Posted on by Ulrike Rettig

Why Context Matters in Language Learning

Context matters - Gamesforlanguage.comLearning a new language is a pretty complicated process. When someone speaks to you in a foreign language, there are so many things going on at the same time.

You need to decode the sounds and figure out the meaning of the words; you have to understand the underlying grammar (verbs forms, pronoun objects, etc.) and also determine the sentence structure (question, statement, imperative, etc.)

Finally, you have to connect everything to the context of the situation. That's a lot going on at once. So, how do you best learn to master this process, step by step?

Advice Galore

For sure, there's plenty of advice floating around on how to best learn a language. You'll find a language learning expert on almost every “corner” of the Internet.

One may tell you that all you need is to repeat and memorize words and phrases; another may insist you should just read and you'll absorb the language automatically; a third expert may say that all you need to do is copy the language and start writing on your own.

Someone else advises that watching TV or YouTube clips in the language will have you speaking in no time. Then, there's the “natural” method where you “learn like a child”; and there's the grammar-drill method where you grind your way through “pattern practices.”

In my own career as a college language teacher, I've watched various waves of teaching “methods” come and go. They are all helpful to some extent. People are learning languages all over the world using many of the above suggestions.

Do you really want to learn a new language?

For that, you need to be in control of your own language learning. It's your project. No-one can do it for you. You have to be passionate, persistent, and also patient.

Research has shown that to learn a new language “mere exposure is not sufficient … interaction in the language is needed in order for the learner to communicate personal meaning in the target language. ... Language practice which takes place in relevant context will then result in the acquisition of the language.” as Dr. Marjo Mitsutomi  in “Some Fundamental Principles of Language Teaching and Learning" describes.

If your goal is to engage in relevant, personal conversations with others – the “Context Approach” is a good way to get there. As the "Language Lizard Blog" stresses, the value of context should be remembered even when teaching language to young children: "We use language for communication and therefore it is best learned in its natural form: through discussions, conversations, and stories."

Why Context matters

Taking a sample German “core conversation,” I'd like to illustrate how a learner may focus on different aspects of the language at different stages, and why context is important:

A young man, Michael meets is at the home of a friend. He meets Claudia for the first time.
Michael: Hallo Claudia! Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.
Renate: Michael, sei nicht so formell. Ihr könnt euch duzen!
Michael: Wenn es dir recht ist Claudia?
Claudia: Natürlich, wir Studenten duzen uns alle!

English translation:

Michael: Hello Claudia! Pleased to meet you. (formal)
Renate: Michael, don't be so formal. You can say “du.” (informal “you”)
Michael: If it's all right with you, Claudia?
Claudia: Of course, we students all say “du.”

Initially you may mostly focus on:

1. Individual vocabulary (about 20 content items)
• learn their meaning practice their pronunciation
• practice their spelling

2. Find a way to practice the sentences
• speak them aloud to whoever is willing to listen
• type them out
• write them out by hand
• hang the page up in the kitchen or your office.)

Soon, you may also want to know:

1. The subject pronouns:
• ich, du, er, sie es, sie (I, familiar "you", he, she, it)
• Sie, ihr, wir, sie (formal “you”, plural "you", they)

2. Basic conjugations of the verbs used:
• freuen (to be glad)
• kennen lernen (to get to know)
• können (can, to be able)
• sein (to be)
• duzen (to use the familiar "you")

Replaying this dialog, you may understand:

1. sentence structure:
• the form of a statement
• a command
• a type of question
• a complex sentence

2. other grammatical forms
• direct and indirect object pronouns [mich, dir]
• reflexive pronouns [euch, uns])

Key Points to consider:

1. What is important about the context the dialog provides?
• the age of the people (they are students in their twenties)
• how well people know each other
• the circumstance of the conversation (the setting is informal)

2. Why take a conversation rather than individual phrases or sentences?
• you'll better remember the words/phrases related to the context
• you'll pick up cultural information (i.e. students say “du”)

3. Why only about 20 words?
It's a good number to practice and remember.

4. What will you have learned initially?
• 20 useful words, in a meaningful context

5. And, later on either explicitly or intuitively?
• all the subject pronouns
• 6 verbs and a conjugation of each
• 3 types of sentences

Once you've absorbed a few dozen conversations and acquired more than 500 content words, you're probably ready to engage in relevant, personal conversations with others.

