Observing is a big part of the game in language learning. The more you can notice about the language, the more of it you can integrate into your skillset.
What things can you notice about a target language?
- Sounds and intonation
- Pronunciations
- Use of words
- Use of gestures with words
- Timing
- And many more
Basically, noticing helps you pay attention to the way a language is used effectively, allowing you to absorb the nuances that will help you in your attempts to acquire it. Here are some ways to improve in this useful learning skill.
- Repetitive listening. Repetitively listening to a language software lesson, a recorded conversation or any material of interest will help familiarize you with the surface-level components enough that you can begin to notice less-obvious aspects of the language. There are almost always bits and pieces you can understand better during second and third encounters.
- Using the language. When you use the language actively, your sensitivity to it heightens. You notice what you’re doing wrong, what you don’t understand, what else you need to learn and more. It’s easy to sit back and think you understood a lesson. Applying it, though, exposes you to the separate components that you might be missing.
- Taking notes. When you take notes, you engage your brain more actively. There’s something about putting the pressure of writing down what you understand from your language software that helps you be more attentive to what you listen to or read.
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