By Geralde Vincent-Bancroft

How do you learn a new language? This is a question that many people ask, and the answer can be quite complex. There is no one right way to learn a new language – it depends on your personal preferences and learning style. However, some general tips can help you on your road to success!

This article focuses on how to create an engaging learning environment for students at home, which will also help them form a bond with their new language.

I- Observe

What we observe in our daily lives enhances the learning process. Visual memory allows us to create images of objects, places and events through time as if they were happening now .

 Observational skills are usually innate for most people who watch without realising that every idea learned can be applied somewhere else later on down the line.

-Observational Learning

Type of learning that occurs as a result of perceiving the behaviour of others. It is a relatively passive form of learning, in which individuals simply notice the behaviour of others and then imitate it. 

It can be a powerful tool for acquiring new skills and knowledge, and has been shown to be an important part of many animals’ learning processes.

One of the most famous examples of observational learning comes from the work of psychologist Albert Bandura. In his Bobo doll experiment, Bandura showed that children who observed an adult behaving aggressively towards a Bobo doll were more likely to imitate that behaviour themselves when given the opportunity to do so. 

This experiment demonstrated the power of observational learning, and showed that it can lead to the acquisition of new skills and knowledge.

Observational learning and language learning

One language learning method that is often overlooked is observational learning. This approach can be highly effective if done correctly. To use observational learning for language learning effectively, you must:

• – first, find a language partner who speaks the language that you want to learn fluently;

• – then spend time with this person in various activities and settings, observing how they speak the language;

• – and finally, practice using the language yourself in similar activities and settings.

This method works best if you can find a language partner who is willing to spend a significant amount of time with you. However, even if you can only spend a few hours a week with your language partner, you can still make progress in learning the language. 

The key is to be patient and consistent in your observations and practice. With time and effort, you will be able to learn the language successfully using this observational learning method.

II- Visual learning and language learning

Images are a quick and easy way to remember important information. When you use visuals,  people tend to look at them more closely than if you were just talking on paper or screen- they take in all the details which makes it easier for your message to get across.

When learning visually, communication becomes easier because pictures allow the learner to easily process and remember what they need.

Images are a powerful way to make sure that information is stored in long-term memory. Pictures provide more engagement than just text or sounds, because they can be memorable for future use.

Learning vocabulary

When you make visual associations with the words, you will retain them much better than if you simply read off of a list or repeated back in your own words.

 Thousands of unique words make up a language, so it’s important to have creative methods to help you remember as many as possible.

 Try making a mental image of the word or phrase and then associate it with the meaning. It can be a funny or memorable picture in your mind that will make the language stick better. This is called the mnemonic method and it’s a great way to improve language learning.

Mind mapping  is a great way to get organised and learn new information. It is an innovative and creative way to help you  memorise vocabulary. It is easier for the visual learner because it helps users form connections between different pieces of data by creating visual representations that are easy for the brain to process. 

Students can see what’s related, which means less time wasted trying to figure out how these concepts are connected.

Visual sequential memory

Visual sequential memory is a type of brain training that can make you better at remembering numbers and words in correct order. People who use this skill often have excellent spelling abilities too.

On the whole, learners are much more engaged when they can see what’s being taught. A teacher who is using a screen displaying images, or a PowerPoint presentation will often have better results.

III- Listening

Listening is much more than just hearing. It’s about understanding what the other person says and taking their feelings into account when making decisions.

G. Vincent-Bancroft

Active and Passive listening in language learning

Listening is an important skill for language learners to develop. However, simply hearing the spoken language is not enough – it is also necessary to understand and process what is being said. This requires active listening, which involves paying attention to both the speaker and the message. It can be helpful to make mental notes or ask questions if something is unclear. 

Passive listening, on the other hand, means simply letting the words wash over you without really processing them. This can be effective for picking up on general meaning or gist, but it is not enough if you want to understand every detail of a conversation.

 To become a proficient listener, it is essential to learn how to effectively combine both active and passive listening techniques.

IV- Planning

When learners plan, they find their voice and start making meaningful language learning choices. 

They develop ideas that inspire them, they break broad goals into manageable smaller steps so they can achieve the outcomes desirable for themselves with confidence. They  finally know why these are worth pursuing.

Truly understanding what you want is a key first step towards setting achievable long term objectives which will provide motivation when necessary throughout all aspects of your language daily routine . 

V- The secret of language learning

When you combine visual learning, listening and planning skills into one package, you become a life-long learner. This helps you achieve better results in any environment- school or work.

Plan your approach to every topic before starting. Have specific goals and divide them into manageable bites to make the process easier.

Conclusion

There is a road to language learning success. It’s not always easy, but it is worth the effort.

G. Vincent-Bancroft

By integrating visual learning, listening and planning skills you will become unstoppable, someone who never stops growing and expanding your language learning horizons.

How will you apply these principles in your own studies?