in secondary and primary education. The basic idea is that the learner is expected to learn the core of the lesson by ...
- 1,449
22
votes
4
answers
259
views
How can gamification improve language learning?
Take a look at Duolingo and Babbel. Both offer online language learning experiences with one major difference: Duolingo claims to be a more "gamified" experience, meaning that you lose some progress ...
- 9,107
21
votes
3
answers
278
views
Tips on raising bilingual children
My wife and I have been discussing how our kids (whenever that may happen) will properly learn both her native language (Russian) and mine (English) while likely growing up in the US or the UK, ...
- 319
21
votes
4
answers
314
views
How can I help someone improve their listening comprehension?
A bit of background: My girlfriend is Taiwanese and will attend TesDaF (German test) in a week. She has been previously learning for about 8 months now while being in Germany. So far, all points (...
- 511
21
votes
4
answers
249
views
What strategies can I use to learn the gender of irregular nouns?
The problem
When a foreign language uses genders for nouns and pronouns, memorizing these genders is a difficult process.
Sometimes it is possible to follow rules or hints: 1; 2; 3. E.g.:
In French,...
- 354
21
votes
2
answers
990
views
Is SRS more effective than traditional study for vocabulary augmentation?
Spaced Repetition Software (SRS), such an Anki, has become somewhat popular in the language-learning realm for increasing one's vocabulary and similar reasons.
However, is there any evidence that ...
- 4,975
21
votes
3
answers
316
views
Can practicing vocabulary from L2 to the same L2 instead of from L2 to L1 be more effective for learning the vocabulary?
Can practicing vocabulary from a second language to the same second language instead of from a second language to your first language be more effective?
Example: Suppose I know German and I’m ...
- 1,861
21
votes
1
answer
298
views
How to practice speaking a language with no speakers?
How can I practice speaking, and hopefully eventually become fluent in, a language with no fluent speakers, either native or otherwise?
(I'm interested in the constructed language Glosa, but this ...
- 1,195
20
votes
4
answers
748
views
How to remember words and improve my vocabulary
When trying to learn a new language I keep forgetting words, especially the adjectives. I think the main problem is that I don't use them at all and so after a bit I forget all the words that I don't ...
- 373
20
votes
3
answers
478
views
How can I avoid confusion or interference when studying two similar languages?
For example, consider Tamil and Malayalam. They are two very similar languages with many similar words.
The point is I get confused by the minor differences as I cannot remember them. I usually ...
- 1,281
20
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How can watching movies help improve fluency and listening skill?
Poems, songs, and book are usually known to help with your listening skills and clearly, your fluency. With movies, it seems different to me for some reason. Movies have a lot of stuff going on with ...
- 5,318
20
votes
5
answers
2k
views
How can I expand my active vocabulary in a foreign language?
I’ve been learning a foreign language for 5 years. Now, I easily understand everything I read, I know lots of words and everything seems to be alright, but I still have a problem. My active vocabulary ...
- 317
20
votes
1
answer
2k
views
When learning a foreign language, should one focus on vocabulary or grammar first? [closed]
When I learned Spanish, I focused entirely on learning the grammar and conjugations before learning a plethora of vocabulary. As a result, I was able to speak properly given what I knew, but I often ...
- 1,162
19
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Does dreaming in the target language speed up the learning process?
If so, is there a way to "learn" how to dream in another language? For example would thinking in 'language X' for one hour before going to bed help? Or does dreaming in another language only occur ...
- 679
19
votes
3
answers
1k
views
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 ...
- 309
19
votes
4
answers
359
views
How can you verify your grammar during self-study?
This similar question regarding pronunciation made me think about verifying other aspects of language when you do not have access to a native speaker frequently or at all.
I have many self-...
- 1,881
18
votes
6
answers
8k
views
What are the benefits or drawbacks of learning poetry?
What skills can be improved by learning by heart poems in the target language? Won't this inhibit the learning process as poems sometimes disobey common grammar rules?
