Learning a Foreign Language: Why Should you Learn Words You Never Use in Your Mother Tongue?
Imagine a child sitting in front of a desk, his head in his hands, and mumbling various lists of words over and over. Does this child remind you of your own experience? If yes, I bet that "list of words" does not sound appealing to you. You are almost ready to swear that they do not work. Before you mortgage your part of paradise, it may be wise to make sure you are right.
You can open a dictionary and begin to learn it by heart (a dictionary is no more than a list of words). There are many illustrated dictionaries that offer you the same resources as plenty of websites do by displaying colorful pictures with captions. You know that these tools exist because you have already tried to enrich your vocabulary that way. The scope of the task curbed your enthusiam.
Though, it is not a bad way to learn vocabulary, it is even the best way for one person: the author of the list.
Why?
You are unique. Your memory is unique, not only because your memories are yours, and only yours, but also because the way you store them is yours and only yours. For a large part, memory is about association of ideas and the associations you make depend on your experience.
Let's study an example to make it clear. Ask anyone to give you a word in relation with the common word "horse". You will get mare, race, chivalry or Trojan, etc, depending on the person who answers.
He who answered "mare" might go on with stable, foal and even cow and other farm animals; he who said "race" would probably go on with racecourse and tote. Obviously, their experiences of life are quite different. "Chivalry" would lead to King Arthur, coat of mail and tournament while "Trojan" would meet Homer, odyssey, god and goddess.
If you are a linguist, it is very likely that you associate horse to horseback, horsehair, horseman and horseplay and think that your list is easy to remember. On the contrary, if you are not interested in the Middle-Age History, the "chivalry" list will slip your mind.
The more personal the links between the words, the easier the way to learn them. That is why a list works at its best for its author. The connections between the words pre-exist in the author's head.
So, pave your way, prepare your own list!
Gabrielle Guichard
A French teacher who can be reached on GabrielleGuichard.com and listened to on FrenchPodcasting.com
Latest News
![]() Ottawa Citizen | In any language, LPGA sending wrong message MLive.com, MI - The Detroit Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk had similar issues with the English language when he first joined the NHL, but now he's a fine interview with a wry ... LPGA puts its foot in its English-speaking mouth A swing and a big miss for ladies' professional golf BC golfers support language policy |
English-language newspaper in Puerto Rico closes The Associated Press - The publisher also sought to have the Star distributed by a local Spanish-language newspaper, eliminating unionized distributors and other circulation ... |
The State of Scripting Languages Slashdot - Greiner talks to major players from each of the main scripting languages (PHP, Perl, Tcl, Python, Ruby, and Javascript) to find out the current status and ... |
![]() Vancouver Sun | Golf's language games not new in BC Globe and Mail, Canada - He said exclusions from the club over language have been rare, but that people get a second chance. "I've invited the members to brush up on their English, ... BC golf club defends English-language policy for members Vancouver-area golf club has English-only policy similar to LPGA Swan-e-set Bay wants passion, not English, from members |
Language hindrance Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - ... they want a future in international business or immigrating to the United States. Language creates a big problem if it is not communicated effectively. Patois has its place |
MormonTimes.com: 'In their own language' - translating in the LDS ... Deseret News, UT - More than half were published in English and the remaining two million in 64 other languages. Translation of that book along with the 25 additional manuals ... |
SMART officials file second challenge to train opposition ballot ... Santa Rosa Press Democrat, CA - BY JENNA V. LOCEFF SONOMA, Aug. 29, 2008 -- Deborah Fudge, vice chair of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit and mayor of Windsor, today asked a Sonoma ... |
![]() Washington Post | Obama uses language of hope, calls for action Greeley Tribune, Colorado - Barack Obama used his nationally televised speech Thursday to intersperse the language of hope with strident partisan barbs and a Kennedyesque call to ... Video: Kerry Slams 'Candidate McCain' The Democrats in Denver: A Historic Convention for Blacks and Women! Loftiness & lethargy |
Lexiophiles Releases the First Ranking of the World’s Top 100 ... PR.com (press release), NY - The list comprises the best 100 language blogs, individually chosen out of a pool of over 300 blogs, and can be accessed at www.lexiophiles.com. ... |
English language courses sell like hot cakes Merinews, India - As a result, English language institutions are mushrooming and every seven out of ten institutions offer English language training in India. ... |
Resources
-
Learn a new foreign Language easily - Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian
Language Passion - Easily learn a new foreign Language online today. Learn Spanish, Japanese, German, Chinese, French, Russian or any other foreign Language you choose. Learn any Language today and speak with a foreign tongue in a matter of months.
-
CMATHER.COM Premium Classified Network
CMATHER.COM Classified Advertising - Premium Advertising
-
One Hour HTML - Learn the Language of the Web...fast!
Learn HTML fast with One Hour HTML
-
Sign Language for Babies and Beyond
Learn How to Communicate With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Speak Using American Sign Language! Includes Video of 250 Signs!
-
How to Hypnotically Influence Other People
a course by Wang Jian to teach you how to write hypnotic Language to make others obey your command.
-
Travellingwords.com - Your mp3 Language crash course for your vacation
Travellingwords.com - Your mp3 Language crash course for your vacation. Going abroad tomorrow? Download your Language course today. international, travel, travel, Language, holiday, travlang, foreign destination, communication, vacation, course, mp3, shor
-
Dating Advice for Men - How to Approach Women, Attract Women, and Meet Girls
How to Approach Women, Talk to Women and Attract Women. Dating Advice for Men and How to Meet Girls. Learn How to Read Body Language, Dating Tips, How to Get a Girlfriend.
-
Business English Language Multimedia Grammar Practice
ESL quizzes and EFL exercises covering grammar, vocabulary, multi-word verbs
-
ThaiVoc - Learn Thai Now!
Learn the Thai Language with IPA and AUA phonetic Windows software.
-
English Romanian Dictionary Online - Dictionar Englez Roman
Learn Romanian Language: Romanian English Dictionary online and download, conversation guide. Information about Romania: travel, culture, and more.


