How to learn a language
Why are you learning English or another language?  This is an important question to ask yourself or the student you are teaching.  English is a relitively easy language to learn because the grammar is less complicated than other languages and English is made up of international words.  There are many people all over the world learning English, so there are many text books, tapes, CDs, videos, DVDs and courses to choose from.  In most cities there will be a language school teaching English.  There are also lots of websites designed to help teachers and students.
*  What is your learning style? - Are you a visual, kinesthetic or
    auditory learner?
    Visual: Use personal photographs and describe the people or
              the place in the photos.  Learn new vocabulary by
              walking round your house and naming what you see.
    Kinesthetic: Use games to help you learn.  Find a friend and
               revise vocabulary (say a word, then throw the ball
               to your partner) - this works well for phrasal verbs.
               Take your lesson away from the table and study a
               topic in the park or in a cafe.  When you go to a cafe
               or restaurant, have a list of key words and phrases
               ready for you to revise them and use them.
    Auditory: Tapes and CDs should be good for you.  If you
               are trying to learn some new words, play a piece of
               music on repeat and learn the new vocabulary.  When
               you need to remember the word, think of the music
               and you will remember the word.  For example, listen
               to the sound of the sea when learning about holidays.
               Also go to the cafe when learning cafe language, it
               will put the language in context.
    You might be a mixture of two or three learning styles.  Try
    as many as you want.
*  Why are you learning?
    -  If you are a student in a class, you may     be following a  
    course book.  Sometimes this will be boring.
    Make it more interesting by using the grammar to talk about
    something you want to talk about.
    -  If you are studying at home a good dictionary or access to
    the internet (on-line dictionary) is important.  If you find books
    boring, it is probably because the book is not teaching you what
    you want to learn.  If you never catch trains, don't learn the
    vocabulary or do the exercises.  BUT, please do the grammar. 
    You will need the grammar later!
    -  A phrase book is a good way to start.  Find one with a small
    dictionary at the back.  This will contain the commonly used
    words.  Put a star (*) next to all the words you recognise and
    all the words that look easy to remember - then test yourself. 
    A mini dictionary with 80% stars is an excellent sign of
    progress and will boost your confidence.
    -  You don't have to follow a book from start to finish.  I advise
    to use two or three books, bought or borrowed from the library
    plus your dictionary.  Learn what you want and what you need.
Return to Catholic Resources and Learn English.
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