Learning how to learn

As students, human beings question whether what they are learning is sufficient or not to achieve their goals and how to improve to get the most out of their studies.

Learning a new language does not mean speaking fluently, but expressing yourself naturally, feeling at ease in the presence of foreigners, watching films and news on TV, debating, defending your point of view, that is, acting like a human being in society, also knowing customs and cultures.

In modern linguistics, we call it natural assimilation — it is the same process children do when learning their mother tongue. The ears are used more than the eyes and each one develops his learning rhythm.

We always hear that it is by making mistakes that you learn. This is one of the ways to learn since we correct ourselves so as not to repeat the error. But, the question is: Do we also learn by asking questions? Certainly. By asking questions, people can develop, they are chasing their ideals, being persistent, interacting. A well-asked question can help us organize information, evaluate our ideas, and create new ones. The apprentice will become not only the spectator but also the protagonist. Since we were born, we are in constant learning. According to researches, a 4-year-old asks an average of 437 questions a day. The child is not afraid to make mistakes, much less to learn. This phase should not be limited to childhood. It should be used mainly in our studies. The more information we get, the more chances we will have to differentiate ourselves from the rest.

So, in your next class, remember that there is no better way to learn than by doing; so, ask a question!