The theme of the year in the polyglot community seems to be that the method doesn't matter when it comes to learning a language. And from what I gather, the reasoning behind that statement goes something like this: Polyglot A likes to translate, while Polyglot B likes to talk to people, and Polyglot C does lots of reading but no translation exercises. Since Polyglots A, B and C have all learned multiple languages using different approaches, we can therefore conclude that there is no key method to learning a language.
Although I do think you can go about learning a language in different ways, and if you keep up with lots of hard work, yes, you will make progress. And then at some point you may decide to declare that you can speak the language. However, will you be happy with the point you have reached?
If you use your foreign tongue for traveling or talking to people only once in a while, then yes you might be quite happy with what you have achieved. It can be quite a good feeling to be able to understand a language that you previously were clueless about and to make yourself understood is a rewarding experience.
But what if you actually live in the area where that language is spoken? Not just for temporary stays, but actually living and working in the environment. This situation demands a level of language far higher than the average language learner achieves. Now how well do you want to speak the language? Naturally, as well as the natives surrounding you.
You don't want to struggle to create ways of getting your thoughts across. You want it all to be readily available. Instantaneous access to your lexicon without any effort. That's what you want!
And it would be nice to have an impressive accent too.
So what do you do to achieve that? This is where "method" comes in. The right methodology will get you the right results. The wrong method will leave you trying to cover your weaknesses.
The most critical factor in a method is time. Quicker results does not equate to a better method. Be prepared to put in and plan the required number of hours. Even if your method does not accomplish much for you, more hours will produce more results. For your best method, fewer hours will produce fewer results. It appears to be mathematical, doesn't it!
Today, I'm not going to get into the methodology of language learning. However, if you are interested in finding out more from someone who has a long background in language acquisition, please visit ALG World.
ALG does work as do other methods--it. however, is not time efficient nor cost efficient. Method does INDEED matter--that's why government orgs and missionaries use a highly structured, sequential method. It produces results--and it works faster than the Kaufmann or ALG methods. TPRwhich has a lot of empirical validation is indeed the fastest way to lexican and comprehension.
ReplyDeleteThe method doesn't matter == the efficiency doesn't matter
ReplyDeleteor
the method doesn't matter == the quality doesn't matter
I very much doubt it.
I just can't buy the "method doesn't matter" argument in the least. If method doesn't matter, then, given enough time, any method should be able to get you to native-level proficiency. Does anyone really think enough time with RosettaStone will get someone to native-level proficiency? Not even RosettaStone itself will make this claim (undoubtedly for fear of lawsuits over false advertising).
ReplyDeleteThat said, people learn in different ways, so method A might not be as efficient as method B for a given learner. I would take the seemingly contrarian position that method is king in quickly learning a language, and the game should be figuring out which method works best for you--and not simply assuming that whatever method you try will work because "method doesn't matter".
I made a recent U Tube video talking about this facet of learning; Because Benny the Irish Poly Clod stated method doesn't matter. There are empirical studies for those who have the ability to do research and not be FAITH based on some vested interest approach.
ReplyDeleteLots of what you say I agree with however saying that time will solve your problems, I do not. Just imagine trying to go into the next room through a brick wall with your bare hands. You could devote your whole life to it and you still would not succeed. The tools you choose ( not a plastic spoon) and the route you choose are vitally important.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, I did not say that time will solve your problems. It is too bad that you interpreted it that way.
ReplyDeleteHi Keith.
DeleteI was just responding to your statement that "more time will produce more results".
My experience is that students will often give up if they do not get the results they are expecting ( hence the abysmal take up rates of foreign languages the world over). Unfortunately many tend to equate the lack of results with their own lack of talent, rather than with the method they may be using. So I was merely stressing this distinction so your readers look more carefully at it. You did refer to this issue...I just wanted to highlight it.
No offence intended, just collegiate banter.
cheer!
Hi Keith.
DeleteI was just responding to your statement that "more time will produce more results".
My experience is that students will often give up if they do not get the results they are expecting ( hence the abysmal take up rates of foreign languages the world over). Unfortunately many tend to equate the lack of results with their own lack of talent, rather than with the method they may be using. So I was merely stressing this distinction so your readers look more carefully at it. You did refer to this issue...I just wanted to highlight it.
No offence intended, just collegiate banter.
cheer!
Hi Keith,
DeleteNo offence intended, just responding to your " more hours will produce more results"
I wanted to highlight the fact that there are many language learners who put in the time but give up because the method they are using is flawed. They give up because they think it is their fault not the methods! For the few, methods are not so important - they seem to be able to learn under water! But most people need just the right approach to get over their failures at school etc.
You did refer to the importance of method but I wanted to highlight it as a key, rather than time. Time of course is critical an that does need to be mentioned which of course you do.
cheers!
Hi Andrew,
DeleteYes, people do give up too soon. That is why they should put in more time, I guess.
Be sure to visit the home of my new blog!
Thanks,
Keith
I think this argument has a lot to do with motivation, as well. If you have the greatest method in the world and you hate it and you don't enjoy yourself, it won't be any more effective than one of the more dodgy methods. But if you absolutely love a more dubious method and you put everything into it, you're more likely to get results.
ReplyDeleteLiv that was a non sequitur. We can also say anything in Maslow's Hierarchy will change results. In a Highly Motivated group of learners method will always produce better results. Look at DLI and FSI studies done about their methodology.
ReplyDelete