Helping a student learn a foreign language can be beneficial for both personal growth and for future admission into higher education. A student who speaks a foreign language is usually looked at differently in the eyes of most colleges and universities. Taking the time to learn a second or even a third language makes a student well-rounded and more appealing to admissions boards.

Learning a foreign language can present some difficulties in the world of the homeschooled child, especially if the parent or homeschool teacher is not trained or educated in the particular language that the student is being taught. However, today’s homeschooler does not have to be an expert in a foreign language in order to teach it. With some old-fashioned hard work and a little resourcefulness, any homeschooler can develop an effective and successful foreign language curriculum.

Resources for developing a curriculum are rather abundant. Online courses, websites, software programs, even the library are all excellent sources of information and services. Entrepreneurs have even gone as far as to develop foreign language instruction software specifically targeting the homeschooling industry. Power-Glide, for example, represents one of the current popular programs being used to teach foreign languages, especially in homeschool settings.

Parents of homeschooled children do not necessarily have to resort to software programs or online courses in order to effectively introduce and teach their child a foreign language at home. Besides using a traditional textbook approach for the introductory aspect of teaching a foreign language, there are a variety of other techniques and approaches that homeschoolers can use in order to supplement and facilitate their child’s learning as it applies to a foreign language.

For starters, the local library has always been an excellent source of academic and instructional material. Besides additional books and texts written in the language of choice, libraries are also good places to find audio-visual sources like books on tape and foreign language movies (either bilingual or with subtitles) that can be used as part of a foreign language curriculum.

Local are newspapers and magazines can also be a great source of material that can be used to supplement a foreign language lesson, unit, or curriculum. Searching through local newspapers can help a homeschooler find cultural and ethnic events that can be used as part of a foreign language curriculum. Learning a foreign language is one thing, but experiencing the culture and traditions (such as the music, food, or traditions) associated with another country can go a long way toward helping a child learn a new language.

Using a child’s personal interests and connecting them to similar events that take place in a foreign country can also provide students with an alternative way of understanding a new language. Some parents for example, incorporate and use foreign language television programs or even sporting events as a method of supplementing foreign language instruction. Students can watch a favorite music channel or sporting event transmitted in a foreign language in order to experience for themselves how the language is used, but in a setting that they find comfortable or familiar.

For parents who have greater financial resources, there is no substitute for actual immersion in the language they are learning. Among the options for achieving this immersion are: the possibility of traveling to another country, hosting a foreign exchange student or family, or even taking a simple weekend trip to places like “Little Italy”, “Chinatown”, or “Little Tokyo” in nearby metropolitan areas.

Many people who learn a second language mistakenly believe that they can’t learn anymore languages beyond this. In fact the opposite is true – learning languages becomes easier.

The first language you learn – your mother tongue, or native language – is the hardest. You learn by trial and error for the first years of your life, and you learn out of necessity – a pretty good motivator. Some people are born into multiple language environments, but most learn additional languages by attending school or self-study later in life.

We assume that because of the time and effort required to learn a second language, we won’t really have the ability to learn more languages later. We learn languages differently later in life than we did as a child, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As we begin to study our second language, we begin to learn and sharpen a set of skills that we don’t use completely in the other aspects of our life. As we get better at our second language, those learning skills improve. The phrase I like is – “we can learn to learn languages.”

Which brings us to learning multiple languages. There are a few tricks to learning several languages, whether you are learning them at the same time, or one at a time in succession.

Cognates – There is often some vocabulary in a language you are learning that has words in common with English or another language that you know. This is because languages are related to each other or at least borrow from each other. Use that to your advantage. When you begin to study a language, look for a list or collection of cognates. This will not only get you started on expanding your vocabulary, you will begin to recognize patterns of spelling and pronunciation that are peculiar to this language. A neat bonus is the fact that your list of potential cognates grows with each language. For
instance, when I learned ‘ayer’ in Spanish, I didn’t recognize any cognate in English, but the French word for ‘yesterday’ is ‘hier.’ It’s almost identical when you account for the slight difference in pronunciation.