If you're not in the country and don't have a live community that speaks your new language, you should head to one of the virtual “language learning communities,” which Kirsten Winkler, Founder and Editor of EDUKWEST, calls “Pubs of the Global Village.” There, you can practice what you know and continue to learn.

Posted on by Peter Rettig

Foreign Language Pronunciation - “Don't worry too much about your accent!"

No pressure - Gamesforlanguage.com An article by Dr. Marjo Mitsutomi recently caused me to reflect on my own language learning efforts. I had shared with readers of a earlier blog post my dislike and struggles with French.

In fact, I can still remember how I resented having to “produce” the French nasal “n” in class.

On-line language learning can take away such embarrassment, but not the difficulties for an adult learner to fully acquire the native-like pronunciation of a foreign language.

Dr. Marjo Mitsutomi, a linguist and multilingual/multicultural teacher, points out in Some Fundamental Principles of Language Teaching and Learning that: “when all circumstances are normal, most children learn the basic structures and vocabulary of their language within the first four years of their life.”

She also notes that: “although people are capable of learning any number of languages during their lifetime, many experience failure of different degrees in the process of learning other languages....Anyone who has ever seriously attempted to master another language knows that it is a time consuming and challenging effort... Yet research and experience demonstrate that the only area most negatively affected by a 'late' onset of language study is pronunciation.

There are many elements of this wonderful article that make it worthwhile reading for any language “aficionado”.

Accent Confessions

My own experience certainly confirms the statements about “pronunciation”: Although I started learning English in fifth grade and became quite fluent in French in my twenties, I cannot disguise my native German accent in either language.

Several years ago, during the zenith of my consulting career, I took “accent reduction” lessons in English. I was able to improve my “Ws” and “Vs”, so I did not sound quite as Colonel Klenk of “Hogan's Heroes”.

In French, my accent may be less Germanic than in English, as French natives often have difficulties placing it. “French Canadian” is not an uncommon guess. A typical Swiss-French giveaway is often not the accent, but the numbers: While 70 in French is “soixante-dix”, the Swiss-French, (as well as French speaking Belgians), would also use a more practical “septante.”)

Famous Accents

Some have suggested that Henry Kissinger kept his strong German accent on purpose, but I don't believe so. Arriving in the US as a teenager, I am sure he tried very hard to sound American.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, during his movie career on the other hand, may even have benefited from his Austrian/German accent; even as governor he could not completely disguise his language background (and “accent reduction” lessons would have been easy for him to find in Hollywood!).

Always Remember

So, what should an adult foreign language learner take away from all of the above recollections and musings: Don't worry too much about your accent! 

In all likelihood, you will never sound like a native in the foreign language! It is also true, as Dr. Mitsutomi notes “...since there are so many distinctly different accents and even varieties of English itself throughout the world that all English speakers have an accent in someone else's ear.”

You'll certainly want to try to emulate the native speakers of your language program as much as you can. But don't get discouraged, if this appears difficult at the beginning.

With time, your pronunciation will improve as you'll pick up more of the language “melody.” And by just considering improving your pronunciation a lifelong “hobby,” you are taking away the pressure, and can enjoy listening and speaking, the essentials of verbal communication!

Posted on by Peter Rettig

Language skills: “If you don't use them – you'll lose them!”

Fribourg, Switzerland - Gamesforlanguage.comGrowing up in Austria and Germany, I started to learn English in 5th grade, followed by Latin and French in the 8th. I can't say that I liked Latin, but I know that I hated French, and my grades certainly reflected this dislike.

