Languages — I want to want you

Have you noticed how different languages ​​are part of our daily lives? When we dance or watch a ballet performance we use French, when we have a coffee and croissant at a cafe, we are practicing our French too.

By mastering other languages, we have the possibility to keep in touch with different peoples and cultures, expand research sources, and make friends abroad. In addition, knowing other languages is essential to obtain better positions in the job market. Nowadays, it is not enough to know English. When defining a candidate for a specific job position in the selection process, a second or third language serves as a decisive tiebreaker.

Even with different techniques and methodologies, some students still have learning difficulties. Here are brief explanations of my research and linguistic studies, pointing out aspects that influence learning, determining their differences and difficulties:

Linguistic Aspects: when there is a similarity between the language learned and the mother tongue: an example is the ease of the Germans, the Dutch, and the difficulty of the Chinese and Japanese to learn the English language.

Psychological Aspects: cause negative impacts on learning: the student who becomes a perfectionist, does not admit to making mistakes, prefers not to take the risk and then, omits in the classroom; other students, lack of self-confidence due to traumas caused during the education received or else radicalization of what is right or wrong; self-awareness is also a factor that greatly hinders the student’s development, always worrying about what others will think about them; the anxiety caused by the expectation of obtaining results, most of the times only positive.

Speech-language aspects: as language is an oral phenomenon, a speech-language assessment can predetermine difficulties and facilities for language learning.

Demotivation: a not motivated student has no decisive strength to achieve goals.

Lack of dedication: the student’s learning not only depends on the teacher’s explanation in the classroom but also on the time the student studies outside it. The greater the contact with the foreign language, the greater the degree of assimilation.

One of the biggest problems that students face is the fear of making mistakes. First, it is essential that an atmosphere of friendship develops in the classroom, being free to speak, sing, ask, etc. In this way, they get used to dealing with all situations and even having fun with them. One of my biggest goals in the classroom is to consider individual differences, allowing students to develop at their own pace. Dedication and motivation to study are also essential. It must be borne in mind that studying is not a sacrifice and it must be clear that learning a foreign language also takes time.

There are some ways to make your learning more effective, so I will quote some that, from experience, I believe make a difference:

:: Develop the habit of “experiencing” the language in your daily activities: reading, watching movies, listening to music, singing, visualizing cell phone, and computer functions in the language studied.

:: Communicate with people who speak or are learning the language.

:: Be determined, commit to meeting goals and deadlines that you set. Don’t let “the lack of time” or “the hustle and bustle of everyday life” become a hindrance to your studies.

:: Always clarify your doubts with the teacher.

Find out what your difficulties are, practice new learning techniques and in a short time, you will get great results.