10+ Tips To Make Learning a Language Fun, Easy and Fearless

Hello language enthusiast,

The fact is, learning a new language shouldn’t be a one-size-fit process. And the way you approach it makes it hard or easy because your motivation in general is what also makes a big difference too! When it comes to learning a new language, everyone has different personal goals and It is also a matter of knowing your learning style (check my previous blog on the topic “what language learning styles do you prefer?”).

First of all, avoid starting with the hardest languages to learn such as; German (with its three grammatical genders), Finnish (with its complicated grammar rules), and Japanese (with its entirely new writing system) These are all known as some of the hardest languages to learn just to name but a few. But you know what? Don’t let these deter you!

However, getting started with the easiest languages should be the smartest thing to do. Thus, starting off on the right foot by choosing from either; French, Spanish, Italien, Portuguese or Dutch would be a great adventure. Once you’ve got these figured out, you can determine the strategic steps you need to take to make your language learning easy,  fun and fearless.

I) Carve out a few minutes in your daily routine to practice through listening. You can listen to a language tapes, a language podcast, a song and anything to increase your vocabulary!

II) Keep a notebook with new vocabulary so you can see and keep track of your progress.

III) Start learning with your language tutor or coach to reach a level of basic comprehension and speaking ability.

IV) Study intelligently by hitting your deadlines, and plan your studying so you learn a little bit each day because language learning is cumulative.

V) If you’re confused and struggling with a concept, seek extra help from your language coach to get individualized help once or twice a week. Grammatical concepts also build upon one another, so it’s important to clear up confusion before it grows.

VII) Keep a language journal, so you can remember unique conversations, new words, and your experience in general.

VIII) Take advantage of every opportunity for interaction by combining your language learning with learning in a class, with a tutor, or with a language partner, don’t be shy!

IX) Join a language meetup or other social group to have fun while improving your language skills, in addition to making new friend of the target language.

X) Explore different teaching and learning styles to find the one that is most effective and enjoyable for you.

XI) Watching interesting films in the language to understand native speakers. You can start by watching them with English subtitles and then progress to just listening to them as normal.

XII) A few minutes of conversation every day can help you progress and get used to the particular language accent.

XIII) Learning conversational vocabulary and colloquial expressions are key to enable you carry out a social conversation and understand those around you. Focusing on themes of vocabulary that are most useful (for example, activities and hobbies, food, etc.).

Now that you're clear on how to make learning a language fun, easy and fearless, it's time to get started! Need a language coach.

Please comment below what tips you will start using to make your language learning fun, easy and fearless.

To learn a new language, VILA Institute got you covered. You can join my free French online whatsapp community by the link below.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/HBhfg5ROCB5GBulP3F8Tm7

To your learning
of languages,

FrenchLadyDisi
Your Language Tutor.

Top 9 Adult Benefits of Learning a Foreign language

Hi language lovers,

Aquiring a second language in adultehood enables us to develop various mental abilities. In a globalized world, where mobility is facilitated, learning a language is a wonderful benefit. Not only does it help when traveling, it is also a great advantage for studying in general and for career prospects abroad.

1. Improves Memory : Use it or lose it. How many times have you heard that phrase? It is a simple fact – the more the brain is used, the better its functions work. A new language requires not only familiarity with vocabulary and rules, but also being able to recall and apply this knowledge. Learning a language gives your memory a good work out in the brain gym. This means that multilingual people have brains that are more exercised and Stretched.

2. Boosts Brain Power : A foreign language is a whole new intricate system of rules, structures, and lexis. Learning a new language means your brain has to cope with complexity as it makes sense of and absorbs new patterns. As our brains work out the meaning, endeavoring to communicate, we develop key learning skills such as cognitive thinking and problem solving. Highly developed critical thinking skills are a significant benefit both personally and professionally.

3. Keeps The Mind Sharper and Sharpened For Long : Several studies have been conducted on this topic, and the results are consistent. Language learning keeps your brain healthy. For monolingual adults, the mean age for the first signs of dementia is 71.4. For adults who speak two or more languages, the mean age for those first signs is 75.5. Studies considered factors such as education level, income level, gender, and physical health, but the results were consistent. It is no superise multilingual people are better at observing their surroundings. They easily spot anything that is irrelevant or deceptive. They’re also better at spotting misleading information. The study was conducted comparing multilingual and monolingual subjects and the former notably had the edge.

