Languages
Language Learning Myths
Urban Language Learning Myths
There are a host of commonly held misconceptions about the best way to learn a language. Here are some of the most misleading ones:
1. If you listen to a language often enough, you will acquire it by osmosis.
Effective language learning involves a variety of different types of usage, reading, writing and speaking. Listening will help accent and pronunciation but research has proven that it is insufficient, by itself, as a way of acquiring overall language knowledge and fluency.
2. Languages are merely a collection of words, which can be committed to memory.
Of course it is important to amass a vocabulary of the words that are the most often used but language isn't just words, it's also grammar, syntax and idiom. Language is about the way we use words in combinations, phrases, expressions and sentences.
3. Languages, in general, are made up of about 100 of the most commonly used everyday words.
The truth is that many of the most commonly used are extremely basic: 'a', 'an', 'the', 'it', 'and'. Some of the most important of these, 'article' words ('a' and 'the') for example, do not even appear in languages such as Russian and Finnish.
4. Exclusive tuition by a native speaker is always best
Provided that the native speaker is qualified and experienced, this is certainly true and is the reason that at Conversation Piece, the great majority of our teacher/trainers are in this category.
5. The quickest way to learn a language is to live in the particular country.
Having to function and communicate in a country is often a huge motivator in learning a language and is a highly effective method for those with the time and the freedom to follow this course of action. However, having a language teacher who is a native speaker is the best substitute in terms of realism and a feeling for the culture.
The acquisition of a new language is an exciting and rewarding process, but it does require commitment and application. If you are already a language student, discuss ideas and approaches with your language teacher. If you are a parent, a good, clearly-designed grammatical guide is a good investment to complement their studies. And if you are about to begin learning a new language, regardless of course or approach, enjoy the experience and have fun!