Life had a funny way of changing my mind about French. I love speaking French now and use it often with family and friends. But the big takeaway has been: If you don't use your language skills, you'll lose them.

Learning French

After completing my engineering degree, it was therefore with great trepidation that I took a job with an engineering firm in Fribourg. (see picture above, with Cathedral). This is a town that is situated on the German/French language divide in Switzerland and is therefore bilingual.

While a couple of my colleagues also spoke a (French version of) Swiss German, the professional language in the office was clearly French. I had no choice but to learn it.

I did so by taking evening courses and by practicing with the records of a self-teaching language program. And, with time, and importantly - a French speaking girlfriend - my French improved enough so that I could communicate even on a professional level. Eventually, I became quite fluent.

Learning Italian

A few years ago, my wife and I planned an extended stay in Italy. We prepared ourselves with 90 lessons of self-teaching audio CDs and, once in the country, we made a concentrated effort to improve our Italian.

We used a tutor, engaged in conversations with locals, read newspapers, watched movies and TV, spoke Italian to each other, etc. “Immersion” in a foreign language when you live in that country clearly works. It works especially well if you avoid contact to people, who speak your native language.

Keeping it Going

When you live in your own country, learning a foreign language and keeping up your language skills has to be an ongoing effort.

I, for example, try to read online newspaper articles in French, Italian, and German on a daily basis. Both of us regularly watch original French, Italian, and German movies with Netflix (and I really should continue with an Italian book I had started...)

But I also find that playing the later scenes of our French and Italian gamesforlanguage.com program provides me with a great way to keep up my language skills. I realized the other day what made them so effective for me:

• The listening games keep reminding me of the language melody.

• The continual speaking practices let me test whether I can still match the native speakers' intonation. (I actually repeat a spoken foreign phrase as many times as I can, before the next one comes up.)

• The writing exercises continue to be challenging, although I should know most of the words.

There are still a few games where I have not yet reached the 100% score, but I'll certainly get there! I look forward to a little language break once a day (and my Mac reminds me!)
 
I'm now also learning Spanish. And while I often mix it up with Italian, I know I am making progress!

Clearly, not everyone can spend as much time as I do to keep up my language skills. But, if you also don't want to lose them, you have to find ways to incorporate some practice into your daily schedule.

Gamesforlanguage is just one option for doing so. There are many others, on the web, in print, movies, radio and TV. You need to find the way that works best for you, as you also know: If you don't use it - you'll lose it!

Posted on by Ulrike Rettig

3 Ways to Better Engage in a German Conversation

Games-for-German-conversation When in a German speaking country, you certainly want ways to better engage in a German conversation.
There are essential skills to deal with daily, practical situations: ordering in a restaurant, asking directions, greeting friends or strangers, introducing others, purchasing, paying a check, checking into a hotel, etc.

But you also want to be able to engage in conversations with locals. To do this, you must swallow your anxiety about speaking up and find ways to start, sustain, and eventually end a conversation.

Conversing with strangers can feel a little awkward in any language. A recent article by : 12 Ways To Make Talking To Strangers Less Awkward has some good tips on braving such a challenge.

Of course, these tips also work for talking with strangers in a foreign language. I've adapted them here for conversations with German speakers. A good antidote to "conversation anxiety" is to practice some useful expressions ahead of time. You can start with the list below.

1. Initiating a conversation

When initiating a conversation, act confident and  comfortable, this will put the other person at ease too.

a) Be sure that you know how to address a stranger correctly to be appropriately polite. Best to use a neutral greeting such as “Guten Morgen,” “Guten Tag,” “Guten Abend” (Good morning, Hello, Good evening) or have a a couple of polite phrases ready, such as:

- "Entschuldigen Sie ..." (Excuse me ...)
- "Bitte ..." (Please [can you tell me] ...)

b) Importantly, you should use the formal "Sie" (the polite form of "you") as a starter with anyone, except children. In most cases, it's best to wait until you're prompted to use the familiar: "du."