Language Families – Remember that many languages are related to other languages and share many features in common. If you already know some Spanish, learning Italian or French is much easier. You already worked hard learning many of the grammar features that don’t occur in English when you studied Spanish, like gender, agreement between nouns and adjectives, and more complex verb conjugations. Now when you begin to study French, let’s say, those features are second nature and won’t require nearly as much study time and effort to learn. In addition, much of the vocabulary will be similar like in the cognate example above. Learning a related language really cuts down learning time.

Grammar – Even when you are learning a language unrelated to one you already know, you may begin to recognize how languages behave. This is partly what I mean by “learning to learn languages.” You begin to understand how languages ‘handle’ different things. You may not know the grammatical terms for parts of speech (although I recommend you begin to learn them, it will help you) but you will recognize patterns both within one language, and from one language to another. Fundamentally, all human languages operate on the same principles. With each language you learn, you will pick up on
more and more of those principles.

Time – This is your biggest advantage when learning a language. Unless you need it right away, you can spend all the time you want on it, for years and years. The greatest leaps in learning will occur at first. After that the curve will slow down, but that core knowledge that you worked on at first becomes fully entrenched. The longer you have it and continue to use it, the more it sinks in. Now, when you learn another language, you may find some interference between the languages, especially if they are related, but as long as you maintain your other language, that core understanding will always be there and it will grow in time. You won’t replace one language with another. When you need to go back to that other language, it’s still there and it comes back quickly.

Remember that learning a language is a lifetime process – no one ever really finishes learning. So, if you begin learning another language, you may not be actively studying your previous ones, but you are still learning them if you expose yourself to their use, or ‘maintain’ them.

Goal-Setting – Set your goals carefully for each language. You may find that adding another language is much easier if you know you that you don’t really need to be fluent in it. Maybe you just want to read that language. Then, you don’t need to focus on speaking and listening skills. Or maybe you just want to know a few greetings and basic conversation. Forget about heavy grammar. Focus on a few conversation skills and study accordingly.

Maintenance – To me, this is the real trick to learning several languages. By trick, I mean it is essential for your long-term success, and I also mean that it is hard to accomplish. Once you’ve learned a language, at least its basics, you need to maintain it. Use or lose it, they say. It’s true here, too. When you are learning a new language, you still need to expose yourself to the other languages that you know. As a general rule, I like to say 15 minutes a day. Read something, write an email or two to penpals, watch a movie or tv show once in a while, listen to some music etc. Then, when you need that
language for something substantial, the vocabulary and grammar and pronunciation is not so far away from you. If you hadn’t used it at all for 6 months or 6 years, I can assure you that it wouldn’t come back so easily.

Of course, the problem with this is, for each language you know, that’s 15 minutes less time for studying your new one. I think ultimately, this is what puts an upper limit on how many languages we can effectively learn. There’s nothing stopping us from learning more, but without using that knowlege on a regular basis, keeping it fresh, it tends to get away from us. Then we are ‘replacing’ one language with a fresher one. I don’t think that’s what we have in mind when we learn a language.

For myself, I have a short list of Priority 1 languages that I focus on. I expect this to be a lifetime hobby, so I’m not rushing. I also have a much longer list of languages, each with different goals. I doubt that I’ll ever hit my goals in all of these languages, but I’m sure I will hit my goals in at least some of them.

If you really enjoy learning a second language, then maybe consider a third or fourth or more. You may already be thinking ahead and wondering if you could do it. Come up with a list of priorities, set some goals and go to it.

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In today’s competitive and evolving world, the importance of education has never been more important. People are now more aware of the continuing need to improve one’s self through adult learning. Due to factors such as time constraint, e-learning has quickly emerged as an alternative means of continuing education.

As globalization continues to be the trend these days, more and more people feel the need to learn at least one foreign language. Again, due to the fast-paced lives many lead today, online courses present a viable alternative to the traditional face to face, or classroom, language learning. The major advantage of learning foreign languages through e-learning is the convenience it presents to the learner. Materials can be made available anytime, anywhere. The learner can access modules at his own time and he work on his courses at his own pace.

