Which factor plays the most important role in learning a foreign language?
Post 1 of 25
I think there are many factors that contribute to a successful foreign language learner at anywhere worldwide. Among following aspects or elements, which, do you think, plays a most important role?
1. Learning atmosphere or environment.
2. Intelligence
3. Hard-working
4. High-quality teaching methods ( teachers )
5. Skillful learning ways
23 Apr 2007 00:38
Post 2 of 25
Replying to [James 007]:Dear James
Just thought opportune to mention this. Learning 10 languages does not equate to spending 10 times as much energy you needed when you were learning the first foreign language.
Actually, once you master a foreign language, learning a second and third will require less efforts than the first one, and the theory keeps going on. If you are fluent in five languages, learning the 6th will be much easier yet.
The reason is that when learning a new language, you get more insight as to how the language is structured. You also would learn new words that could be similar to the 3rd or 4th language that you decided to learn. Pope Juan Pablo II knew more than 50 languages, and had the chance to practice them when travelling all over the world. What a great mind he had.
And about getting more enthusiasm to learn English, when having a female teacher, I agree with you, female teachers are more patient and like to encourage your drive to learn more friendly than male teachers. So the chemistry is out there to keep you studying English
Vicente
Just thought opportune to mention this. Learning 10 languages does not equate to spending 10 times as much energy you needed when you were learning the first foreign language.
Actually, once you master a foreign language, learning a second and third will require less efforts than the first one, and the theory keeps going on. If you are fluent in five languages, learning the 6th will be much easier yet.
The reason is that when learning a new language, you get more insight as to how the language is structured. You also would learn new words that could be similar to the 3rd or 4th language that you decided to learn. Pope Juan Pablo II knew more than 50 languages, and had the chance to practice them when travelling all over the world. What a great mind he had.
And about getting more enthusiasm to learn English, when having a female teacher, I agree with you, female teachers are more patient and like to encourage your drive to learn more friendly than male teachers. So the chemistry is out there to keep you studying English
Vicente
15 May 2007 13:15
Post 3 of 25
Replying to [Business in China]:You've heard "necessity is the mother of invention?" Perhaps necessity is also the queen mother of language learning.
15 May 2007 13:47
Post 4 of 25
Replying to [Business in China]:
my view, just for your reference!
1. Learning atmosphere or environment.-------20%
2. Intelligence--------------------------------------------30%
3. Hard-working-----------------------------------------30%
4. High-quality teaching methods ( teachers )-----5%
5. Skillful learning ways-------------------------------15%
my view, just for your reference!
1. Learning atmosphere or environment.-------20%
2. Intelligence--------------------------------------------30%
3. Hard-working-----------------------------------------30%
4. High-quality teaching methods ( teachers )-----5%
5. Skillful learning ways-------------------------------15%
16 May 2007 02:10
Post 5 of 25
Replying to [Nancy811815]:
Nancy, interesting. there is some truth there.
![[em1]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_smile.gif){kind=icon}
16 May 2007 08:34
Post 6 of 25
Replying to [Business in China]:marry a Chinese girl .
16 May 2007 09:02
Post 7 of 25
Replying to [opalcutter]:
This is the best way I think, love can improve your language skills dramatically......![[em2]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_laugh.gif)
This is the best way I think, love can improve your language skills dramatically......
06 Sep 2007 17:40
Post 8 of 25
Replying to [Business in China]:
You forgot an important point: the receptiveness and open-mindedness of the student. Though I'm not quite sure if that is the most important point, even supposing he has at least a reasonable level of intelligence, etc.
You forgot an important point: the receptiveness and open-mindedness of the student. Though I'm not quite sure if that is the most important point, even supposing he has at least a reasonable level of intelligence, etc.
06 Sep 2007 20:01
Post 9 of 25
Replying to [James 007]:
For some reason I also find female language teachers more engaging and therefore more effective. Perhaps it's their patience or they're just pleasant to listen and pay attention to.
Anyway in my case I learnt a foreign language more by listening to radio broadcast in that language as well as reading, and later on actually practising the language talking to native speakers of the language.
For some reason I also find female language teachers more engaging and therefore more effective. Perhaps it's their patience or they're just pleasant to listen and pay attention to.
Anyway in my case I learnt a foreign language more by listening to radio broadcast in that language as well as reading, and later on actually practising the language talking to native speakers of the language.
06 Sep 2007 22:12
Post 10 of 25
Replying to [Business in China]:
PASSION (all may sound like cliche but they all come from my heart) ^_^ -
Read as much as possible. Read anything that arouse your interest no matter it is a novel, academic work, newspaper, comic, lyrics or even only an advertisement;
Listen w/ your heart to grasp the correct vowel, tune and rhythm
Practice makes perfect.
Be open-hearted. Embrace yourself to the foreign culture and dun be shy in meeting new friends.
Be open-minded. Open up yourself to see things from a different perspective especially when you encounter cultural difference in your exploration.
Treat a new language as your second love. Love her with your heart and soul. But, be patient, dun scare your love away by pushing yourself too much~
Remember, constant hard work will always yeild result.
![[em7]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_shy.gif)
Good Luck!
PASSION (all may sound like cliche but they all come from my heart) ^_^ -
Read as much as possible. Read anything that arouse your interest no matter it is a novel, academic work, newspaper, comic, lyrics or even only an advertisement;
Listen w/ your heart to grasp the correct vowel, tune and rhythm
Practice makes perfect.
Be open-hearted. Embrace yourself to the foreign culture and dun be shy in meeting new friends.
Be open-minded. Open up yourself to see things from a different perspective especially when you encounter cultural difference in your exploration.
Treat a new language as your second love. Love her with your heart and soul. But, be patient, dun scare your love away by pushing yourself too much~
Remember, constant hard work will always yeild result.
Good Luck!
10 Sep 2007 04:59
Post 11 of 25
Replying to [Vicente]:Did you say Pope John Paul II in English from Spanish?
He is ethnic Russian, as Prof. says it is out of necessity. Someone else says it is passion, and the X-factor, while others cited the motivation towards learning a foreign language.
However, I only did it out of the need to do so, I have the habit not to depend on translators, as they have their own shortcomings. Some translations cannot be done literally, and matters like: terms, metaphors, idioms, and cliché are not to be translated literally.
One person mentioned the attitude, able and willing to, the Y-factor. Living in an environment of cosmopolitan influence, like here in Singapore, I met people from all nationality, Russians, Germans, French, Arabs, Japanese, Koreans, Thais, Burmese, Indonesian, Filipino, and etc. Most Singapore read and write at least 2 languages, and the second majority are tri-linguists.
OO7
He is ethnic Russian, as Prof. says it is out of necessity. Someone else says it is passion, and the X-factor, while others cited the motivation towards learning a foreign language.
However, I only did it out of the need to do so, I have the habit not to depend on translators, as they have their own shortcomings. Some translations cannot be done literally, and matters like: terms, metaphors, idioms, and cliché are not to be translated literally.
One person mentioned the attitude, able and willing to, the Y-factor. Living in an environment of cosmopolitan influence, like here in Singapore, I met people from all nationality, Russians, Germans, French, Arabs, Japanese, Koreans, Thais, Burmese, Indonesian, Filipino, and etc. Most Singapore read and write at least 2 languages, and the second majority are tri-linguists.
OO7
12 Sep 2007 03:36