Have you ever been to a place where you didn’t know the language?
Have you ever wanted to learn a language, but thought the process is too difficult, or takes too long?
Sometimes it seems as if there are as many language learning methods as there are language learners, or conversely that there is only “One True Way” to learn a language.
The reality lies somewhere in the middle.
Let’s examine the 5 ways people generally learn languages.
The vocabulary-based approach stresses repetition.
The major players:
Rosetta Stone and similar language-learning software.
The method:
This method of learning claims to emulate the way we learned language as children – by associating words in the target language (the language you want to learn) with pictures or the objects they represent. Think, for example, of a three-year-old with a “see-and-say.”
It stresses vocabulary acquisition by presenting the user with vocabulary words and associated pictures, and encouraging repetition of that vocabulary. Grammar rules are not generally taught as such, but are picked up by osmosis.
The advantages:
Vocabulary acquisition is generally rapid, at least at first. Pictures help visual learners memorize the vocabulary. Repetition is stressed.
The disadvantages:
Vocabulary taught is oftentimes not useful for travelers. Leaves students prone to Tarzan Disease (“Me Tarzan, you…”) because of the lack of emphasis on grammar.
Double translation will have you befriending your dictionary.
The major players:
Just about anyone who learned a language before 1900.
The method:
Step 1: Acquire a book in the target language.
Step 2: Acquire an English-target language dictionary.
Step 3: Use the dictionary to decipher the book. Write down your translation.
Step 4: Use the dictionary to translate your translation back into the target language. (Hence the term “double translation.”)
Step 5: Check the re-translated translation against the original book, rinse, repeat.
The advantages:
Useful for languages (e.g. Latin) that the student is only ever going to read, not speak. Introduces student to real texts in the target language.
The disadvantages:
Very difficult and ponderous way to learn. Doesn’t teach listening, speaking, or writing. Reliant on the accuracy of the student’s dictionary.
The grammar-based approach requires diligence.
The major players:
Most “teach yourself” books. Older textbooks.
The method:
These books combine a small amount of vocabulary at the beginning of the lesson with a heaping dose of grammar rules, which must be memorized. The vocabulary is re-combined in several different ways to highlight the grammar points.
Subsequent lessons build on the vocabulary learned in previous lessons and introduce new grammar. Emphasis is placed on reading and writing in the target language.
The advantages:
Once the rules of grammar are learned, it becomes quite easy to integrate and correctly use new vocabulary.
The disadvantages:
Requires lots of rote memorization of grammar rules. Can be frustrating, especially at first. Student is left with very little vocabulary that he or she can begin using straight away.
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