What I Learned From Studying Abroad: Why Learning About Learning Is Important

When I first began my trek into the territory of second-language acquisition in 2008, I had never heard of project-based learning. Likewise, there was no Fluent in 3 Months. At least at the time, my only point of reference to education was a classroom-based curriculum, with the exception of threads on community forums. My ignorance isn't surprising - missing-out on middle-school science fairs and being swamped with AP busywork, knowing how the system worked was more important than knowing how learning worked. Although I had a passion for numerous subjects, knowing how to test-take is more important than what's on the test.

After visiting Germany in 2008 and becoming enthralled with the language, how to learn became much more important. Although my methods were sloppy, after two years I tested into intermediate German at the college level. If I had spent more time with grammar, I may have been able to slip into the advanced courses. And from this experience, I modeled my entire college curriculum on self-education. My entire drive was based on this, to take as many classes as possible and find out how to use it all. I began to read articles about project-based learning, about language learning. 

Only in Germany did I learn the most about what education is and what it should be.

Courseless: Rummaging for Materials

So, you want to learn a language? Or maybe you you're returning to an old friend.  Do you want to improve your language for a course next semester?

Regardless of your intent, you come up with a problem: what kind of source to use?

There are a multitude of free and not-so-free courses for the language of your choice. And before you start wading through the mess, it's important to ask some fundamental questions:

What level am I on now? Beginner? Intermediate? A1? B2? The Common European Framework is my preferred reference, but if you prefer another system of evaluation, go for it! Other choices include:

The Interagency Language Roundtable scale (IRL)

The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi - Chinese only!

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL)

What do I want to learn about? If your goal is travel phrases for a vacation, you will probably need a different book or online course than someone who is interested in advanced grammatical concepts.

Are there methods that appeal to me more than others? Do you prefer reading, writing, listening or speaking? Which of these is most important for you to learn? Does knowing how to speak help you write, or vise versa?  It's worth it to know not only how you want to communicate, but what learning style works best for you.

How much money can I spend? This is true especially if you are a beginner or if you are simply giving the language a test drive. Don't invest hundreds of dollars on a plethora of materials just to try them out. Read reviews, suggestions, and search for free stuff first. I can imagine there is at least one online course for nearly every language.

Do I have anyone to speak with? Looking up native speakers in your area is a great way to expound on anything you learn online. If there is a meet up available and not just tutoring, you can really learn a lot paying with time. My first impulse is to check out Meetup.com. 

How much time can I spend? Do you need a book that is short and sweet? Or do you want that hard leather-bound spell book containing 500,000 new words and grammatical notes with footnotes at the library bookstore? Depending on your level, you'll spend a different amount of time on textbook than a phrase book, but if depending on your level you might want to start on something less time consuming. I'd say the same if you're B1 or B2 - do you want to buy a textbook with listening or do you want to listen to free news casts and read a book?

After all these are answered, there are the common sense methods. If you must buy something, check the reviews first. Be aware that a certain brand may have a great books for Spanish while the German ones are lacking. The only repeated item I buy is a Barron's 500 verb dictionary, although these may also be obsolete with online verb tables. Still, it never hurts to have a physical copy, especially if you are prone to distraction online. I also find it easier to study without the internet and with something that's been edited. 

If you want my take - if I'm not enrolled in a class, I will try to find a free online course. Typically, I also purchase a reasonably priced dictionary, verb book, and sometimes a grammar reference if it isn't included in the dictionary. Often a basic grammar guide is enough, as I like to create a grammar "cheat sheet" with my own notes and color coordination.

When I began learning German, I used Deutche Welle's online course, and I continue watching their programs because it's very clear and easy to listen to.

With Russian, I used borrowed a textbook from my friend who finished first year Russian. We use Live From Russia, but I prefer Golosa (Голоса).

I started Arabic at my university, and even when I was away, I continued with Al-Kitaab. After we finish the series, I plan on practicing through a book on Arab stories, which includes a listening portion.

There's so many texts and online resources it's impossible to list them here. But finding the right material is a rewarding process, and even if you fail to find the right book at first, you'll still have found out more about your learning style.

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.