Learning About Learning

So you've decided to pick up a second language. That's great! But it's a big undertaking and learning how to learn can be half the battle! This is going to be a simple list of things you should read up on to maximize your learning potential.

How Your Brain Learns Things

Some people think that the brain is like a library and the things you learn are simply filed away. This is not quite how it works the brain uses connections to learn things. The more connections you have to something, no matter how strange and obscure the better.

Types of Learner

Not all brains learn the same way, you need to determine what type of learner you are. Perhaps reading out of books is how you learn or perhaps you need someone to read to you.

Flash Cards Are Important

Flash cards or flash card programs are easy tools to use when learning anything. You can download free apps on your phone (try memrise) that you can use anywhere just to refresh yourself. Doing this regularly helps you learn words.

The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword

Writing is a powerful tool to help the memory, it forces you're brain to concentrate in ways that typing and reading cannot.

Artificial Immersion

One of the advantages of having smiletalk but when learning a language you need to set aside an hour a day where you immerse yourself in your target language. There are online radios where you can listen to your target language but be sure to try and read and write some too. During this time allow no English articles to clutter your space as it hinders learning.

Timing is Everything

Try and aim your learning sessions for a comfortable time in the morning, preferably just after breakfast where you are less likely to be disturbed or distracted.

Time Without Effort Equals Nothing

Only have short sessions of learning, longer than an hour at a time will lead to a dip in concentration and a hatred of the subject you are trying to learn. Spread your learning throughout the day and as long as you get your main session in the morning than don't pressure yourself.

Love Learning

If you don't love what you are trying to learn than it will always be a struggle. Learn to love the culture your target language comes from!

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Benefits of Being Bilingual

Not having a second language these days is almost like being illiterate these days, almost everyone wants the numerous benefits of having a second language. Aside from the obvious benefit of being able to communicate more easily with people were you aware of the benefits to you're brain?

Benefits of a Bilingual Brains

Being bilingual is a mental workout for the brain that keeps it agile and eager to learn, as a result bilingual children often outstrip monolingual children in the classroom if the task involves paying attention. That's not all Bilingual children are often better at understanding language and articulating themselves better. The mental work out can also delay cognitive decline by two years.

Even more benefits

Remember your career guidance teacher singing the praises of having a second language, well they were right since on average bilingual people earn 25% more than their monolingual counterparts. Having a second language is attractive to an employer and demonstrates a level of intelligence that will be appreciated in the work place.

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