4. Enhances The Ability To Multi Task : Multi tasking is very stressful for those who are not used to it or don’t do it well. According to a study from the Pennsylvania State University, people who are multilingual and proficient at slipping from one language system to another are practiced at this very demanding work for the brain. People who have developed the ability to think in different languages and move from one to the other become much better multi taskers, reducing stress levels.

5.  Enhances Decision Making : According to a study from the University of Chicago, decision-making ability becomes an easier process for multilingual people. Aside from the rules and vocabulary that go with learning a foreign language, there are nuances and regional expressions that a student of language frequently judges for appropriateness and hidden meanings. Multilinguals are more confident in their decision-making choices as a result of practice, practice, practice!

6. The First Language Is Improved : Learning a new language makes you more conscious of the nuts and bolts of your own language. Terms such as vocabulary, grammar, conjugation, comprehension, idioms and sentence structure become everyday phrases, whereas your own language is probably absorbed more intuitively. Learning a new language also makes you a better listener as you are used to having to interpret meaning and judge nuances.

7. Improves Performance In Other Academic Areas : As a result of higher cognitive skills, studies show that the benefits of learning a new language include higher scores on standardized exams in math, reading comprehension and vocabulary by multilingual students compared to the scores of monolingual students. Children may ask why they have to learn this language, but parents and teachers know better! Language skills boost your ability to do well in problem solving tasks across the board, a fact recognized through compulsory foreign language learning curriculum in schools.

8. Increases Networking Skills : Opening up to a culture allows you to be more flexible and appreciative of other people’s opinions and actions. As a result, if you are multilingual, you have the advantage of seeing the world from different viewpoints, enhancing your ability to communicate in today’s globally connected world.

9. Provides Better Career Choices : According to Eton Institute’s Language Development in the Workforce survey (September 2014), 89% of our clients stated that multilingual employees add value to the workforce and 88% stated that recruiting team members with language skills is important to their organization. A multilingual ability is definitely a competitive edge in today’s world.

Recap : Language learning helps develop strong cognitive skills, such as a better concept formation, mental flexibility, multitasking, listening skills and problem solving, in addition to improving social interaction and encouraging connection between peers.

Learn a new language and start enjoying the benefits of a sound mental health as an adult.

Comment below what benefits you would like to experience by learning a foreign or global language .

To your learning
of languages,

FrenchLadyDisi
Your Language Tutor. 

What Language Learning Style Do You Prefer?

There are about eight different learning  styles in Human Behaviour.

Hi language lovers,

But for the purpose of Learning languages, we will be concentrating on only five.
Our different learning types should be nurtured and celebrated, and identifying their characteristics can help us learn better. When people identify the style that suit them best, they tend to stick with it. However, research has shown that the most effective study comes from blending different learning styles together. Everyone has a mix of learning styles and techniques.

There is no right mix. Nor are your styles fixed. You can develop ability in less dominant styles, as well as further develop styles that you already use well even in learning a new language. By recognizing and understanding your own learning styles, you can use techniques better suited to you. This improves the speed and quality of your language learning.

The 5 Different Language learning styles are as follows :

• Physical (kinesthetic): Physical learners prefer and involves using your body, as well as your sense of touch ‘hands’ to learn. Physical language learners learn by doing, touching, moving, building, and are described as a ‘hands-on”. If you find it difficult to sit still for long periods of time, chances are you’re a physical language learner. That is to say that you are also scientific in nature and must interact with objects in order to learn about them.

• Aural (auditory): Aural learners prefer using sound and music. Auditory learners develop understanding and memory by hearing and listening to music in the background. If you find it easier to understand spoken instructions rather than reading them, then aural language learning will benefit you. But it can also be a person who learns best while humming, whistling, toe-tapping, tapping their pencil on the desk or wiggling. For this person, music isn’t a distraction but instead actually helps the language learning process.

• Logical (mathematical): Logical learners prefer using logic, reasoning and systems. They often learn by asking a lot of questions because they want to understand the whole picture.  They also tend to understand relationships or patterns, numbers and equations, better than others. They are natural thinkers who learn by classifying, categorizing and thinking abstractly about patterns & relationships etc.

• Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing. Verbal learners practice things like reciting information out loud, writing their own notes and highlighting key points. Having a passion for words, writing, tongue twisters, rhymes, may indicate that this learning style is for you in your quest for language acquisition. For example, a linguistic learner wanted to tackle a skill of learning a new language, their best method of learning would be to read about it, then listen to an audio recording and take notes on it. Finally, concretizing it would require speaking about it and possibly, writing about it extensively.

• Visual (spatial): You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding. someone who can learn best from diagrams, pictures, graphs would be a visual or spatial learner. These people tend to be technically-oriented. Visual learning types do well when they use symbols, boxes, charts, and colors in their notes. If you find you learn language better by reading and looking at pictures, diagrams, and graphs then chances are you’re a visual learner.

Leave a comment below stating how you will use this information.

To your learning

of languages,

FrenchLadyDisi 

Your Language Tutor. 

Which Type of language learner are you?

Hi language lovers,

What are your language goals? When learning any language it is necessary for you to set a short term goal or long term goal, as the circumstances may be. If you are setting a short term goal it could be a one month goal, three months goal or five months goal, with a follow up plan or timetable as the case may be. Then, if it's a long term goal it could be a six months goal, one year goal or one year three months goal as the case presents it's self, with follow up plans to accomplish Your goals.

• Learning to study or live overseas: In this language-learning context you have a compelling reason to actually learn the language even though it's an extrinsic motivation. But with enough determination you can achieve your language goal in no time.

• Learning for school credit: This could be another booster for you to learn the language so as to get good credits to pass your course. Also it's an outer force that propels you because you don't want to fail.

• Learning for an up coming vacation: Well in this case, the force to impress new friends and let them know your learning their language is a good kick off. This will make your retention of the language quicker and interesting

• Learning for business or career: Hitting your sales target in your business or career could be an even better motivation to learn a new language. It inspires you to put in your all to learn the language faster and better for effective communication in your endeavour. 

• Learning for fun: In this aspect, I'll say it is self determination and discipline that will make you to achieve your language gaol that to you set to acquire this language skill. 

Comment below what type of language learner you are.

To your learning
of languages,

FrenchLadyDisi
Your language Tutor.

VILA Institute is finally official. Hurray!!!

Hi Language lovers,

I am super excited because one of my greatest ambition was partially launched on Tuesday, 20th November 2018. A free version of  French VILA Training on my WhatApp group chat and I had [V.F.T] 38+ persons in attendance that joined the group prior to Tuesday for the start up.

Classes was scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays respectively. Time was slated for  11am to 12:30pm. Then Fridays is for Questions and Answers session same time. Course outline are to be presented on a weekly bases.

You see, I know it's not going to be all rosey. I know there are going to be days that I'll feel like quitting, giving up,  shutting down but I have resolved that no matter what I'll stay put through thick and thin....

I'll keep at it, I'll read, I'll learn new skills. Make more researches, discover better ways to teach a language and learn how to motivate my students to learn a foreign language. Experiment by trial and error.  Most importantly laugh out loud about any and every mistake I make on the journey of teaching and learning languages.

But i'll make absolutely sure I learn from my mistakes. Give people a chance to prove their selves in the process. Help build my students confidence, damage their fears, as we all know FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real, but I say FAKE Evidence Appearing Real because the fear is only in our head, it's not there it's so FAKE. I'll help create a relaxed and serene atmosphere in class, that will trigger excitement for learning.

Language acquisition should be fun not dull and boring or exhausting and challenging. And I am the opposite of all these negative attributes above. Also language learning should be more of practicals not theories. My language Institute is out to set a pace in the world of teaching languages, achieve feats that has never been accomplished in the history of our great nation Nigeria.

As a linguist and a language freak, I desire to achieve this and much more in the future.

Leave a comment stating if you would like to try our offline or online global or local language programmes.

To your learning
of languages,

FrenchLadyDisi
Your Language Tutor

6 Social Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language

Hi guys,

 In this article, I will be showing you
 6 social benefits of learning a foreign language because despite the evidence that learning a foreign language is incredibly beneficial, many people  remain monolingual. Even with language courses in schools, majority of young adults speak only one language. Learning a language as a child can avoid many roadblocks that adults and young adults frequently face.

