How to Learn a Foreign Language—What You “Really” Need To Know Dr. Michael A. Brookshaw Department of English and Foreign Languages Winston-Salem State University June 28, 2007

Goal To provide basic information necessary for a clear understanding of the “true” nature of learning a second language.

Quote “ A man who does not know a foreign language does not know his own.” ---Goethe

Goal of all Foreign Language Study To communicate with a native speaker of the language

What is Language? Language, the principle means used by human beings to communicate with one another. Language is primarily spoken, although it can be transferred to other media, such as writing. MSN Encarta

General Language Facts… Over 6,800 Tongues 8 Countries account for more than half of all languages There are 832 languages in Papua New Guinea India has 15 official languages Over 1000 languages are spoken in Africa

Most Widely Spoken Languages in the World 1. Chinese (Mandarin) 1,075,000,000  2. English 514,000,000 3. Hindustani 1496,000,000  4. Spanish 425,000,000  5. Russian 275,000,000  6. Arabic 256,000,000  7. Bengali 215,000,000  8. Portuguese 194,000,000  9. Malay-Indonesian 176,000,000 10. French 129,000,000

Rationale for Learning Another Language? Knowing another language brings opportunities Better knowledge of other peoples & cultures Read and understand more Employment advantages The World is at Your Fingertips You become a Citizen of the World (Globalization)

General Reasons People Learn a Second Language… Personal Professional Social Educational

What do People Generally Speak About? Family Business Personal Care Travel Food

What is language really about? According to Ricardo Gonzalez it is about patterns, time expression. He notes: There are 15 ways to express time A word must be repeated 15 times to be stored in long term memory; a structure 60 times The Parts of Language Make the Whole Repetition is the “Mother” of all Learning

Second Language Acquisition An understanding of second language acquisition can improve the ability of mainstream teachers to serve the culturally and linguistically diverse students in their classrooms (Fillmore & Snow, 2002; Hamayan, 1990). While significant professional development is necessary to gain a full understanding of second language acquisition theory, some key concepts can be quickly understood and applied in the classroom. Current theories of second language acquisition are based on years of research in a wide variety of fields, including linguistics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and neurolinguistics (Freeman & Freeman, 2001).

How Languages are Learned Learning a Second Language Involves an Understanding of Second Language Acquisition and Includes: How the First Language is Learned Theoretical Approaches to Second Language Learning Factors Affecting Second Language Learning Learner Language Second Language Teaching and Learning in the Classroom Myths and Facts about Language Learning

Language Learning Myths: Learning a language is fast and easy. Children learn languages better Adults are too old to learn a language Fluency is easily accomplished

Why Spanish? The historical connection 4th largest Spanish Speaking population in U.S. 2000 mile border with Mexico Current demographic reality Continental reality of the Hispanic world Dissolving Borders: Globalization

The Spanish Speaking World 400,000,000 speakers Venezuela, 21,000,000 Colombia, 35,000,000 Ecuador, 5,000,000 Perú, 23,000,000 Chile, 14,000,000 Argentina, 34,000,000 Uruguay,3,000,000 Bolivia, 7,000,000 México, 93,000,000 Guatemala, 10,000,000 El Salvador, 5,000,000 Honduras, 5,000,000 Nicaragua, 4,000,000

The Spanish Speaking World 400,000,000 speakers (2) República Dominicana, 7,000,000 Puerto Rico, 3,000,000 Las Filipinas, 3,000,000 Estados Unidos, 25,000,000 Costa Rica, 3,000,000 España, 39,000,000 Guinea Ecuatorial, 500,000 Cuba, 11,000,000 Uruguay, 3,000,000 Panamá, 2,000,000 Paraguay, 5,000,000

The Spanish You Already Know Mosquito Chocolate Banco Radio Discoteca Vitaminas presidente mamá animal especial constitución ángel

More Spanish You Already Know Montana Nevada Colorado Arizona Florida California

Spanish in the last 10 years…(1) Surge in the Spanish population nationally Spanish is more of a necessity than a choice Spoken by 39 million Hispanics Not speaking Spanish can be a handicap There is nothing foreign about Spanish anymore Spanish dominates all other languages in the public schools I

Spanish in the last 10 years…(2) The need in the workplace for Spanish is tremendous The president,himself, gives his radio address in Spanish Language and culture of Latin America have flooded the nation 83% of college students study Spanish Demographics demand that you learn Spanish

Spanish Facts… (1) The second language of the U.S. Hispanics are the largest minority The U.S. has the 4th largest Spanish population in the world. Hispanics are becoming politically and economically powerful. The U.S. is being “Hispanized”

Spanish Facts… (2) The U.S used to be Mexico until 1848 The U.S. has a intimate history with all things Spanish. Hispanic language, art, culture have exploded. Our heritage is locked in Spanish The U.S. has always had Spanish influence

What a Good Language Learner Needs to Have for a Successful Experience Basic Understanding of and information about Language Positive Attitude about Second Language Learning Process A Desire to Communicate with Someone who Speaks a Language Different from your Own Commitment to the Language Learning process A Basic Language Foundation (words- 1500-2000) Appropriate Strategies and Techniques (method) Time to Learn and to Practice Memory Ability Realistic language goals and objectives

What Can Learning a Second Language do for Me? Improve Analyzing Skills Enhance creativity Increase English Vocabulary Change Cultural Attitudes Augment Higher Order Thinking Skills Enhance Memory Improve Writing in English Improve Test Taking Abilities Enhance the Learning of the Native Language & Culture Enhance Knowledge of Cultural Diversity

A view on language learning… “Many of us have the experience of trying to learn another language and then giving up because it is too demanding, which translates into not making the progress we expect. This is why you have an enormous advantage as soon as you realize that learning a language is not straight-forward. This understanding means that you can actually start to learn it without being discouraged when your progress is slower than you want it to be. You can improve because you are in the position to set yourself realistic and achievable goals, and you can reach these precisely because they are realistic. Learning a language is a long term occupation and you have to return again and again to words, expressions and grammar that you have already learned and then forgotten. It is true that there are exceptional individuals who soak up new languages easily as adults, but they are in a tiny minority.” www.downloadalanguage.com

The Tongue-Tied American Congressman Paul Simon, 1980 “The United States has fallen far behind other nations in foreign language skills and this decline creates certain problems and challenges.” “At every port of entry into the United States we should erect a sign: -WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES- WE CANNOT SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE

John Naisbitt (1982) Megatrends Thinking Globally… For Americans, it is self evident that this is the time to learn another language--and learn it well. The size, proximity, and economic promises of Latin America make Spanish an attractive choice…. To be really successful, you will have to be trilingual: fluent in English, Spanish, and computer. --p.78

Review Goal: Basic Information on Language learning Definition of Language General Language Facts Rationale for Language Learning The Nature of Language Second Language Acquisition Language Myths The Reality of the Spanish-Speaking World Traits of a Good Language Learner Benefits of Learning a Second Language

Final Quotes… “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” -Nelson Mandela “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” -Alvin Toffler “We must be the change we wish to see.” -Gandhi