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Approaches to Language Learning: Blending Tradition with Innovation View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by UCL Discovery Approaches to language learning: Blending tradition with innovation MARK SHUTTLEWORTH a a School of European Languages, Culture and Society, University College London, U.K. Email: [email protected] Abstract —Experienced language learners have always tended to on the point of rendering the learning of other languages an work out their own strategies to maximise their effectiveness; unnecessary and obsolete activity, I believe that (at least some) examples of this would include consciously incorporating newly human beings will always wish to be able to communicate with learnt words and phrases in one’s own speaking and writing, each other across language barriers with the immediacy that reading real texts on topics that are of interest to one and such applications cannot provide, for all their many obvious learning to paraphrase so as to utilise one’s knowledge to the advantages. More importantly perhaps, for a long time to come greatest possible effect. Such approaches will probably always it is likely that the most sensitive interlingual communication continue to have considerable validity. However, the age of the will continue to be entrusted to humans. internet and mobile technology is enabling the activity of language learning to be enhanced and supported in new and This paper will start by considering in Section I what are innovative ways. Firstly, the vast amount of user-generated likely to be some of the constants that will continue to content now available in many languages on the web (including characterise the activity of learning another language through video content on sites such as Youtube) on every topic under the what is likely to be a period of great change. It will aim to do sun can now be exploited for language learning purposes. this by enumerating what might be considered to be some of Secondly, there are now a wide range of apps (such as reading the habits that successful language learners develop for aids or flashcard utilities), each of which is designed to support themselves. Following this, the next three sections will particular aspects of the learning process. Finally, wikis and consider how this activity has changed with the advent of the other collaborative writing projects help to make language new technology, focusing in particular on new approaches that learning a more active and even creative activity. are genuinely helpful to the learner. With this aim in view The paper will present a few examples of these new kinds of Section II will focus on the potential for language learning that approach. Chief among these will be the showcasing of a user- has been unleashed by the advent of Web 2.0 technologies. The driven wiki for learners of Mandarin Chinese that is based at emphasis of Section III will be on applications – and in University College London. One of the emphases throughout will particular mobile apps – that have been developed with the be on considering the extent to which the new approaches and language learner in mind. Finally, Section IV will discuss technologies considered are in the spirit of traditional language collaborative writing as a means to language learning, and will learning or should be considered a new departure. focus on a wiki that is being developed at University College London. Keywords-principles of language learning; internet; mobile devices; wikis; apps What follows is certainly not intended as anything like an exhaustive list but focuses on a selection of new possibilities Language learning is no easy activity. Quite the opposite in for the twenty-first century language learner. fact: it probably comes naturally to very few, and even those who seem to have a flair for it will need to apply themselves I. PRINCIPLES OF LANGUAGE LEARNING with great dedication over an extended period of time in order Any experienced linguist will develop a set of mental to achieve a reasonable level of proficiency in a language. And attitudes and practical strategies that will enhance his or her yet there has always been a need for people to know other ability to make rapid progress when learning a new language; languages, and this has every chance of continuing to be the 1 these are essential approaches that will help the language case. Even with applications such as Google Translate, learner to overcome the sheer unnaturalness of the activity Wordlens 2 and the English > Mandarin speech translator 3 being undertaken. While this will differ from person to person currently under development by Microsoft, which appear to be a typical list might include at least some of the following: 1 1. In the early stages of learning a new language, work http://translate.google.co.uk 2 out a basic survival kit that would consist of the http://questvisual.com following kinds of item: basic greetings; I like , I want , 3 http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/research/stories/speech-to- etc. (the 1 st person form being the most important to speech.aspx I should like to acknowledge with gratitude the support given to me by UniMAP, which helped me to participate in the SILK conference. acquire in the case of languages with verbs that 16. As soon as possible, start reading short, real texts on conjugate); simple directions; Do you speak …? ; topics that interest you, even if you do not understand talking about yourself in simple terms. everything you read 2. Motivation is of course of key importance at all stages: 17. Get into the habit of surfing the web in the second you should actively want to improve your knowledge language in order to find reading material and also to of the language by using every method at your disposal resolve grammatical queries and by turning every situation into a language learning opportunity 18. In terms of general reading at an early stage of language learning, suitable texts to tackle might 3. Be clear in your mind what you need the language for: include the following: house and home magazines; is it for tourism purposes, in order to be able to Hello magazine or its equivalent; horoscopes; converse or to read novels? questionnaires; book reviews and synopses from Amazon or equivalent; university (or other) home 4. Work on the language little and often (and even pages. Often newspapers are not the most suitable type interrupt another activity for a couple of minutes every of text. For the more advanced: read in translation a half an hour in order to do so); if working for a longer book you were planning to read in your own language period of time then the session should be split up into (or at least an extract from it) different activities 19. Get into the habit of paraphrasing so as to utilise your 5. For most people, simply reading through (or writing knowledge to the greatest possible effect: if you cannot out) lists of vocabulary is not the most effective say exactly what you want, rephrase it in a simpler way learning strategy; rather, as a minimum, test yourself on new words 20. When you are in the country where the language is spoken you will probably be surrounded by all kinds of 6. Try to recall words you have been studying, once again different linguistic stimuli: be open to these and learn briefly and often; again, recalling is better than from as many of them as possible repeatedly reading or copying out Using approaches such as these the experienced language 7. Learn words in categories; for example, if you find you learner is likely to be able to assimilate the enormous body of know the word for year , make sure you know what theoretical and practical knowledge that needs to be mastered month and week are too more rapidly than would perhaps otherwise be the case. This 8. Work out your own mnemonics wherever possible: list of course makes no specific reference to language learning these should preferably be vivid mental associations technology. Sections II-IV present specific examples of a range that personalise the learning of new vocabulary and of different technology-driven approaches to language learning, make it easier to recall and we will in fact see that there is a considerable amount of interlinking between these contemporary methods and the 9. Consciously incorporate newly learnt words and principles set out above. However, one of the things that will phrases in your own speaking and writing in order to interest us below is the extent to which these principles are still reinforce them reflected in the technology that has totally revolutionised so 10. Be driven by your curiosity: for example, constantly many other areas of our lives over the last twenty years; and, ask yourself if you know particular words in the second following on from that, the extent to which they can be language enhanced by the use of apps and other electronic services. 11. Following on from that, consciously plug gaps in your II. WEB 2.0 knowledge: for example, if you are lacking a vital word The term “Web 2.0” has been around for more than ten during a conversation, make sure you find out what it years, and is used to refer to the result of the gradual change in is straight afterwards; also, anticipate what words you attitudes towards the web that has made possible the are likely to need in a situation that is about to arise development of new applications and approaches such as social 12. Visualise all the situations in which you might find media, blogs, wikis and crowdsourcing – in fact, just about any yourself on a visit to the country and anticipate the key application or service that involves interaction and words you will need to know collaboration among a virtual community of users.
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