Four Steps of Learning a Foreign Language The efforts spent in high school learning a foreign language were almost futile. Fortu

Four Steps of Learning a Foreign Language
Good morning, everyone. Today, we are going to talk about an important topic among college students: how to learn a foreign language fast and free. There is one thing that always amazes the new round of college freshman—the fact that the years they spent studying a foreign language in high school was essentially worthless. They learned nothing. What is the point of spending years studying a language if in the end you know the amount of a beginner? There has to be a better way to learn. Luckily, with the Internet and all the resources available, it is very possible to learn a language, quite fluently, for free without traveling to that land.
[1]The problem with most formal language class is the insistent mix of conversation, grammar, and vocabulary all mixed together. This method considerably slows a person down. Think of it, for a moment, as someone who is obese, which would work faster: 1)dieting and dropping the fat pounds, then eating larger amounts and exercising to put on muscle, or 2)trying to lose the fat while simultaneously putting on muscle? The first is the better choice, as dieting requires less food and putting on muscle requires more—you need to start somewhere. The same principle applies to learning a foreign language fast—the brain needs a foothold, somewhere to get a strong grip and begin the work. This method I’m going to outline works, and it works weU.[2]/[3]It requires, ideally, one hour minimum of studying per day, a notebook, an Internet connection, and preferably an mp3 player or iPod.
[4]The four steps should be followed in order—the steps listed are the way the brain learns best. Trying to do one step before the other will slow the learning process down.
Step 1: Alphabet and Pronunciation.[5]The brain, first and foremost wants to be able to pronounce what it sees. Even if you don’t know what the word means, the brain is satisfied if it can pronounce the word. When you first saw a word, what did you think first? The pronunciation or the meaning? The pronunciation.[6]To learn the proper way to pronounce the alphabet and how to transliterate it, if using foreign letters, do a Google search for audio files. You will be able to find these on any language. You can listen to them with computer speakers, or you can download them to an mp3 player.[7]Either way, it is best to listen to them with head-phones on, so you can hear the nuances of the speech.[8]Repeat each sound, and continue to memorize until you have it all learned. Ideally, this should take you no more than one week.
Step 2: Vocabulary.[9]The very next thing that the brain wants is vocabulary—words are the most basic form of communication. It’s the same way with children—drink, potty, and hungry are all basic words that convey a meaning. This is the most basic form of communication.[9]Each language has ap-prox. 2,000 words that are the most used in everyday conversation, and these are the ones you will need to learn. The rest of your vocabulary can be expanded overtime with literature and movies in that language. Try to obtain a list of the most common words in the language you are learning by running a Google search. If you cannot locate one, then obtain a dictionary and pick out all the words you use every day—particles, nouns, verbs, etc. Make flash cards, download a flash card program, or makes flash cards for your mp3 player if it has picture capabilities.[10]Memorize the words thoroughly, until you can say them on command, at anytime, without thinking about it. You should be able to look at a page full of these words and readily understand them without even thinking about it. You should be able to look at an object in a room and says its name with the language you are learning without hesitation. If you can do this, then you are ready to move on.[11]Learning these words should take approx. one month, assuming you work on them diligently and try to learn 50-100 words every day.
Step 3: Grammar. Only after you have a good foothold on pronunciation and a large vocabulary should you begin with grammar. It is so much simpler to work at deciphering a text when you understand all the words. This will allow you to pick up on the structure habits and differences in word order and phrases.[12]Search online for a grammar manual, or a collection of lessons.[13]Once you have found one, study all the basics—conjugations, word order, and exceptions to the basic rules. Once you have a grasp of the conjugations possible and the word order, proceed to step 4. Step 3 should take approx one month if studied for an hour or two every day.
Step 4: Reading and Listening. The final step is perhaps the most difficult and rewarding. In this step, you will begin to work on your reading level and listening comprehension. This is time-consuming at first, but progresses the level of understanding quickly.[14]Search online for short stories, children’s stories, or novels in the language you are learning. Work at deciphering these. Transcribing them into your language is the best way to learn quickly. A dictionary will be needed for a while, but will help you expand your vocabulary quickly. At the same time, you need to learn the listening comprehension and casual pronunciation. This can also be done online, and this is where an mp3 player or iPod will come in handy. Download podcasts in that language, download movies and television shows in that language, and watch online videos in that language. Most DVDs have multiple languages, also.[15]Try to write down what they are saying. This will force you to pay attention. After a month of listening, you should be able to discern the words easier. Practice pronouncing words like natives.
That’s it! After going through each step, simply continue to write novels in that language, and to watch movies in that language, and try to set up video pen pals to speak in that language. With enough practice, I am sure you will be able to speak the language on a higher level in 6 months than you could with 3 years of formal classes.