Computer assisted language learning has been in existence for many years now. In fact, its roots can be traced back to the 1960s. This technique began with a simple drill and practice approach. As more pedagogical elements were introduced, computer assisted language learning evolved into a more interactive experience.

The question many people ask is just how effective is learning a foreign language online? The main difference between classroom learning and e-learning is the presence of a teacher. A good teacher recognizes the learning needs of the student. In addition to that, a good teacher recognizes the learning style of each individual student. He capitalizes on both factors and enhances learning through different techniques. Due to advances is many e-learning platforms, these factors have been taken into consideration. The learner’s needs and learning styles can now be dealt with accordingly.

Today’s e-learning platforms offer a wide range of approaches to suit each learner’s specific needs. Some platforms even make use of facilitators – human or otherwise – to encourage the student and enhance the learning process. When combined with the convenience of studying at one’s own pace, e-learning proves to be an effective way of learning a new language.

Studies show that more people prefer e-learning to the traditional classroom sessions. The flexibility the e-learning offers seems to be one of the major factors that students take into consideration. Some personalities react more positively to the online learning environment. One explanation is that the relative anonymity that this type of learning gives a student more confidence. Studies show that learning languages online seems to present a more relaxed learning atmosphere. It has been proven time and again that such a learning atmosphere does a lot in terms of enhancing the learning process. The student learns more and in a shorter span of time than normal. The student also tends to remember more of what he has learned.

Online foreign language learning also capitalizes on the amount and quality of information and resources that can be found on the Internet. E-learning programs take advantage of this situation, enhancing learning even more. So if you are seeking to learn a foreign language, whether for professional or personal reasons, online learning just might be the right choice for you.

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What is Accelerated learning?

Simply put, accelerated learning is the ability to absorb and understand new information quickly, and also to be able to retain that information.

It involves the process of unleashing the abilities within us. Every one of us learn differently. Accelerated learning calls upon us to learn techniques of learning that exactly match our personal learning styles. When we are learning in our preferred ways, learning becomes natural, easier and faster. That’s why it’s called accelerated learning.

Basically, the brain can be thought of being made up of the “Left Brain” and “Right brain”. The left brain is the expert in language, mathematical processes, logical thoughts, sequences and analysis. The right brain specializes in rhythm, music, visual impressions, color, and pictures. Although each is dominant in certain activities, both sides are involved in almost all thinking. The point is that to learn the accelerated way, you must involve your whole brain.

Have you heard of the 8 intelligences? Can you name all 8 to me? There are 8 multiple intelligences : Linguistic, Logical-Mathematics, Visual-Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Naturalist as put forth by Harvard professor of education Howard Gartner. In accelerated learning, we use our strongest form of these 8 intelligences and learning will then be more enjoyable.

To master the art of accelerated learning overnight is impossible. It takes time and effort to increase the rate at which you learn. Still, let me give a brief overview of the entire process of accelerated learning. The 6 simple steps to accelerating your learning are:

Motivating the mind – motivating yourself so that you are in a confident and resourceful state that best supports learning. There are several ways, including the use of visualization, affirmations, and goals-setting.

Acquiring the information – using your personal and preferred way of absorbing the information. There are 3 distinct styles of processing information that we use. We’ll use all 3 styles, only the degree to which we use them differs and that accounts for our varying styles of learning. The 3 styles are Visual ( seeing ), Auditory ( hearing ), and Kinesthetic ( physical activities and involvement ). So, your job is to find out your preferred style of learning and use methods of learning that correspond to your style.

Searching out the meaning – when what you’re learning has meaning to you, remembering it is will be an easy feat! Again, this depends on the most dominant form of intelligence in you and how you exploit it.

Triggering the memory – recall whatever you’ve learned at will with proven memory techniques. Such techniques may include the link method, the number-shape methods and so on. You have to consider the workings of memory and learn only when your memory is in an optimal state.

