Language study tools to boost your learning

Before you even start learning a new language you should be clear about your reasons for study, time available and set some realistic goals for yourself.

• Try to find out what sort of learner you are and how you like to learn. You can use the learning style questionnaire in the resource box below.

• Why are you learning a language and what are your learning goals? How quickly do you hope to achieve them? Are you trying to blitz your learning by attending a summer school in England, or are you relying on a couple of Spanish friends to practise with?

• How much time do you have available for learning and practising your language?

• What support do you have available and what resources do you have to hand?

• What do you need to keep you motivated?

Having thought about the where, what, when, who and why of your language learning it can be useful to draw all this together into a Needs Analysis and a resultant Action Plan. You can find templates for these in ULC’s very handy resource file listed below.

All of this helps you identify what you need and think about how you are going to be able to get it. Referring back to this and keeping an activity log as you learn helps keep you motivated as you start your learning.

• Don’t forget to be active – you need to be speaking and writing too. If you are going to an English school in England, get out there and chat to the locals! Always speak to your language school class mates in your target language and try and find a conversation buddy you can practice speaking with one-on-one.

• Read aloud to rehearse the correct pronunciation. Why not record yourself so you can hear how you sound?

• Use text-based internet chat to improve your conversational style and speed of response.

• Ask those you email to correct your email when they reply.