Learning a language isn’t just beneficial for practical reasons, like boosting your career options — it’s great for improving your social life too. Now let’s delve into six social benefits you’ll receive from learning a foreign language:

1) Communication
Picture this — you just got dropped off in a country you’ve always wanted to visit. Now what? Are you going to pull out a travel dictionary to find everything you need? You shouldn’t, because a translation book will not benefit your experience at all.
Knowing a foreign language will open up an entire new world for you. Even though English is one of the most-spoken languages in the world, it can be difficult to find someone who can speak English for every situation. One of the greatest joys of learning a language is being able to speak it with the locals. By communicating with native speakers, you’ll learn more about the language, your surroundings, and other people very quickly.
Making connections with others is a big part of improving your language skills. For example, if you communicate with a foreign student, maybe they’ll recommend a class you can take to improve your accent. If you speak to a hotel clerk, perhaps they’ll give you a list of places they think tourists would like to see. You’ll never know what you’ll learn from other people by communicating in their language.

2) Heritage
For families who have ties to another country (i.e. descendants), learning the family’s language can help connect you with your heritage. By learning the “family language” earlier on, children can grow up with a strong sense of pride for their cultural background.
Some cities with high populations of heritage speakers have schools with bilingual or immersion programs in response to growing demand. Some high schools offer courses that allow students to earn credit while advancing more quickly in their target language. These programs also let students focus on elements of the language that may be the most useful for them.

3) Early Career Preparation
Many communities in the United States have become increasingly diverse over the years. The number of foreign-language speakers in the U.S. has increased by 32% since 2000. Hiring managers may prefer (or require) applicants who speak more than one language, especially if a non-English language is prominent in the hiring area.
It’s a good idea to learn another language much earlier than just before you apply for jobs. That way, you’ll have a head start and your proficiency will be higher. Some of the more common languages in the U.S. (other than English ) include: Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, French, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, German, Navajo, and American Sign Language.

4) New Ways of Thinking
Speaking multiple languages means being able to think in more than one way. For students, this flexible way of thinking means schoolwork often becomes more manageable. Research has shown that students who learn a second language jump ahead of their peers cognitively.
According to a study by the National Institute of Health (NIH) , bilingual children can switch between tasks more quickly than monolingual children. The reason is because bilingual brains are wired to toggle back and forth between languages, depending on the circumstances. Therefore, switching between tasks is as natural to them as switching between languages.
An article by The Hanen Centre states that bilingual individuals can focus more easily on specific tasks. Attention and problem-solving increases as individuals become more proficient in another language. In terms of academics, bilingual children tend to outscore classmates not only in language, but also in math and science.

5) Global and Multicultural Perspective
Learning a language often means learning about the culture associated with it. Children who are familiar with several cultures will become familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of each. In turn, they’ll likely find it easier to understand and be more accepting of people from other cultures.
According to a research paper from Osaka Jogakuin College , children who are bilingual and bicultural from a young age may not adopt exactly the same proportions of each culture; rather by trial and error, they’ll decide what works best for them. This process may not always be a conscious decision — they’ll choose which cultural elements to adapt simply by experiencing the elements of both.
Regardless of how they identify with each culture, bicultural children are placed in a unique position — they’re able to connect with groups in ways that not everyone can. Individuals with bilingual capabilities tend to have a larger global perspective than monolinguals.

6) Proficiency and Accent
Accents are typically developed over time as individuals increase their proficiency. One benefit of having an accent is being able to deliver clear dialogue to other native speakers. Children have the advantageous opportunity to learn a language to native (or near-native) proficiency and speak with little to no accent.
Many studies on the subject share the theme that “the younger the individual is when he/she is exposed to a new language, the greater the probability of acquiring native pronunciation, as well as proficiency in that language.”
The most well-equipped ages for language learning range from preschool or kindergarten age to around age 12. Older beginners can still learn a language quite well, but it may take them longer, and moreover, their accent will likely never match that of a native speaker. It’s never too early or too late to learn, however, for those who want to benefit from learning a foreign language.

If you know more social benefits of language learning, please leave a comment below stating them.

To your learning
of Languages,

FrenchLadyDisi
Your Language Tutor. 

Top 9 Unbelievable Health Merits of Learning Foreign Languages

Hello language lovers,

In today's blog post, I'll be enumerating a maximum of 9 Unbelievable health merits of learning foreign language:

Language learning can make you smarter, improve your decision-making. So, now is the time to dust off your French JSS or Primary textbook? Now let’s have a closer look at what you stand to gain.

