New Skillshare Course: How to Amplify your Language Learning!

For the last few weeks, I’ve been working on my newest class for Skillshare which officially launched earlier this week. 

If you’re not familiar, Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes on everything from business to graphic design to fashion – it’s the Netflix of learning.

My latest class, How to Amplify your Language Learning!, is on how to accelerate your language learning, where you’ll learn simple tools and techniques based upon scientific principles that have been tried and tested by me. I’m proud of what I’ve created and I’d really appreciate if you’d help me out by watching my class. New videos will be added every Monday for the next few weeks. 

By using this special link How to Amplify your Language Learning to sign up for Skillshare Premium Membership, you’ll get access to all of my classes, plus all other classes on Skillshare, starting with a one-month free trial.

If you know of anyone else that’d be interested to learn how to amplify their language learning, I’d appreciate if you’d share the link with them too.

Class Referral Link: http://skl.sh/2AFRVXG 

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The Mindful Language Learner

10 Ways to Amplify your Language Learning

‘How to Amplify your Language Learning’ is now available on Skillshare 🚀                http://skl.sh/2AFRVXG

Learning a language isn’t easy and it takes time, however, there are simple, yet very effective tools and techniques based on scientific principles that people can use to amplify their language learning…

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This post contains affiliate links. You don’t pay more, but I may receive a modest commission that supports the running costs of this site & the FREE content it has to offer!

1. Beware of fluency and perfectionism 

It is rather difficult to define what ‘fluency‘ actually is as it can mean different things to many different people. Languages evolve over time, therefore, the process of language learning is an ongoing and exciting challenge. A good way to think of what fluency means for you is to ask yourself why you are learning the language in the first place. Is it for social reasons, business or educational? Depending on your why can really help you build the vocabulary that you actually require from day 1 of your learning. Remember perfectionism can get in the way of language learning. It’s okay to make mistakes this is how we learn best. I encourage mistakes as if you are making mistakes that mean you are actively learning something new.

2. All about mindset and having a ‘go do‘ attitude 

No matter which learning tools you use, it’s crucial to practice your new language every single day even if it’s just for 20 minutes. Tell yourself you can and you will tell yourself you can’t and it’s likely you will lose motivation and eventually just give up. It’s really important to manage unhelpful thoughts when learning a new language.

3. Make realistic, specific goals

Learning a new language becomes more manageable when it is broken down into smaller, manageable chunks that are achievable within a set timeframe. SMARTT is a popular goalsetting technique. Mainly used in business it is an excellent tool for personal self-development. You might be feeling rather optimistic when you first start learning a new language but aiming for fluency is not necessarily the way forward. Why not set yourself a target of being able to introduce yourself within 28 days, keep it simple and focused.

4. Learn vocabulary in context

“A great way to build vocabulary is to make sure the lists you’re learning come from situations or texts that you have experienced yourself, so that the content is always relevant and connects to background experience.”

- Ed Cooke, co-founder and chief executive of Memrise

Memorising lists of vocabulary can be challenging, and a rather boring task. Although this may work for some people, most people tend to learn best when actively using vocabulary in conversations, reading or writing. Anki is one of the most recommended tools for learning in general. The smart flashcards teach through repetition and adapt to your particular strong or weak points.

5. Online immersion 

There are 168 hours in a week and funny enough that’s the same for everyone! Now it’s how we utilize these hours that makes all the difference. According to research by Ofcom, the average person spends about 20 hours a week online! If you’re trying to learn a new language, turn that web browsing time into some valuable learning time.  The Language Immersion extension for Chrome can help you to build your vocabulary and language knowledge by translating parts of the web page you’re browsing into your target language. Readlang is a similar online tool and one I have used for many years, but it also creates flashcards for you and offers many other study tools too.

6. Use mobile apps as foreign language coaching 

Duolingo has to be one of my favorite language learning apps. Similar language learning apps include Flash Academy and Hello Chinese.Mobile apps can really help you to keep accountable, track your progress, tailor to your level of fluency, connect you with fellow language learners, and motivate you with virtual rewards. However, this method alone is not enough to learn a language. Apps are great when you are pushed for time and you could study for as little as 10 minutes per day or even on your daily commute…if you are using public transport and not driving!

7. Actively using the language 

Actively using a foreign language is key to not forgetting what you have learned. Benny Lewis the author of Fluent in 3 Months recommends speaking with a native speaker for at least 30 minutes a day if you can. If you don’t have anyone nearby to practice with check out Italki or the awesome Add 1 Challenge / Step Up Language Program on Facebook.

8. Change your language settings 

When you are feeling more confident with your target language why not set up your social media accounts and mobile in your target language.

9. Step out of your comfort zone

Willingness to make mistakes means being ready to put yourself in potentially embarrassing situations. This can be scary, but it’s the only way to develop and improve. The more often you do this, then the easier you will find new situations. Stepping out of your comfort zone is where the magic really happens.

10. Get a Journal 

Having a language Learning journal is one sure way to accelerate your language learning in a really flexible and creative way.

Inspired to learn a new language? Check out our supportive network of language learners in our Language Learning Amplified Facebook Group and join our official Facebook Page dedicated to language learners everywhere. 

 

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‘How to Amplify your Language Learning’ now available on Skillshare 🚀 New videos to be uploaded every Monday! ➡️ http://skl.sh/2AFRVXG

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7 Ways Dehydration is Making You Dumb!

If you are anything like me when you start to feel thirsty or have a mild headache you grab some water, however, at this stage, you are already dehydrated. Strangely in the early stages, you may feel hungry rather than thirsty. Grab some water before getting some food, 75-80% of the time it will be water you require rather than solid food.

So if you are learning a new skill and want to improve your focus and attention grab some water before a study session and not 3 hours later.

Here are 7 ways dehydration is making you dumb, unfocused and shortening your attention span…

1 Bad Headaches 

If you don’t have enough water in the body your brain tissue shrinks and starts to pull away from the skull! This is what eventually leads to a headache. Also, the flow of oxygen to the brain is lowered as dehydration causes lower blood volume. This makes it difficult to concentrate and process new information.

2 Faster Heartbeat 

When you are dehydrated the heartbeat has to work on overtime to pump out blood around the body if there is less fluid in the body the heart will not completely fill and will need to beat faster as a consequence. Sometimes this can be mistaken for anxiety. This will make trying to study difficult!

3 Easily Annoyed!

Even very mild dehydration can impact your mood and ability to think clearly! Neurons in your brain signal the mood-regulating part of your brain!

4 Feeling Sleepy

Lack of energy feeling sluggish and unmotivated? These can all be signs of dehydration. How can you focus and pay attention when you are running on such little energy!

5 Stinky Breath!

Do you know the saying “Go lick a wound” well actually there is some truth to that as saliva contains anti-bacterial properties! However, if you are dehydrated your saliva may not be able to function properly this can lead to a bacteria build up in your mouth, causing … stinky breath, gross.  How will this impact on your studies? Say goodbye to any study buddies - unless they are online!

6 Chronic Dehydration Impacts on Kidney Function

Your body will be unable to get rid of all the toxins in your body and this can result in problems with your kidneys, such as infections or overtime even damage occurring! When lacking water you body redirects blood to the most important organs such as your heart, lungs, and brain! Therefore neglecting other organs, that are also pretty valuable to our general well-being.

7 Breathing Difficulties 

You can lose some of the liquid in your body just by breathing! When dehydrated airways will restrict in order to preserve the water your body has left. So you may feel a bit short of breath and this can impact on underlying conditions such as asthma. This will also have an impact on focus and attention as your brain is not getting enough oxygen to work correctly.

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The Mindful Language Learner