- 1,326
18
votes
4
answers
583
views
Positive vs. negative reinforcement in Duolingo
I've run into a problem that I imagine most Duolingo users have run into at some point in their language learning experience.
Assume I'm in the process of reviewing already learned vocabulary (as ...
- 9,107
18
votes
2
answers
4k
views
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 ...
- 5,318
18
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What are effective ways to memorize sign languages?
I've learned spoken languages by writing words down, hearing them and remembering them, and working on websites.
However, I don't see that helping if I learn a sign language. None of those techniques ...
- 1,162
18
votes
1
answer
320
views
What makes a language propaedeutic?
Learning any language helps learning another language after faster. This propaedeutic value is found in all language, but is more noticeable for some languages and combinations. For exemple, for ...
- 1,070
18
votes
1
answer
163
views
Are there studies showing that language study is more effective in a group than individually?
Often, it's claimed that in a group, you have people to practice verbal exercises with, as well as potential proofreaders and error-checkers to verify the grammar and spelling of your work. However, I'...
- 9,107
17
votes
3
answers
790
views
Pros and cons of reading the same book in each language I learn
One of my language learning strategies is to read the same book in every language I learn (in my case, the Book of Mormon). I know this book quite well, having read it several times in English and in ...
- 1,701
17
votes
4
answers
167
views
Is it better to use different study methods for different languages?
Are there any studies done to see if the same learning methods can provide different results depending on the language being learnt? Are there certain methods that have been proved better for certain ...
- 311
17
votes
1
answer
784
views
How can I develop an accent in a foreign language?
I have been teaching myself Italian for 2 years so far, and I still sound very foreign. When I am speaking Italian with someone else, it is difficult to imitate their accent properly, and when I try, ...
- 1,162
16
votes
7
answers
15k
views
What are the advantages of a paper dictionary over an online dictionary?
It has been a while now since I opened a paper dictionary to translate words from a language to another. I still have two paper dictionaries at home: one for English-French translations and one for ...
- 345
16
votes
3
answers
415
views
How can I stop/prevent conversations from switching to English?
I've oft experienced (and heard stories about) conversation participants switching to English when noting some lack of fluidity in the target language. In a similar vein, I've heard anecdotally of ...
- 425
16
votes
2
answers
182
views
Learn language learning techniques in school before starting to learn foreign languages?
In countries where the main language is not a world language, students often learn foreign languages in school. However, students are not taught about how to learn a language effectively.
Has any ...
- 1,861
16
votes
1
answer
176
views
What are the advantages of the Image Recall Technique over other traditional classroom learning methods?
I found an article on the Omniglot website that states that the Image Recall technique is a good method to learn a new language. It also states that software like Rosetta Stone use this technique.
...
- 1,281
15
votes
4
answers
271
views
Ups and Downs of learning from non-native speaker rather than native speaker
Usually, people will learn from someone that is fluent in that language and is a native speaker, allowing them to learn from those to truly know the language. Others, though, learn from non-native ...
- 5,318
15
votes
4
answers
611
views
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 ...
- 261
14
votes
3
answers
285
views
How can I strengthen vocabulary knowledge of words learned with flash cards?
I've used flash cards a lot to learn Korean words, and it doesn't take long to memorize words well enough that I can recall them very quickly. It's especially easy to go from English to Korean - I ...
- 1,817
14
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Would ASMR improve language learning?
I find ASMR (Autonomous sensory meridian response) interesting, and I sometimes use it to relax at night. Now I am wondering if the "sensation" that ASMR provides can be beneficial to memory retention....
- 679
14
votes
3
answers
913
views
Learning a language, for someone who can't stand flash cards
I can't stand memorizing words. I've found that the best way to memorize vocabulary is using (digital) flash cards, however I find studying flash cards to be one of the most mind-numbing and ...
- 143
14
votes
2
answers
110
views
How can I differentiate similar characters in languages with large character sets?
Some character sets have very similar characters that are hard to tell apart while studying, near impossible at a later date.
For example, there's a lot of Japanese kanji, and they consist of ...
- 968