Tag Archives: fundamentals
Everyone has a funny accent
There is a thin line between accents on the one hand and incorrect usage of the language and dialects on the other. When learning a foreign language, how can you ensure that you learn it “correctly”? Continue reading
Filed under Learning
Which language learning style is best?
In my previous post, I described two styles of learning a language: the scientist and the artist. Where the scientist tries to understand the rationale and structure of a language, an artist tries to get moving with the language as soon as possible. Which style is best if you want to get fluent in a language? Continue reading
Filed under Learning
Learning Chinese through recital (背书)
A common criticism on Asian education systems has to do with rote learning – simply learning facts by heart, being able to recite entire lists of facts or verses, but not being able to apply them. While I do agree that memorization alone is not going to lead to much learning, I have found memorizing parts of text a great way to increase my Chinese fluency. Continue reading
Filed under Learning
Good language teaching
Learning a language is an individual effort in the end. But how well you learn a particular language also depends heavily on the teachers and teaching methods that are used. What makes good teaching? I offer my thoughts – please … Continue reading
