Questions tagged [informal-learning]

Questions related to any form of learning that is not formal learning: learning that is not intentional from the learner's point of view, e.g. through socialisation, inculturation or play.

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3 votes
2 answers
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Learning a language without studying grammar

I'm more or less capable of explaining my thoughts in English and I've recently started learning Spanish. Of course, there's a bunch of various articles/videos/posts on how to do it. But one thing I ...
MGMKLML's user avatar
  • 31
1 vote
0 answers
25 views

Can we define a Process describing the way we discover and learn new words in our mother tongue?

Can we define a Process describing the way we discover and learn new words in our mother tongue? This could apply to a child who is learning to speak as well to an adult. Consider that you discover a ...
Mathilde Veron's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
62 views

Can a baby learn a new language by interacting with a foreign language speaker over skype?

A friend who took a linguistics class in college once told me that an infant can't learn a new language by sitting in front of a TV program because the TV program doesn't react to their facial ...
user1583016's user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
4k views

Is it possible to learn a language without translation?

Let's assume I have no knowledge in a language I want to learn. I know only some basic alphabet, but don't know any words. Is it possible to learn a language just by watching videos and reading books ...
linozase's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
228 views

How to get most language learning benefits from frequent casual conversations with natives?

I know several languages on various levels: Polish native English C1-C2 German B2-C1 Russian B1 Spanish B1 I have tons of opportunities to speak to natives: English - quite a few people at work (...
virtuallight's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
123 views

How to start recognizing tones and accents?

I would like to start recognizing tones, accents and stresses in languages I already know. Are there efficient ways to do this? For a little more background : I have recently become aware of the ...
F.X.'s user avatar
  • 183
8 votes
1 answer
161 views

How can I sound more 'native'?

I'm fluent in French and Russian - by which I mean that I don't have any trouble reading novels and can easily converse in either without making grammatical errors or feeling uncomfortable - and have ...
DividedByZero's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
162 views

Can comprehension happen before meaning?

I'm trying to find the right terminology to describe the learning process that might be happening when a language learner goes from comprehension to meaning, rather than the other way around. Imagine ...
A5C1D2H2I1M1N2O1R2T1's user avatar
13 votes
4 answers
193 views

Benefits of reading texts one does not understand well

My Danish skills are at the level where I can usually puzzle out the meaning of a newspaper article, even though I won't understand most specialized words. I took a quick look at some pages of a ...
Tommi's user avatar
  • 3,425
5 votes
1 answer
5k views

How did Celine Dion learn to sing in perfect English?

Celine Dion is from Quebec, a predominantly French-speaking province in Canada. English is not her native language, yet in her songs her English is perfect. Is this because she grew up speaking the ...
Undefined Variable's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
54 views

Take Spanish 3 (university level) or start self-studying?

I only have 2-3 "free" classes (not major-related) able to take before I graduate, and I want to learn both Spanish and Japanese. I'm taking Japanese 1 & Spanish 3 in the fall, but with such a ...
Madeline Collins's user avatar
28 votes
8 answers
6k views

Can one become fluent in a language without studying it formally?

I ask myself if it's possible become fluent in a language without studying it. When you are 1/2 years old, you learn a language without studying it. You need just to listen and listen. So, is it ...
Skxrda's user avatar
  • 391
20 votes
4 answers
482 views

Is it possible to learn a language just by being exposed to media and books? [closed]

Say I want to learn to speak Chinese. Could it be possible to learn Chinese just by watching subtitled Chinese movies/tv and reading books made for children?
Grizzly0111's user avatar