Even though to be a second language learner is not like acquiring the first one, we might find techniques and ways to improve the process and become a successful second language learner.
To Acquire or to Learn
Linguists consider there is a big difference between language acquisition and language learning.
Babies acquire their mother tongue through interaction with their parents and relatives besides the environment that surrounds them.
As experts suggest, there is an innate capacity in every human being to acquire language.
By the time a child is five years old, s/he can express clear and complete ideas from effective communication and grammar.
Even though parents never explain to their children the mechanisms of the language, their utterances show an excellent command of rules and patterns.
Natural Communication a Way to Success
Through exposure to the language and meaningful communication is how the first language is acquired.
You might become a successful second language learner if you try to find the chance of being exposed to real conversations.
Babies do not need systematic studies of any kind of rule.
When it comes to second language learning in children, it happens almost identically to their first language acquisition.
Especially when teachers set a learning environment as a source of natural communication.
Awkwardly, when it comes to adult students, we find that communication is a little set-aside.
Many courses out there promise you language independence and the ability to communicate.
Thus they do not offer you a single chance to engage in meaningful conversations.
Sometimes you find yourself just listening and repeating, which is not bad, but you need the chance of producing effective information to your interlocutor.
Listening is essential but sometimes you find yourself in front of a computer screen watching a native speaker speaking and speaking and speaking.
Then, you never speak or answer back fluently expressing an idea.
How Could You Be Expected to Communicate If You Are Never Given the Chance to Speak?
Language without real communication is useless and makes no sense.
Language learning is sometimes not communicative.
It is the result of direct instruction in the rules of language and it is not appropriate for your young learners and adults either.
Successful second language learner students are conscious about their knowledge and the rules of the new language, but they can talk about that knowledge.
They get excellent grades in a grammar test but they also can speak for hours.
Nevertheless; a student who has just memorized the rules of the language may be able to succeed only on a standardized test of the English language but may not be able to speak or write correctly.
In our Spanish School, you have the chance to not only listen and learn about rules, but we guide you through the process of communicating effectively.
We help you to speak and we give you all the tools you need to really express yourself with Spanish speakers in Costa Rica and all Latin America.
What Can I Do to Boost my Knowledge and Be a Successful Learner?
- Take every opportunity the teacher gives you to speak in class or with your classmates in everyday activities.
- Try to think in Spanish, imagine how would you express about something you are watching at the moment using what you know.
- Forget about your fear to commit mistakes or mispronounce, just do it.
- Surround yourself with the intended language for some minutes every day.
- Readout loud, this is an amazing way to improve your fluency.
- Record yourself and listen to your recordings you´ll find how useful it is.
- Finally; do not forget your home works, they are an important support to the new content learned in class.
At Spanish Pura Vida School we want to help you to really be a successful second language learner, come and join us.