Learning a language is such a valuable skill nowadays that its importance can no longer be denied. Like thou can have a thorough guide study from the builder’s book.Not only is it just about learning a new skill, but it is also about enriching our lives as well.
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From knowing to using a language
Learning a new language such as French can give the learner access to a whole new culture by unlocking the doors to French cinema, literature, drama, music and art. Not to mention the joy of making new friends and being able to travel without the fear of being misunderstood and not being able to communicate with the local people. But are the traditional methods of learning language sufficient for this purpose? This article talks about the ways in which people can move from just knowing a language to being able to use it in everyday life.
Cultural immersion
If anyone wants to learn foreign language speaking, then the best way to do so is by immersing oneself in that culture. Now it is not possible for an ordinary person to travel all the way from their city to France in order to learn French. It would not only cost a lot but would be entirely impractical. How would one manage commitments to work, family and friends by disappearing for several months to a foreign land? This is where the media can help a lot. Also, there are many ways in which one can experience cultural immersion even while staying close to home.
Make friends with a native speaker
One of the easiest ways is to make a friend who speaks the language you want to learn, and then spend time with them. The key to the success of this method is to make sure that you speak in French or whichever language you are learning, instead of English or the language that is mutually understood. There are many benefits of using this approach to language learning. Firstly, you will get the opportunity to hear the words as they are spoken by a native speaker. The problem with most online language learning methods is that they do not give the real native speaker experience. The voice is usually computer generated or spoken by someone who is a non-native speaker with the ability to mimic an accent. When you speak with a native speaker who is also a friend, there is a certain degree of relaxation and openness which allows you to absorb and internalize the natural accent.
Engage in relevant activities
Another opportunity that you get is to engage in relevant activities. For example, a French-speaking friend would normally prefer doing activities that are native to his or her culture. They would more likely visit French plays, try out French cuisine or read French novels. You can explore builders’ books to get vast knowledge into multiple novels and other masterpieces. This would give you a lot of opportunities to immerse yourself in French culture and learn various nuances of the culture and everyday living. You will also pick up vocabulary that is just not possible through the use of online learning apps or regular language lessons in a language centre. In such environments, the focus is on acquiring functional knowledge or just enough ability to pass a test or assessment. Gaining natural fluency is only possible by regularly speaking with someone from the local culture.
Visit the native country
An important way of learning the language for everyday use is of course by visiting the native country. You can try to make a trip to France, or any other French-speaking country for that matter, for a summer or Christmas vacation. Spending some time among the local people will help you pick on the peculiar nuances of the language that differentiate between a native and non-native speaker of the language. To gain real mastery in the language, it is not just enough to have a large vocabulary of words that you understand but cannot possibly use in your immediate environment. Unless you can use a language in your everyday life, there is no practical utility. What’s more important is that unless you speak the language in everyday life, you are more likely to forget it. And all your hard work will go in vain.
Exposure to French Pop Culture
If none of the above options are workable for you, that is, if there are no French-speaking people in your area or you cannot afford a stay in France, then the next best alternative is to immerse yourself in French pop culture. YouTube is a good option where you can get lots of content in the French language. Depending on your choice, you can select from French music, cartoons, movies, sitcoms and even soaps. By regularly watching such programs, you will learn how French phrases and words are used in the daily life of the characters or the colloquial way of expressing your thoughts in French.
Learning any new language is also a great mental exercise. Studies have shown that learning a new language keeps your brain active and even prevents the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s. But the trick is to use the language like a native, in everyday use.