That means, of course, that you also have to learn to distinguish between the appropriate German verb endings. Listen here to a German conversation where students talk about using the familiar "du".

c) By the way, in German, you would never use "How are you?" (Wie geht's?/Wie geht es Ihnen?) as part of a greeting, unless you know the person very well.
Germans take such a question seriously and may be tempted to give you a literal answer.

d) Learn to ask for directions or for information; this may very well lead to a longer exchange. Start with a neutral greeting (see above) and follow up with a question, such as:

- "Wo ist ...?" (Where is ...?)
- "Wie komme ich am besten zu ...?" ("How do I best get to ...")
- "Wissen Sie, wann/wo ...?" (Do you know when/where ...?)

e) Comment about the here and now. For example when you're at a café, a restaurant, a museum, in a shop, at a market, etc. Talk about what's around you, what you see; you can even mention the weather.

- "Ein Früchte-Eisbecher? Was ist das?" (A "Früchte-Eisbecher"? What is that?)
- "Das ist wirklich ein schönes Gebäude!" (That's really a beautiful building!)
- "Wunderbares Wetter heute!" (Great weather today!)

2. Once engaged in a conversation...

Once engaged in a conversation, you'll want to have a few topics up your sleeve to sustain it.
a) Know some basic information about the city and a few interesting historical facts about the country. This also means that you should learn how to say dates.

b) Say something about your stay in the country, where you're going, or where you've been, etc.

- "Ich bleibe fast drei Wochen in ..." (I'm staying almost three weeks in ...)
- "Ich fahre übermorgen nach ..." (I'm going to ... the day after tomorrow.)
- "Ich besuche Freunde und Verwandte." (I'm visiting friends and relatives.)

c) Learn to listen as well as talk. Be able to ask questions and make comments to show your interest in what the other person is saying:

- “Wann wurde ... gegründet?” (When was ... founded?)
- "Wer ist/war ...?" (Who is/was ...?)
- "Das wusste ich nicht." (I didn't know that.)

d) Obviously, the old stand-by, if you did not understand:

- "Das war ein bisschen schnell!" (That was a little fast!)
- "Könnten Sie das, bitte, wiederholen!" (Could you, please, repeat that!)

3. Closing a conversation. 

It's always important to find a way to close a conversation gracefully. Germans are a little more formal about it than Americans and a little more resolute. Have a few exit lines ready!

a) Signaling the end:

- "Vielen Dank für die guten Tipps." (Thank you for the good tips.)
- “Es war nett, mit Ihnen zu reden." (It was nice to talk with you.)
- "Oh, es ist schon spät. Ich muss noch ..." (Oh, it's already late. I still have to ...)
- "Ich treffe mich noch mit Freunden." (I'll be meeting some friends.)

b) When you're leaving:

- "Jetzt muss ich leider gehen." (Unfortunately, I have to go now.)
- "Also nochmals: vielen Dank/es war richtig nett." (Again: many thanks/it was really nice.)
-  "Noch schönen Nachmittag/Abend!" (Have a nice afternoon/evening!)
- "Auf Wiedersehen!" (Goodbye!)

Practicing some of these conversational phrases and expressions ahead of time will be quite helpful and impress your German speaking contact. While such phrases will obviously not be sufficient for an intensive discussion, they will boost you confidence in speaking. The next step will be to add a few more topics and strategies to your conversational skills.

You Want to Learn German Fast?

Not everyone will agree with Benny Lewis', the Irish Polyglot's statement "Why German is easy!" But, if you are serious about learning German - and even before you buy or subscribe to any expensive courses (except GamesforLanguage.com's German 1 and German 2 courses obviously, which are FREE!) you may want to learn more about Benny's approach.

Disclosure: The link above is to a partner's program with revenue sharing, if you decide to buy or subscribe.