Family Learning: How About a New Language?

Learning a new language is one of the most difficult tasks a person can undertake, especially as age begins to creep up. Those of us who took a foreign language in high school remember the days when the teacher used to write lame sentences on the chalk board while we recited them. After high school many of us tried the cassette tape listen-and-repeat method, or flash cards, or even watching foreign television in order to retain the limited knowledge we picked up.

Often the biggest barrier to learning and remembering a new language is the lack of ability to practice in conversation. That’s where the family comes in. If you have several family members willing to participate and learn together, you immediately have a built-in source of conversational practice. Think about it for just a minute, isn’t that how we all learned English? We listened to our parents and imitated them. I know, you don’t get grammar through conversation, but most people need to be able to converse before they show any interest in grammar. And if they never learn the proper grammar, so what? They’re still better off than not being able to speak the language at all.

Getting started is simply of means of choosing a format that best suits your family’s interests and learning styles. In today’s world of technology and multimedia, most families should be able to find a variety of computer programs to chose from. One of the most popular, but also most expensive, is Rosetta Stone. This program uses sight and sound to teach a language in a very intuitive manner. Many local libraries have installed the software on their public use computers, so if you can’t afford your own copy you can complete the lessons at the library.

Regardless of the format you chose, each family member should complete the lessons at his or her own pace. Then, take every opportunity to practice with one another; from using individual vocabulary words at the dinner table, to greetings when one comes home, to making simple statements. As each one practices and helps the others, you’ll find yourselves speaking more and more in your new language.

Don’t worry about the one who seems to be lagging behind the rest of the family. Inevitably, at least one of the family members will began to lapse as the enthusiasm wears off. But as long as there are two are three committed to learning, doing so together will make it a lot more fun…and rewarding.