Developing Foreign Language Study Skills
Vocabulary
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Use each new word in a sentence.
Say the words out loud while studying.
Tape record the words and then listen to
them.
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Fold a page in half, write the words on
one side, the definition or a synonym on
the other.
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Make use of the words as much as
possible.
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Make use of visual imagery (mental
images) whenever possible.
Spelling
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Take notice of accented words. (The use of
accents needs to be stressed, because
without it the word could have a different
meaning.)
Learn the sounds of the letters in the
alphabet. Some foreign languages are
phonetic (meaning the words are spelled the
way they sound). Ex. Spanish.
Grammar
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Review the reading; look for examples of new
grammar.
Try to use the form while practicing
vocabulary.
Try to identify the forms you already know.
Use the new forms in written and spoken
examples.
Practice by making up your own examples.
Reading and Listening
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Get the general idea of the selection by
reading through it before using the dictionary.
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Avoid translating; try to get your native
language out of your mind.
Read aloud. This will help to pronounce
unfamiliar words and remember them.
Look for familiar words or roots of words.
Only use the dictionary as a last resort. Try to
understand the words in their context.
Look for nonverbal cues.
If you don't know a word, continue listening or
reading; don't panic and miss the end of the
statement.
Speaking
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You won't be able to say as much in the
foreign language as in English. Don't worry
about sounding simplistic.
Don't worry about the grammar; focus on
getting your meaning across.
Force yourself to talk and think to yourself in
the foreign language.
Whenever you can, speak to your friends or
native speakers in the foreign language.
General
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Write every day.
Do self-tests.
Highlight the key points of every
chapter.
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Create lists and study sheets; use devices
like rhyming and association to help you
remember.
Carefully listen to everything that happens
during class. Mentally try to answer all the
questions asked.
Homework
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Carefully review the work of the day.
Review previous work.
Self test in writing the examples of that day.
Your best resource is your teacher, so use it!
Ten Tips for Parents of Foreign Language Students
Parents can share in a child's foreign language experience whether or not they are
familiar with the language their child is studying. Here are some suggestions provided
by Loudoun County Foreign Language teachers:
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Be enthusiastic, supportive and inquisitive about your child's foreign language
adventure.
Ask your child frequently even daily what he did in class that day. Have him
explain how the day's lesson fit into the overall language experience as he sees
it.
There is usually an assignment every day. Monitor your child's homework. Ask to
see the finished product.
Encourage your child to use a digital audio recording for practice. Students enjoy
hearing themselves on audio and can easily create useful exercises. For
example, the student records a list of vocabulary in English, pausing after each
word, before supplying the foreign language translation. When playing the audio
file, the student gives the foreign language translation for each English word and
hears his pre-recorded answer allowing him to further practice.
Encourage your child to cut our pictures of vocabulary he is learning. Keep a
collection in a 3 ring binder or download visuals onto a digital file; this becomes a
digital picture dictionary.
Give your child frequent vocabulary drills at home. The more often the
vocabulary is used the better it is retained. Don't forget to review old vocabulary
too. Grammar and vocabulary drills from the Realidades text are available
through PHSchool.com. For specific Spanish grammar or vocabulary practice
visit www.studyspanish.com.
Ask your child to name items around the house after he has had certain lessons.
He'll enjoy being the teacher and everyone can join in the fun.
There are a number of TV and radio programs offered in foreign languages.
Encourage your child to listen for correct pronunciation and familiar words and
phrases.
Encourage your child to read homework aloud or record exercises. Put it aside
and listen to it later. Can he recognize what is said?