In our Language School in Phoenix, we have helped many different people learn new languages. The first and - in my opinion - most crucial step when you start learning a language, is to to learn to hear and make the sounds of the new language. With languages which you have already heard a lot, it is simple. With languages you have not heard much, more work is required.
To sound good in the new language is absolutely vital for several reasons. It allows you to be understood. It helps you create rapport with natives because you sound good. It actually allows you to hear better. Conversely, if you are not familiar with a sound, you will not be able to hear it clearly.
What are the steps you can follow to insure you develop good pronunciation when you first start out?
Initially, do not try to learn anything! Just explore, play and experiment.
1. Take your time. Your ear has to learn new distinctions and cannot be rushed. Especially if you are learning a language with tones or clicks, your ear will not be able even to hear them - until you train it. And in the languages that use them they are as important as the difference between b and p for us: "bun" or "pun"?
2. Spend time listening the way you listen to music. Listen to internet radio or podcasts to get an idea of the sound system. You are not trying to understand anything. Relax, listen carefull, breathe deeply. What do you notice? Do you hear unusual sounds or words? Is the language fast, well-enunciated, slow, slurred? What do the voices sound like? Do you like them or dislike them?
3. Imitate what you hear. Even if you are not quite sure what the sounds are, imitate as best you can. Be aware of how the new sounds feel in your mouth and body. This is a critical step. You may initially not be able to hear or reproduce some of the sounds.
4. For a few days, play recordings or movies and keep listening. You want to become familiar with the overall sound system before you start trying to learn individual sounds. This is what babies do in their cribs while listening to adults. And they do it for a year or two!
5. Using audio materials, begin to repeat and memorize simple expressions like "hello" "goodbye", "how are you?", "what is your name?". Continue to listen carefully and to imitate the native speakers as much as possible.
6. Begin testing your recall of the new sounds. Can you remember the simple words you have learned? Experiment and then listen to the natives again to correct yourself.
This whole process can be accomplished over a period of a week or two. If you like, you can begin to learn vocab and grammar at the same time, but getting the sounds is the most important task to accomplish. Would you rather speak Chinese or Italian slowly and well, or really fast and badly?
These simple instructions are sytematically taught at Focus Language. We will take you through all the steps so that you develop a strong foundation for your pronunciation. Feel free to email us or visit our website.
You can also get more language learning info on Intensive French and Teach Yourself Spanish.
Alliance
To sound good in the new language is absolutely vital for several reasons. It allows you to be understood. It helps you create rapport with natives because you sound good. It actually allows you to hear better. Conversely, if you are not familiar with a sound, you will not be able to hear it clearly.
What are the steps you can follow to insure you develop good pronunciation when you first start out?
Initially, do not try to learn anything! Just explore, play and experiment.
1. Take your time. Your ear has to learn new distinctions and cannot be rushed. Especially if you are learning a language with tones or clicks, your ear will not be able even to hear them - until you train it. And in the languages that use them they are as important as the difference between b and p for us: "bun" or "pun"?
2. Spend time listening the way you listen to music. Listen to internet radio or podcasts to get an idea of the sound system. You are not trying to understand anything. Relax, listen carefull, breathe deeply. What do you notice? Do you hear unusual sounds or words? Is the language fast, well-enunciated, slow, slurred? What do the voices sound like? Do you like them or dislike them?
3. Imitate what you hear. Even if you are not quite sure what the sounds are, imitate as best you can. Be aware of how the new sounds feel in your mouth and body. This is a critical step. You may initially not be able to hear or reproduce some of the sounds.
4. For a few days, play recordings or movies and keep listening. You want to become familiar with the overall sound system before you start trying to learn individual sounds. This is what babies do in their cribs while listening to adults. And they do it for a year or two!
5. Using audio materials, begin to repeat and memorize simple expressions like "hello" "goodbye", "how are you?", "what is your name?". Continue to listen carefully and to imitate the native speakers as much as possible.
6. Begin testing your recall of the new sounds. Can you remember the simple words you have learned? Experiment and then listen to the natives again to correct yourself.
This whole process can be accomplished over a period of a week or two. If you like, you can begin to learn vocab and grammar at the same time, but getting the sounds is the most important task to accomplish. Would you rather speak Chinese or Italian slowly and well, or really fast and badly?
These simple instructions are sytematically taught at Focus Language. We will take you through all the steps so that you develop a strong foundation for your pronunciation. Feel free to email us or visit our website.
You can also get more language learning info on Intensive French and Teach Yourself Spanish.
Alliance
