First things first...
What is language? And how is language acquired? Before we get right into the language you want to learn, we want to feed you with some basic information on what constitutes the learning and teaching of languages. Enjoy!
What is language?
Language is, at its core, a means of communication. Looking closer, there are several aspects that define language.
Systematic
Language is systematic in that it has a set of rules. This means that new phrases can be created and still understood. For this reason, language is creative.
Arbitrary
Language is arbitrary in that there is no connection between words and their meanings. Words must be assigned a meaning, in both spoken and written forms.
Symbolic
Language is symbolic in that is is represented with a set of symbols. There are many ways this can be done, including the use of alphabets and characters.
Learned
Language is not passed down genetically. It must be learned as one grows, and must be taught to younger generations. For this reason, a language may change over time.
So, how is language used to communicate?
Let's talk about
the ways languages
can be taught
There are quite a few ways a language can be taught. You've likely come across several or a mixture of different styles because incorporating elements of each can be effective. For many students, a single method doesn't always work. Here are a couple methods you'll probably notice in your classes, and how you can work with them to get the most out of your language learning.
What affects
how students
can learn?
There are many factors that can determine what and how much a student of a language will learn. One size never fits all, and overall success in language acquisition can improve when students and teachers recognize individual learner differences. There are many differences between students, and we'll go through a few here.
Maintaining A Growth Mindset
Not getting too stuck in any one learning style is the most effective way to reach a growth mindset. If an individual is constrained to a single learning style, they likely will not have a full comprehension of the language they are attempting to learn. It is also important to recognize which aspects of language prof-iciency are best suited to be learned by each different style. For example, a student may be more comfortable learning pronunciation and flow in their target language through the communicative approach which emphasizes one’s ability to speak and share ideas.
On the other hand, this approach to learning may cause blocking and frustration if applied to more grammatical lessons where the focus of knowledge is on word placement and under-standing of what specifically makes the correct conjugation of something. Oftentimes, students find themselves moving from a growth to a more closed mindset if their language class only operates in one learning style. Recognizing these styles as your tools and pathways to compre-hension, communication, and truly knowing a language will encourage you to put in the effort to master these different skills and dive deep into your target language.
What are direct and indirect learning strategies?
Not everyone learns the same way. That is why it’s important to figure out your own, personal learning strategy, to make the journey as pleasant as possible. There are direct strategies and indirect strategies. This should not imply that one has to choose between the two, but rather that there are different strategies to apply to enhance the learning process. Broadly speaking, direct strategies are those that involve interaction with the target language, while indirect strategies deal with the organization and emotions of language learning.
Direct Strategies
In the beginning of language learning, memory strategies are frequently used to facilitate learning. These strategies involve finding a meaning for learned contents to make sure one can remember them better. In the instance of vocabulary learning, this can mean doodling an image of the word or forming a sentence with it. Cognitive strategies are a form of self-manipulation, in which the learner tries to put themselves into the role of a native speaker. Finally, there are compensation strategies, which, as the name suggests, revolve around compensating a lack of proficiency, especially grammar and vocabulary. This can involve making educated guesses about unknown words.
Indirect strategies
Metacognitive strategies mostly deal with the question: How do I learn? They involve realizing one’s own cognitive abilities and structuring the way of learning accordingly. On a deeper level, affective strategies help a learner structure their process on an emotional level, which includes regulating anxiety and aiding motivation. This is important because it sets the frame for language learning: Fear of failure can be a major inhibition to a healthy learning process. Social strategies emphasize the interpersonal aspect of language learning. They help the learner in interaction with speakers of the target language, with methods such as asking questions or cooperating with others. Basically, interaction with speakers of a language improves your skills in that language.
Metacognitive Learning
To even do this, one should consider the amount of sleep they’re getting, external stressors on their life, and having a balanced diet; factors that all contribute to one’s physical capability for academic success. Next would be to examine the new material and identify what prior knowledge is going to help you understand the concepts being presented and how you best learned similarly structured concepts before. If the new material is entirely foreign and not coming with ease, it would be good for the learner to connect with peers, their professor, or even native speakers of their target language to find supplemental resources that will assist in learning success.With these new strategies and resources at hand, a metacognitive learner would make a realistic study plan with a variety of techniques from worksheets, to flashcards, to daily real life application of the material. Sticking to this plan with putting too much pressure on yourself is the best approach as it gives one the ability to take their time and avoid late, restless nights, cram sessions, and boring themselves to quitting with overwhelming work. These successes build off of each other gradually and all contribute to an individual living their best life as a student and a human being.
Having a metacognitive cycle when approaching language learning is essential as it will give the learner a fully encompassing grasp on their needs not only regarding their target language but also as a whole individual. This approach to learning acknowledges the different bases of understanding how your success as a learner is determined by intertwining factors regarding your physiological and academic standing. 
This way of learning encourages you to set clear and attainable goals keeping in mind your needs for breaks, supplemental study, and consistency in practice. If one avoids taking the time to address these aspects of study, they will face burnout very quickly and reach a standstill in their language journey. This includes taking into account which learning style is best suited for your area of study, which practice techniques are most effective for your own memory, what sort of tasks are encouraging vs discouraging, and how to stay focused while studying. One example of creating this cycle would be taking the time to plan and form study habits that accompany the style of learning best suited to the current unit topic.
