9
votes
Accepted
Learning language by singing songs?
There is plenty of research on this topic. The Use of Music for Learning Languages: A Review (Stansell) asserts that (emphasis mine):
The researchers in this literature review show conclusively ...
- 9,035
7
votes
Accepted
Can reading aloud be an alternative to practicing speaking skills with other people?
Definitely not.
While reading aloud definitely does help you practice pronunciation, it is not an alternative to having a real conversation. Here's why:
You're simply reading words off a page, ...
- 9,035
7
votes
Accepted
What are effective ways to gain speaking comprehension without the help of a partner in non-english speaking countries?
You can learn from all kinds of audio learning materials, basically. If you want to achieve high proficiency level in the language you will need to have a conversation partner at some point, but it is ...
- 2,294
7
votes
Accepted
Why can't I think of anything to say when someone asks how many languages I can speak?
Unlike subjects such as chemistry, history or linguistics, language as such does not have a specific focus or topic. You can use it to speak about anything, or at least anything that is within the ...
- 19.8k
7
votes
How to improve my English skills while using it daily with people who are not proficient in using it, without absorbing their mistakes?
I have some experience with the struggle you are describing in your post.
My boyfriend with whom I am living is not from an English speaking country, nor am I. As I am not yet proficient in his mother ...
- 191
6
votes
Accepted
How important are tones in tonal languages?
I'm Thai and living in Bangkok, so I'll answer specifically for Thai language.
How important are correct tones to understanding a whole sentence
(words in context) in tonal language?
If I use ...
- 76
6
votes
How to speak faster
I struggle with the same issue while learning Spanish. My ability to listen and understand is much higher than my ability to speak.
I use the following to improve:
Exercise your conversation. Try ...
- 161
6
votes
Accepted
Learning Hindi as a speaker without first learning the writing system
Not what you want to hear, but I don't think you'll find a good learning tool that doesn't require you to learn the script. I'm not a Hindi learner but I have quite a bit of experience learning other ...
- 111
5
votes
How can I speak in impromptu situations without organizing my thoughts beforehand but still communicate properly?
This is an area that linguists call communicative strategies (or communication strategies). There are several strategies that you can use:
Circumlocution: using different words or phrases to express ...
- 19.8k
5
votes
How can I avoid mixing two or more languages when I speak?
Practice, practice, practice.
I met some polyglots at the Polyglot Gathering in Berlin and a lot of them are simply very strict with themselves. One that I met usually has tandem meetings where he ...
- 960
5
votes
Research papers on improving speaking fluency?
Here are several references to get you started:
How Long Does It Take English Learners To Attain Proficiency?
Investigating Fluency in EFL: A Quantitative Approach
Oral Skill Development in Second ...
- 5,115
5
votes
Is thinking speech just in brain less effective than speaking aloud, to improve speaking skills?
Speaking in your head is better than nothing, but speaking out loud is better. The reason speaking out loud is better is because you train your mouth to make the sounds of the new language. Your mouth ...
- 5,115
5
votes
Accepted
Can passive speakers of a language gain native level fluency when learning it in their teens?
There is no reason to think that a Passive Bilingual/Speaker can't become a fluent speaker. In fact, they should have an easier time than someone who is learning the language from scratch.
The main ...
- 5,115
5
votes
The "gaps" between words in English
I'm not a phonetician, but my understanding is that pretty much no language has physical "gaps" in the sense of actual periods of silence between subsequent words. (I think that this would ...
- 263
5
votes
Does memorizing French verb conjugations with the sound of English characters have negative impact in the future?
I would strongly recommend learning the correct pronunciation from the start instead of a pronunciation based on a different language, for several reasons:
You will later need to invest time and ...
- 19.8k
5
votes
Which spoken Arabic dialect is the most understandable across the entire Arabic-speaking population?
There are a few dialects that are well understood in most Arabic speaking countries, Egyptian is not the only one. There is also the Syrian dialect (Lebanese and Jordanian are so close/similar).
...
5
votes
Accepted
How can one find a conversation partner for a language that is scarce on language exchange websites?
Balance between native speakers of any language and speakers of other languages interested to learn this language is ... very unbalanced :-)
For an English L1 speaker learning most other languages, ...
4
votes
Why can't I think of anything to say when someone asks how many languages I can speak?
Because the phrase "to speak a language" is vague. It can vary from an ability for a small talk "about the weather" or negotiate in a local market and end up with an ability to participate a ...
- 1,405
4
votes
How to speak faster
Try carrying on a running commentary in your mind, or even in a quiet voice, as you walk along the street or do shopping, study road conditions, plan your evening's activities, etc. As you acquire ...
- 41
4
votes
Accepted
Why can't I remember words?
According to Memrise, you have 1100 words in your long-term memory, but according to your experience, it doesn't sound like you have 1100 words in your active vocabulary. Your 1100 words (or so) are ...
- 4,927
4
votes
Can reading aloud be an alternative to practicing speaking skills with other people?
Just speaking from my personal experience, I find it absolutely helpful to read aloud consistently for a sustained period of time every day (e.g. half a year). I improved my English and Spanish a lot ...
- 201
4
votes
Accepted
What should I focus on if I only have 10-20 minutes a day, with speaking practice once a week?
There are many things you can do, but you'll need to schedule your time carefully.
With regard to resources, it will be useful to get a textbook to get started, e.g. Afan Oromo: A Guide to Speaking ...
- 19.8k
4
votes
Learning language by singing songs?
I am not familiar with any research, but I did teach Spanish using current popular songs in Spanish and used them as dictations. I would print the lyrics and place a blank where some words were. I ...
- 264
4
votes
Accepted
Is it possible to archive L2 speaking skills as good as the native speakers?
To answer your question, I feel the second question must be answered first. L2 learners must be continually learning the L2 because native speakers are continually learning their own language if we ...
- 146
4
votes
How to use a speaking partner?
I would offer there's a third type of speaking partner: a paid tutor who is untrained (i.e. not a professional teacher).
A professional tutor will most likely have materials prepared ahead of time. ...
- 226
4
votes
How can I learn to speak in SOV when my L1 is SVO?
It will be very difficult if you try to translate in your head before speaking. If you can skip that step, it will be easier. Rather than memorize lists of vocabulary and grammar rules, try to ...
- 993
3
votes
How important are tones in tonal languages?
I speak both Mandarin and Cantonese, and I can tell you tones are pretty important, because it is like singing, if you sing on the wrong tone, sometimes we might be able to guess what you sing, but it ...
- 131
3
votes
Using he/she when speaking quickly
I have a Persian-speaking friend, and he has the same issue, because Persian only has a neutral 3rd person singular pronoun. He still makes the mistake occasionally, but in the end it's just practice, ...
- 5,115
3
votes
Accepted
How to learn the building of sentences?
Surely the most natural technique is just to copy native speakers. Hear what they say and recreate that sentence using the same syntax
E.g.
Yesterday, I ate some sushi
Which has a basic structure of: ...
- 136
3
votes
Should I correct my grammar mistakes or just ignore them while practice speaking?
Even native speakers correct themselves when speaking.
If you say (in English or French for that matter), "when I study x" you are not saying "when I studied x". So, if your sentence is supposed to ...
- 257
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