Zacharias 馃悵 Voulgaris

5 anni fa 路 2 min. di lettura 路 ~10 路

Blogging
>
Il blog di Zacharias 馃悵
>
Learning a New Language with the Michel Thomas Method

Learning a New Language with the Michel Thomas Method

A

Learning a new language is very useful, for both practical and other reasons. Apart from the obvious benefit of being able to communicate with other people who speak that language (esp. those who speak just that language), learning a new tongue is proven to have a strong impact on improving one's cognitive health, keeping dementia at bay. So, if nothing else, it is a good mental workout!


I was never particularly good at learning other languages. It's been always hard to motivate myself into keeping a consistent schedule. I don't think I'm the only one with that issue though. In our busy world, it's hard to commit to something as long term as learning a new language and eventually mastering. I'm not talking about those who are inclined on linguistic matters and who can pick up a new language by just listening to it. I'm talking about those of us who may pick up some words or phrases but will have a hard time building the confidence in the language.


Fortunately, there is this individual called Michel Thomas who's made language-learning more manageable and more accessible. This polyglot and particularly talented educator has developed a technique that breaks down a language and then reconstruct it from its basic elements, for even the most average students of linguistics. He started his career by training actors/actresses and military people, who needed to learn a language quickly as they had very limited time for this task. Now his audience includes all sorts of people and goes beyond the various language schools he's founded in the USA. I learned about him through the MP3 courses (today's equivalent of tapes!).


I learned Italian this way, though I supplemented my learning through reading books and using the dictionary for learning new vocabulary. However, the vast majority of everyday speech was from the MT classes. The biggest benefit however was the building of confidence for speaking the language and thinking in it. Now I'm learning another language using the same method, as apart from the usefulness of this whole endeavor, there is also a lot of satisfaction involved, while the method promises to teach a language in a very small amount of time, at least the basics of it.


Now, I understand that the method has its shortcomings (e.g. pleasantries are not taught until much later in the course, since more rudimentary aspects of the language are considered more important to learn first). Also, the vocabulary of the language may be lacking after finishing the course, but at least you know how to ask what something means. What's more, the course doesn't dwell much on grammar or syntax rule as it's heavy on learning through experience (the empirical approach). Some people find that difficult to get used to. Finally, the courses that Michel Thomas has put together are all audio-based, so spelling may be a bit challenging. That's why I recommend doing some writing (e.g. through a phone/tablet app) to get acquainted with that part of the language.


What's your experience with language learning? If you have used the MT method, how do you find it? Let me know in the comments below.


Note: I am not affiliated with the Michel Thomas schools in any way. I just enjoy using MT's courses as a customer and find them worth talking about in blogs like this one. Also, here is a video about him from BBC, that I came across recently.

Commenti

Lada 馃彙 Prkic

5 anni fa #4

Learning a new language is at least a good mental workout as you stated. I learned Italian for two years in a foreign language school several years ago in a small group of 6 people. I never asked what learning method they use, but I was more than satisfied with the knowledge I gained there. The problem with foreign languages is when not using them on all levels: writing, reading and speaking. I was studying English throughout my entire schooling, but my spoken English still needs more practice. I was speaking Italian better than English while attending the school, but after a few years of not practising speaking the situation has reversed. Now I force my husband to talk with me in Italian. :-) Some thoughts about blogging in a foreign language I've put into the post, https://www.bebee.com/producer/@lada-prkic/why-i-write-in-a-foreign-language

Lada 馃彙 Prkic

5 anni fa #3

Learning a new language is at least a good mental workout as you stated. I learned Italian for two years in a foreign language school several years ago in a small group of 6 people. I never asked what learning method they use, but I was more than satisfied with the knowledge I gained there. The problem with foreign languages is when not using them on all levels: writing, reading and speaking. I was studying English throughout my entire schooling, but my spoken English still needs more practice. I was speaking Italian better than English while attending the school, but after a few years of not practising speaking the situation has reversed. Now I forced my husband to talk with me in Italian. :-) Some thoughts about blogging in a foreign language I've put into the post, https://www.bebee.com/producer/@lada-prkic/why-i-write-in-a-foreign-language

Pascal Derrien

5 anni fa #2

With the age I have come to be lazy when it comes to languages, obviously using English and French but my Spanish has gone very rusty albeit with a bit of work I think I could do well but gosh I am not sure I am reading to undertake a new language having said that I am interested by Italian I ust say :-) My learning methodology has been thru exposure mainly and not having the choice to retreat to another language as a mean of communication,learnign and accepting to make a lot of (I mean a lot) of mistakes but nothing in impossible hey, I ended following a course on journalism and applied coms where I was the only new native English speaker and I got a distinction :-) Now I wonder if this is as efficient with a different alphabet such as Greek Russian etc,,,
Thank you Debasish for the share!

Articoli di Zacharias 馃悵 Voulgaris

Visualizza il blog
1 anno fa 路 2 min. di lettura

The 鈥淟anguage Model for Dialogue Applications" AI Google developed last year is a machine learning-p ...

1 anno fa 路 1 min. di lettura

Whether it's a solar panel or a rigged hamster wheel, you can make a first step in harnessing your p ...

10 mesi fa 路 2 min. di lettura

Technological advances often outpace the general public's understanding of the technologies and thei ...

Professionisti correlati

Potresti essere interessato a questi lavori

  • Gi Group SpA Filiale di Roma Re.

    chef de rang_hotel 5 lusso sardegna costa smeralda

    Trovato in: Talent IT 2A C2 - 6 giorni fa


    Gi Group SpA Filiale di Roma Re. Tempio Pausania, Italia

    FILIALE: ROMA HORECAGi Group Horeca 猫 la specializzazione di Gi Group, prima Multinazionale del Lavoro Italiana, dedicata a valorizzare le esperienze, le competenze e il potenziale dei candidati nel settore Horeca. 路 Il nostro cliente 猫 un prestigioso Resort all interno della mer ...

  • Poltrona Frau

    JANUS et Cie

    Trovato in: Talent IT C2 - 1 settimana fa


    Poltrona Frau Milan, Italia

    JANUS et Cie, leader nel settore dell'arredamento focalizzato sul design, continua la sua crescita e la sua espansione globale. L'azienda sta ora cercando di rafforzare la sua posizione in Europa attraverso questa postazione, con sede preferibilmente a Milano. 路 Da oltre 40 anni ...

  • Gi Group SpA Filiale di Milano IV Novembre

    Offshore metods engineer

    Trovato in: Talent IT 2A C2 - 5 giorni fa


    Gi Group SpA Filiale di Milano IV Novembre Urbino, Italia

    FILIALE: MILANO OFFICEHirevo Engineering 猫 la specializzazione di Gi Group, prima multinazionale del lavoro italiana, dedicata a valorizzare le esperienze, le competenze e il potenziale dei candidati in ambito Progettazione, Logistica e Supply Chain, Production&Maintenance, Quali ...