How I Learn a Foreign Language
I have done a few posts in the past about how learn Italian; however, for this post I’d like to revisit my methodology and summarize what had worked for me right from the beginning. Using Italian as an example, I did the following without attending any classes.
Listen to the sound. Like a child learning to speak, hearing and mimicking sounds are important. The main resources I use are: [...]
Mind-mapping to Improve Vocabulary
I found a very useful article on Italki.com about using mind-mapping to improve one’s vocabulary and I immediately plan to put it to work for my Italian language self-learning.
Mind maps are not new to me, but the concept of using it to improve my vocabulary is new and interesting.
How I Learn a Language by Reading Foreign Magazines
I find leisure reading a fun way to learn a foreign language and for those I’ve already mastered, it’s a great way to reinforce. An example of leisure reading is reading magazines IN the target language, and this is what this post is about.
I don’t indulge in fashion but I like reading about fashion. I transfer that interest to reading the subject in Italian (my target language) and have gone on to include Spanish and French.
Language Goals
I researched language fluency level and came across the Common European Framework of Reference. I reproduced the framework here so that I can come back to it in the future and gauge my fluency at any given time. My dream is, of course, to reach the “Mastery” (C2) level. However, to reach this stage I must be able to overcome what Seth Godin calls “The Dip” and in my opinion that starts at B2. Will I be able to surpass the challenge and not quit prematurely?
MY 5 AM MORNING WALKS
