There's a whole jungle of language courses out there. If you want to learn a new language, you have to know which kind of course suits you so that you don't end up spending money on courses which don't help you. And believe me, language learning resources can be quite expensive.
On Monday, I posted about how to find out which type of language learner you are. The right language course for you strongly depends on your type of learning, so if you haven't already found out about it, I recommend you should.
Advice for Written Focus Learners
Language learners with a written focus (like myself, btw) like to figure out things on their own. They need a good course book, excercises and grammar explanations, and a dictionary, but not necessarily a teacher.
How to find a good course book and grammar book?
When you look for a good course book, look inside. Have a look at the first chapter to make sure you understand the explanations and the general set-up of the book. Then have a look at a chapter farther into the book to find out if the book is in-depth enough for you, and whether it advances too fast or too slow. Make sure it contains the solutions for any excercises as well.
As for a grammar book, you definitely have to look inside as well. Read the content page to find out if all the topics you need are included. Then have a look at certain topics like verb tenses and prepositions to see how well and comprehensive they are explained. Does the grammar book contain examples? Does it even contain excercises?
Advice for Oral Focus Learners
Language learners with an oral focus often learn best in groups. They need to listen to and to speak the new language. Therefore, a language course at a public school or with a private teacher generally suits those learners best.
How to find a good course or a good teacher?
One rule says: The more students per course, the less teacher time per student. An ideal language course shouldn't have more than five or six students so that the teacher has enough time to focus on each student's problems. Furthermore, the teacher should have experience in teaching. It isn't enough to have a degree in teaching (and some great teachers have no degree at all). Ask for his references concerning his teaching and language skills.
Most language teachers work with a certain course book. Ask in advance which one is used and have a look at it. Does it have group excercises and role plays? Are the texts spoken on a CD? Does it seem interesting and are the chapters well structured?
No matter which learner type you are and which course you choose in the end, you have to feel comfortable with it. Otherwise, you will always associate the language with negative feelings like boredom or frustration.
Language ... the bridge of communication, the magic creator of worlds, the brush and paint of authors. Language is magic. It gives us power. It is something you just have to love.
Showing posts with label written focus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label written focus. Show all posts
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Monday, 10 January 2011
Language Courses: Which Type of Learner are you?
Before you can choose the right language course for you, you have to know how you learn best. Here are some questions for you to find out what type of learner you are:
If you have answered questions 1 and 3 with yes, then you seem to be an orally focused learner. If you have answered questions 2 and 4 with yes, then you're probably a learner focused on the written word. Should your positive answers belong to both categories, you are a mixed type.
Oral Focus
Now what does it mean to have an oral focus? Your strengths are listening comprehension and the courage to just talk away even though you know you will most likely make mistakes. You are rather extrovert and like doing group exercises and little role plays when learning a language. You need someone to guide you through language acquisition, someone you can turn to for explanations.
Written Focus
Learners with a focus on the written word tend to be introvert. They are usually well at logical thinking and are able to figure out highly complicated problems if they are interested. If your focus is on the written word, then you don't like role plays very much, and you feel uncomfortable talking in your second language with others because you are afraid of making mistakes.
Of course, there are many people out there who are a mixture of both types. A true written or oral type is rare, yet if you know which one is stronger within you, you can plan your language learning accordingly.
Watch out for Wednesday's post about how to find the right language course for you!
- Do you like being the center of attention?
- Do you like figuring out difficult problems on your own?
- Do you rather watch TV than read a book?
- Do you have problems understanding others when they talk in your second language?
If you have answered questions 1 and 3 with yes, then you seem to be an orally focused learner. If you have answered questions 2 and 4 with yes, then you're probably a learner focused on the written word. Should your positive answers belong to both categories, you are a mixed type.
Oral Focus
Now what does it mean to have an oral focus? Your strengths are listening comprehension and the courage to just talk away even though you know you will most likely make mistakes. You are rather extrovert and like doing group exercises and little role plays when learning a language. You need someone to guide you through language acquisition, someone you can turn to for explanations.
Written Focus
Learners with a focus on the written word tend to be introvert. They are usually well at logical thinking and are able to figure out highly complicated problems if they are interested. If your focus is on the written word, then you don't like role plays very much, and you feel uncomfortable talking in your second language with others because you are afraid of making mistakes.
Of course, there are many people out there who are a mixture of both types. A true written or oral type is rare, yet if you know which one is stronger within you, you can plan your language learning accordingly.
Watch out for Wednesday's post about how to find the right language course for you!
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