语言学习策略 Some Strategies to Learn a Foreign Language

Learning a foreign language is an enriching
undertaking. To make the most of your experience, you may need to develop some
specialized strategies. Here are some principles to keep in mind.

1. Language is more than a set of grammar rules.
Although structural accuracy is an important component of communication, you
must also learn how to communicate in a manner that is appropriate to the
situation. Likewise, in addition to building a large vocabulary, you will also
need to learn ways of paraphrasing so that you will be able to communicate
effectively when you don’t know an expression or it has slipped your mind. Body
language and gestures are also important communicative strategies.

2. Active language use is far more important than
talking about language. The ability to recite the rules of English grammar does
not guarantee that you will actually be able to communicate in the language.
Spend your time communicating in the language, creating messages, obtaining
information, listening for details and so on.

3. Don’t be afraid of making errors. Errors are a
natural part of the language learning process and no one can avoid them. Do not
let fear of making an error prevent you from communicating. Even if your
language ability is not perfect, your message may be understood. Of course,
accurate use of language is an appropriate goal of language study.

4. Language learning is a long-time process. Therefore
you must have realistic expectations of your performance after one semester,
one year, or several years of language learning. Advanced proficiency is often
best achieved after long period of practice and residence in a country where
the target language is spoken.

5. Be an active language learner. Study models, look
for patterns, and make informed guesses, study idioms. If you do not entirely
understand a passage, do not ask for a translation immediately. Make use of the
language you already know or words that may be related to other words you know.
Although language learning can be hard work, your efforts will be rewarded with
a deeper understanding of yourself and the global village of which you are a
citizen.