What is the best method to learn a foreign language?
updated the 13 June 2014 à 23:39Nope, not all methods are equal. We explain why, and give you some tips to facilitate your learning.
All studies confirm that the adults’ difficulty in memorising is not due to age or memory impairment, but rather due to working with themselves and their modes of learning. In her survey for the University of Linguistics in Grenoble entitled “Learning foreign languages after 50 years,” Viggiani Simona shows and proves that the course topics, the text used, the dynamics of the group, and behaviour of the teacher are all actually involved in motivation.
Why? Because “we know today that emotional factors play a major role in memory skills. It is therefore important, when you want to learn a language as an adult and when there is a negative perception of your own abilities, to work in an atmosphere favourable to the storage and retrieval of information”. Hence the importance of knocking on the right door. How to recognize a good teacher? In forums, students give an excellent breakdown of this – a motivating teacher is one who takes account of the “learner” by focusing on his personality, experience, past learning experiences…
Should we thus sign ourselves up for a particular course? Not necessarily. Everything is a matter of time and budget. Some find municipal associations or group lessons suits them. Others prefer to go through an institute (starting on average at USD20 per hour). Many also opt for courses which involve face-to-face conversation, while others prefer it the phone. For its part, the Internet has revolutionized language learning through interactive programs. The one thing to remember: whatever your choice, do not hesitate to change up your contacts or your method of learning if you feel stuck after a few weeks. To improve, relax and be daring, there is no equivalent when it comes to the quality of the student-teacher relationship.
Read the rest of our report:
Learning foreign languages: Is it harder after 40?
Speaking a foreign language: Is it a gift?
Should we spend time learning a foreign language?
Learning foreign languages: Your stories
Stphanie Torre
