Courseless: Getting the Most Out Of Your Dictionary

From Wörterbuch CH

It’s no surprise that the bilingual dictionary continues to be the cornerstone of language learning, in that appears to be an almost limitless resource for aspiring bilinguals and polyglots. Although a somewhat stale resource, a pocket dictionary may include 20,000 words – double the fluency word count. However, it’s often the case that the
student will learn and use the wrong word, despite using the dictionary.

Here are three tips to prevent making awkward mistakes:

4 Tips to Start Speaking Your Second Language

Speaking is often the most difficult aspect of language learning – and it isn't always because of speech anxiety. Simultaneously producing the correct conjugations and declensions (i.e.. case systems) can be frustrating. However, there are ways to improve outside of speaking with a partner.

Courseless: Immersion through Integration

How I use Habit RPG for Language Immersion

Popular language-learning software like Rosetta Stone market their immersion technique to draw in the casual learner. Immersion is the reason people study abroad. But what about when you want to practice at home? What's the best way to immerse yourself in the target language?

The good news it's there's a plethora of paths to integrating language practice into your daily routine. Besides searching for local language clubs and pen pals, you can use anything you normally enjoy (or even things you may dislike!) to learn a language.

• Language Labels - This is a more passive technique. As I'm moving into a new dorm in a few weeks, I've started compiling a slideshow with images of every times - clothes, kitchenware, etc. Each slide features one item, and the word in my target language. If the gender or plurals aren't intuitive, I add them as well. Afterward, you can print them out using the 6-slides a page option. I'm planning to cut them out and stick them around my room (and if my roommates let me, the apartment...).

• Cooking - I've partially completed this technique. In Germany, I turned my grocery list into a vocabulary list. Because I was living in the country, I got a lot of practice with food. But if you're learning a language like Chinese or Arabic, you can always visit a specialty shop and read the labels there! The only thing I need to work on with this technique is using the verbs while I cook, Which is why summarizing a recipe you can use during the cooking process might help a lot!

Cards in the slideshow, and as a print out.

• Gaming - So, this one is exciting. I've used to Sims 3 in particular. It's more of a special treat I give myself, but it's all in Russian, so I get some practice anyway. When I play, I try to write down 10 words I don't know, and translate them after. Since the Sims 3 is real-life simulation, there's a lot of useful tidbits there! I've also used Civ IV for German, and I enjoy that as well.
  
  Another game that's worth mentioning is Habit RPG. A really good friend of mine sent me this article, which discusses how students have been using it to practice Japanese. Since I'm learning three languages, I've dividing the functions. Arabic is for the habitual, more elementary vocabulary: no soda, go to sleep early, etc. Russian has my daily tasks, which are also less complicated. German gets a nice seat at the To-Do list, which includes appointments, writing projects, and so forth - mostly because I have a larger vocabulary in this area. Rewards go to all three, and I try to give Russian and Arabic a bit more room here.
  
  I've also heard of Japanese learners using Minecraft, and that there's a ton of Russians on Dota 2. But I haven't really looked further into these topics.

• Reading, Writing and Film - All of these things are great ways to incorporate what you've learned. I feel like Film and TV are most used, partially because you can be somewhat passive. I enjoy reading a lot, especially because I can go at my own pace. Reading can also give you a sense of freedom, because the topics are endless.

Sims 3 по-русски!

My favorite resource is having a movie with subtitles in your target language, because then you can write down what you can't hear as well. Writing can also be fun, but it does feel a lot more like work. I usually write small snippets of fiction, but I've tried poetry too. It's a great way to exercise your creativity while reviewing some vocabulary.

The great thing about these options are that they are free, or relatively cheap - especially compared to traveling abroad or buying high-end flashcard software. And at the end of the day, rainy-day language activities may be just what you need start enjoying the language!

Courseless: Another Way to Learn

I was shocked by the German university system. Maybe it was just my institution in particular, but the set up was completely unfamiliar. American-styled syllabi were unheard of, none of my classes submitted attendance sheets, and homework was a purely recreational activity. The language classes faired only slightly better, but only my optional Russian course had a lecturer that corrected homework. So what does that mean for learning? Specifically, language learning.

The central university library in Marburg

Well, you can say goodbye to the excuse: "I can't learn a language". Really, you can say that for anything at this point.

Now, there are values to the German system. One in particular, is that it encourages self-motivation and self-studying. Without it, you might as well fail. When I taught myself up to intermediate German, I had imagined it was a big achievement, but the fact is, whole nations of people work this way within their university system. In Germany, with minimal materials - slides, handouts and notes from the professor or lecturer. And whatever else you can dig up, in my case.

Of course, with language there are four components: reading, listening, writing and speaking. The last two are what give people the most trouble, and it's useful to have help. But do you really need a course? What if you can't afford one? Or it doesn't fit in your hectic schedule of work, family, friends, perhaps more school (second job, etc)?

You don't necessarily need books....
even if they look amazing.......

With language, it's more than easy to find resources that allow to work around your daily routine. There's a plethora of language-exchange websites, local language meet-ups, digital flashcards, free online courses, and only vocabulary and grammar references. Deciding what to use is more difficult than learning!

Although sometimes, you don't have to chose. You can combine, mix and match, find out what works. If you want to do something, and I mean really want to, there isn't really an excuse as long as the net is open and free. 

This brings me to the root of the matter: my first project here, at the Fable Hotel, is to try out different methods for language learning and post the results! They may not follow the originals correctly, and of course, language learning is different for everyone - but another review doesn't hurt.