1. Better Decision-Making Skills
Being able to speak another language can help you make better decisions. Studies from the University of Chicago have shown that people who speak another language are better able to pick up nuances and subtleties in any given situation.
A heightened appreciation of the complexities of a situation can lead to more rational decision-making in many areas of life. Monolingual people, on the other hand, tend to base their decisions more on emotions. In other words, speaking another language can improve your life through better decision-making.

2. Improved Memory
Learning a foreign language helps improve memory. A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology aimed to find out what effect learning a foreign language had on a child’s memory.
This study found that bilingual children performed much better than monolingual children on tasks using their working memory. (Working memory deals with the storage and processing of information over a short period of time.) The conclusion of the study was that knowledge of more than one language had contributed to their better working memory.
If you think you would benefit from a better working memory in your education, or daily life, then learning a foreign language might be just what you need

3. Increased Attention Span
But the benefits for your study skills don’t stop there! Speaking a second language helps you focus, and deal with distractions appropriately, according to a study in the journal Brain and Language .
A bilingual person is accustomed to switching between different languages, deciding which is the appropriate language to use in a given situation (and which language should be avoided). This gives the brain plenty of practice in focusing and filtering information.
Basically, a bilingual person will be better at concentrating on what they’re doing – such as studying, reading or writing – and block out any noise or distractions.

4. Improved Ability To Multitask
Related to your attention span is your ability to multi-task. A study by the NIH discovered that because bilinguals have better working memories, can focus their attention, and can disregard distractions, they are able to switch between tasks quickly and easily (just as they are able to switch between languages).
Speaking two languages, and switching between them, makes you better at multi-tasking in other tasks, too.

5. Increased Perceptual Sensitivity
The benefits of multiple languages can start as early as before a baby is able to speak. A psychologist from the University of British Columbia found that babies who are raised in bilingual households are able to distinguish different languages when they are spoken, even if they are not familiar with those languages.
For example, a baby raised in a house where Spanish and Catalan are spoken, would also be able to tell the difference between a totally different pair of languages, such as English and French. Essentially, exposure to two languages early on contributes to a person’s perceptual sensitivity with unfamiliar things.
What this perceptual sensitivity could mean, is that babies raised with two languages will find it easier to learn other languages later in life, as a result of the ability to easily distinguish between different sounds.
So, if you’d like your child to grow up to be a polyglot, start them early on a second language!

6. Better Cognitive Abilities
Bilingual people have also been shown to have better cognitive abilities than monolinguals. Research from the University of Edinburgh suggests that specifically, bilingual people score better on tests of reading, verbal fluency and intelligence, all of which undoubtedly help bilinguals be better students.
Interestingly, this is regardless of what age the person learns the foreign language, so even a person who learns a foreign language as an adult will benefit from these improved skills.
Learning a foreign language can, in this way, help you learn other subjects too.

7. Improved First Language
By learning another language, your mother tongue can improve as a result . As you learn a second language, your knowledge of grammar improves. This linguistic awareness then transfers back to your first language.
With a greater appreciation for the mechanics of your first language, you can become a better writer, speaker, and communicator, with all the benefits that entails.
Want to become more articulate in your mother tongue? Learning another language might be a good first step!

8. Bigger Brain
In fact, as crazy as it may sound, learning a foreign language can actually increase the size of your brain. A group of Swedish scientists did an MRI study which showed that certain parts of the brain were bigger in people who had learnt a foreign language.
In this study, two groups of subjects underwent brain scans. One group did an intensive language course for three months while the other, the control group, did intensive courses in a subject that was not a language. What the scientists found was that specific parts of the language learners’ brains became bigger than those of the non-language learners.
While at the moment it’s not clear what this could mean, I’ll take a bigger brain any day!
[Tweet “Learning a foreign language increases the size of your brain!”]

9. Delayed Onset Of Dementia
Given all the benefits outlined in this article, it’s hardly surprising that learning a foreign language keeps your brain healthy for longer. Scientists, in the largest study yet to study the effects of bilingualism and dementia, have found that people who can speak more than one language tend to develop dementia up to five years later than monolingual people.
Speaking more than one language provides constant exercise for your brain, and keeping your brain active is one way in which to delay the onset of dementia.

Leave a comment below stating which point resonates more with you.

To your learning
of Languages,

Frenchladydisi
Your Language Tutor.