Learning vocabulary words is critical part of learning to speak a foreign language, next to grammar. If you can say any words, how can you speak the language? Learning vocabulary words isn’t always easy. In a perfect world, we would be able to look at a word and never remember it. This way, we could learn hundreds of words a day. Unfortunately, this doesn’t usually happen. For some, remembering the words is simple. For others, it is very difficult. If you practice some simple steps, hopefully you will be able to learn in a short period of time.
The key to studying a new vocabulary word is using it and seeing it over and over. If you can use a language program that has this quality built in, you are in luck. If not, there are ways to simulate it.
Put together a list of words you want to study in the first day. You might pick 10 completely unrelated words. Start by writing down the list with the target language first then English. Read through them a few times. Next, pick your first term. Read through both translations 10 times out loud. Now look at the target language word. Does it remind you of anything that be used to help you remember what it means?
For example, the Spanish word for paper is papel. This one is simple because the the beginning of the word looks just like paper. Now, every time you need to know the word for paper in Spanish, try to remember that papel looks like paper.
Now, you should repeatedly use the word. Try to write three to five sentences using the word in different ways. When you finish it with each word, write them down on an index card so that you can use them on flashcards later on. Carry them with you when you know you’ll have some free time to use them. This way, you can constantly be looking at them and reviewing them. When you are finished with vocabulary each day, don’t just move on to the next set of words and forget the rest. Always keep them all in mind.
Also when you have free time, try to construct sentences as you think using your vocabulary words. You don’t want to just remember the word when you see it, you want to have it mastered so that whenever you need it, you don’t have to think first, it just comes out. For example, you might always know that papel means paper, but will you always know how to say paper in Spanish? Papel needs to just pop in your head.
This is how you will become fluent. You need to know each word inside and out. Try to think in your language. It’s a great way to use your language whenever you want even if you don’t have any study materials. Also, you won’t look weird speaking in another language because you are only thinking it. The key to learning any language is by practicing. As they say, “practice makes perfect!”
Posts Tagged ‘Grammar’
Denver Language School
December 13th, 2009Denver Language School: Follow These Easy Steps to be Part of This Multicultural World and Explore Far Beyond Average Knowledge
So you want to find a a Denver Language School? Imagine being able to master a foreign language and opening your eyes to a complete new and interesting culture. There are about 195 countries in the world, each with unique costumes, sceneries, ideologies and native languages. Linguists calculate that there are about 5,000 to 6,000 forms of communication that allow humans to communicate to others their thoughts and feelings.
You’re probably thinking that English is the most spoken language. Well, please think again. It’s mandarin Chinese, yes this beautifully complex speech is pronounced most often around the world than others. In Denver Languages School the noise of foreign intrinsic words jump right off the walls of students who every day chose to more involved in this global community.
Spanish, Chinese, German, Italian, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, English, among others are all taught in the most effective ways. Each element of a language like grammar, speaking, listening and writing are all included in personalized classes at Denver Language School.
So next time you sit across from a visitor and see the expression on his face, you’ll understand. Some day, you’ll live those same feelings you can only perceive if you comprehend more aspects of the new culture. You can also experience the bliss of guiding him around in his native language. How is this possible? By mastering a new languages, of course. Imagine all the new people you can talk with if you study more.
The rewards of mastering a second language could be used all around, from personal to professional growth, they are limitless. There are many careers that would benefit from this extra knowledge. For example, if you’re a marketing consultant and a company wants to sell their products in other countries. To make this possible you need to understand their culture and to do that you should master their language.
You can realize all this and fulfill your thirst for knowledge of diverse cultures that make up the human race. Accompany one of the numerous students at Denver Language School that have chosen to transcend far beyond the average knowledge people have.
Follow These Simple Steps to be Part of This Multicultural World and Transcend Far Beyond Average Knowledge: Denver Language School- www.LanguagesLCI.com
By: Denver Language School
The Composite Models Of The Chinese Language And Difficulty In Understanding It
December 10th, 2009This is true that only 10,000 characters are being used regularly out of 20,000 characters of Chinese language. To be able to fully understand the language, at least when it comes to reading of course, you need to learn Chinese characters. Out of many languages in this world, the most engrossing and complex language is Chinese. Excluding Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and other parts of Malaysia, more than one billion people live in china. The Chinese language has become the most spoken language in those countries apart from china. It is known for being indirect or to understate meanings. This indirectness is attributed to a cultural trait, older than the language itself. The high degree of internal diversity brings attraction to the Chinese language and many are learning it with much interest. The ‘chinese radicals are the 214 elementary pictographs, combination of which form an infinite number of words leading to constant evolution of Chinese language. Alternatively, a new word can be formed by combining two or more radicals. Out of oldest languages around 3000 years, Chinese is one among them in this world. Chinese has developed tremendously over these long periods but the basic grammar, vocabulary and writing system have not much changed. If gender is taken into consideration, it is neutral as compared to a Latin-based language like French and hence easy to learn. Unlike English, where one might say, “I will eat,” “I ate,” or “I have eaten,” in Chinese one would say, “Wo chi” (which means “I eat” ) plus the time phrases, today, later, tomorrow, etc. The Chinese language is written in characters, each of which consists of one, up to dozens of strokes, and a phrase or sentence can be made of several characters. Due to shortness of characters as compared to English words, a translated Chinese version takes lesser spares always than English original. Chinese can be though of as a tool, without which the Chinese could not do, even for a moment in their daily life and work. If a person’s knowledge about the Chinese language is not up to a certain standard, if he or she cannot speak distinctly and fluently, or what he or she writes does not read smoothly, then the effect on that person as a Chinese is all-weather and all-directional, so the influence is obviously far greater than that of English. People’s Republic of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong is served with Mandarin as the official language as it is spoken in excess of 50% of the huge Chinese population. Mandarin also serves as the second official language of Singapore. Like Latin which helps in learning other Western languages, Mandarin is helpful in learning other Asian languages. Highly influenced by it already are the Asian languages, in particular written Chinese language. Mandarin, a widely spoken language, can be learnt through many online sites available though it is tough to learn. <a onClick=”javascript:pageTracker. _trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www. squidoo. com/learn_chinese_faster”>learn chinese faster</a> with the help of best online teacher and participation of conversation with your friends. The best way to learn and enjoy learning chinese language is to speak regularly.
