In a previous article entitled, “6 Ways You Can Develop New English Language Skills or Learn New Information”, we talked about several different ways to acquire new skills or develop foreign language proficiency. To continue the concept, here are three more great ways you can continue to learn and grow as a student, teacher or learner.
• Taking advice or suggestions from those who are successful at what we want
Often used for more “personal” types of abilities and skills, including language, we tend to highly value the advice of someone who is “good” at what we’re interested in. And why not? If they can do it, we think, “So can I:” So then, you do. Good language learners are frequently peer role models for other students not fairing so well.
• Reading and gathering as much information and knowledge as possible about it
To learn historical facts, assemble business data, or review current events, this is a preferred method. There are many other things we can learn this way too. Want to know more about the USA, England, Canada or Australia? Then read, online and off. This method is often used in combination with one or more of the others mentioned.
• Employing different combinations of the above methods
As mentioned earlier, common practice in many instances, is to employ two or more of these methods in tandem. This helps in reinforcing what we’re trying to learn as well as deepening our understanding and abilities in the topic area or skill. The more ways you “know” something, the faster and easier you are going to retain it. It’s also a great hedge against “forgetting” what we’ve learned. Vocabulary acquisition is an excellent example of this. Learners should use as many “senses” as possible to learn new lexis. Seeing, saying, miming, and writing the new vocabulary to root it deeply into their language processing systems. Use flash cards. Use music. Use rhythm, rhyme and mime to help you learn language. Anything goes and almost everything works to some degree.
When these three additional methods are added to the others discussed in a previous article, learners can be assured of a progressive, well-balanced approach to acquiring what ever new knowledge, English or other foreign language skills they that may have as their goal.
Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com