Exhibiting what you know – show that you know and fully comprehend what you’ve learned. If your learning and absorption of the information have been effective, you must be able to be fully capable of showing it anytime and anywhere. If you can really show that you know, you have absolutely comprehended the material you’ve learned!

Reflecting upon what you’ve learned – learning is a continuous process; we must learn from our mistakes. Self-analysis is important as it marks the end of the accelerated learning of a skill or new knowledge. When, upon finishing your learning of something, you reflect upon the process itself.

Of course, reading about the process and not taking action will not in any way serve you to master accelerated learning. If you’re still unsure of how to proceed to really go into deeper depth into accelerated learning, you may download my free accelerated learning ebook course at: [http://self-improvement101.uni.cc/free-self-help-courses/mental/accelerated-learning.htm]

Remember, the essence of accelerated learning is in using methods of learning that really suits your natural learning style. Good luck with your quest towards accelerated learning!

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Although you may not currently be a student, learning is a life long process. Perhaps you need to learn something new for your job, or you would like to learn a new language before you take a vacation abroad, or you want to “brush up” on math so you can help your children with their homework. For many of us school and/or learning were not pleasant experiences, so we may hesitate to attempt to learn something new. Fortunately there are ways to enhance the learning experience to help make learning fun, easy, and successful. (This process works for kids too.)

“Accelerated Learning” is a system based on studies of the human mind and how knowledge is acquired. It is a powerful process that engages both the analytical and the emotional parts of the brain and uses both the conscious and the subconscious mind. The body is important to learning as well. Many of us need movement to learn. We also need to take into consideration our learning styles and our multiple intelligences. One of the important components of Accelerated Learning is the use of music.

Although any music can have an effect on your mind and body, there are particular types of music that can enhance learning, just as there are certain kinds of music that can interfere with learning. The founder of the Accelerated Learning movement, Dr. Georgi Lozanov, experimented with a wide variety of music in his research. He found that Baroque music affects the emotional centers of the brain as well as the heart and breathing. Today there are a number of composers who have designed music to enhance our learning abilities. I use both Baroque music and the specially designed music in all the classes I teach. At the end of this article there is a list of music that my students prefer.

This is by no means a complete list. Experiment to find out what suites you. One of the most important considerations is that the background music does not have words that you might sing consciously (or unconsciously), as that would interfere with information acquisition. You can use highly rhythmic music as a base for creating rhymes or raps or jingles to help you memorize lists or processes.

Preparation for learning is another key component of Accelerated Learning. There are several things you can do to assist your body and mind to get into a receptive state for learning. In addition to your traditional learning tools (books, computer program, paper, pens, etc.) you will need a cassette or CD player and your “learning” music in your learning space. If you prefer comfort to learn, you might choose an easy chair, if you need structure, a desk or a table would be better for you.

Before you open your book, or start your program, spend a few minutes getting ready to learn. Since an ideal state for learning is in a relaxed body with an alert mind, do a brief relaxation exercise with the music in the background. Then bring to mind a successful learning experience that you have had in the past – any kind of learning. Try to re-create the joy and pleasure you felt while you were learning and the satisfaction you felt when you succeeded.

After spending a few moments in this pleasant experience, begin your current learning experience. If you find that you start to tense up, pause, take a few deep breaths, listen to the music for a few moments, and resume learning. Take frequent breaks and briefly review what you have learned when you return.

Some Baroque selections include Handel’s Water Music, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Pachebel’s Canon in D Major and Mozart’s Symphony in D Major (“Haffner”). OptimaLearning has created several volumes of specially compiled Baroque music for learning and productivity. The Sound Health Series by the Center for Psychoacoustical Research includes classical music for learning, concentration, thinking, motivation, inspiration, and relaxation.

Some of the specially created music by Stephen Halpern has subliminal messages, but you can find his Music for Accelerated Learning and Music for Creativity without subliminals. He has a variety of relaxing CDs as well. Daniel Kobialka uses Pachelbel’s Canon in his composition Timeless Motion and it is my personal favorite.

So, use music, relaxation, and positive visualization to make learning easier and more fun.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lorna_Minewiser