There are different language learning strategies that are practiced by many people and yet there is still a constant search for much simpler ones that can accommodate all kinds of learners. To put language learning strategies in very simple terms they must be categorized according to the point of view of the learners themselves.
• Cognitive Strategy- This is grounded on the processes of induction, verification, deduction, practice, memorization, monitoring. This usually requires the involvement of another individual to serve as a mentor for the learner. This strategy is best employed in an academic set up that requires more time as well as money on the part of the learner. However, this strategy can be effective for those who need reinforcement and motivation from another source other than themselves. It is a known fact that not everyone can be self starters so they will need others to teach them within the confines and restrictions of a learning standard and constant performance based feedback.
• Self Learning Strategy- This is one of the widely used language learning strategies. This is more flexible as compared to the cognitive strategy because the learner himself defines what constitutes his own learning process. Generally, however, this strategy should involve certain processes such as planning, prioritizing, setting goals, and self management. The effectiveness and efficacy of this strategy depends largely on the learner's ability to focus on the subject matter at hand; that is, set a time for learning the language, as well as a conscious manner of monitoring one's own progress. A chart progress is a plus when using this type of strategy. The learner should be able to have enough resource materials to compensate for the lack of actual instruction from a qualified individual i.e. a language instructor. Goals should be set at the very beginning of this self starting strategy and the same goals should be achieved in accordance with the time frame set. What is perhaps the most important aspect of the self learning strategy is the ability of the learner to self rectify. It is very important that the learner knows what his mistakes are and how to correct them.
• Social Strategy- One of the more favoured language learning strategies is the social strategy wherein learners have the opportunity to participate in actual conversations in a real social set-up. However, despite the outright exposure to the target language of the learners, this strategy will only indirectly help in acquiring, retrieving, and utilizing of language.
• Communication Strategy- This is rather one of the most indirect language learning strategies but is nonetheless still very helpful. This is more focused on the use of the targeted language in a practical scenario i.e. conversations with people who actually speak the language or perhaps actual native speakers. This strategy will be best used for those who are more or less familiar with the basics of the language they intend to learn since it will help them pin point their mistakes in pronunciation, accent, as well as sentence construction.
Foreign Language Learning Strategies
So how much vocabulary do you actually need to know before you can "get by" and actually converse in a foreign language? That depends on who you ask, as that tends to vary somewhat.
In his book, "Using Your Memory", author Tony Buzan says that a mere 100 words comprise nearly 50% of the vocabulary used in every day conversational speech in most languages. Learning the equivalent of these words in a foreign language can help you to quickly develop essential vocabulary for everyday conversational use. But is this really enough?
Link Word Technique
Generally, you can function at the most basic level in a foreign language with a core vocabulary of around 1000 words according to Dr. Michael Gruneberg who formalized the "LinkWord" technique. He claims that, using this technique of linking a word in your own language to a word in the new language, you can acquire a core vocabulary in a foreign language in as little as 10 hours.
The LOCI Method
According to Cicero, the LOCI Method or Roman Room System is said to have originated in ancient Greece circa 500 B.C. When the building he was in collapsed, crushing all of the people inside beyond recognition, the only survivor, poet Simonides of Ceos identified the victims by name solely based on where they had been sitting at the dinner table. The technique was commonly used for centuries by Greek and Roman orators to give speeches without using notes.
The Pimsleur Method
The Pimsleur Method folks check in at 2,500 words as a minimum core vocabulary to communicate fluently in a foreign language. This is much closer to what I've actually found in real-world practice to be an effective depth of vocabulary.
Personally, I advocate a minimum core vocabulary in the range of 1500 to 2000 words. Sure you can "communicate" with much fewer words, as few as 500 depending on the context, but you could often sound "strained", "artificial" or even "childish" in your speech constructions while trying to get your point across.
In addition, if you're working in a skilled trade, vocation or profession, the minimum core vocabulary count could ramp up as much as another 300 to 500 words. So any time spent acquiring needed foreign language vocabulary is definitely time well spent. In the next article of this series we'll consider a simple method you can use to start learning key vocabulary right away.
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