Teach yourself English
Navegando por la red encontramos esta colección de audios titulada “teach yourself a foreign language”. El episodio 6 ( nos pareció interesante porque dan una serie de consejos, algunos muy innovadores, para aprender una lengua de manera autónoma. Para practicar la compresión auditiva os proponemos que la escuchéis atentamente. Os hemos preparado un resumen de los principales consejos que dan….Por cierto, no os preocupéis si no escucháis el consejo 17 (el locutor se lo salta).
1. Acquire an ear for the language: Just listen to the target language without attempting to speak it.
2. Develop a deep desire to learn a language
3. Use time for language learning that’s ordinarily wasted
4. Think in terms of phrases and not individual words.
5. Use your imagination: visual images can help you remember words
6. Invent stories using as much of your new vocabulary as possible.
7. Listen to internet radio broadcast and podcast as much as possible
8. Watch videos in English
9. Utilize the BBC for broadcasts and lessons in the target language
10. Utilize flashcards, small notebooks to review vocabulary words or phrases
11. Invent funny or silly pneumonic phrases to help you remember new words or concepts.
12. Use a bilingual dictionary often not to just look up specific words but browse through it.
13. Draw columns on paper, words on your native language on the right and target language or languages on the left.
14. Write a simple children’s book in your target language.
15. Learn the past tense before learning the present tense and save the future tense for last.
16. Practice unfamiliar sounds of your target language in the shower or in the car.
18. Use computer programs and free online dictionaries.
19. Hand-held electronic dictionaries can save you time.
20. When reading, read more slowly and deliberately than you do in your target language. Later, as you progress, your speed will increase to normal levels.
21. Read bilingual books or books in the target language that you’re already familiar with in your native language.
22. Read comic and cartoons in your target language.
23. Speak to as many native speakers as you can and don’t be afraid to make a mistake.
24. Read your grammar books.
25. Think in your target language.
26. Put stickers on everyday items until you’ve learned their names.
27. Take an occasional brake or day or two off to let your mind sort out your new vocabulary words.
Great advice!
I recommend creating mini conversations in different situations in your mind while you’re walking down the street or travelling on the bus. When you find difficulties expressing yourself in the given context you identify your weak areas, whether it be vocab or structures that you need and at the same time you improve your fluency and making the most of your valueable time.