The Best Time To Start Learning
Foreign Languages
There are many myths regarding the best time to start learning foreign languages. Of course, children probably find it easier to pick up languages, but then it does not mean that adults cannot learn a new language as well. Let us look at how children and adults learn languages.
Learning Foreign Languages as Children
According to the renowned linguist Noam Chomsky, children learn languages easily because they have an inbuilt system that is tuned towards picking up whatever language they are exposed to.
However, research goes against this “innateness” theory. Here are some points that go against it-
1) Children keep learning the intricacies of language for at least 10 years, before they have mastered it. This goes contrary to the Chomskyan belief that language is a natural instinct.
2) Language learning in children is not as effortless as it seems. They have to learn the language because they have no choice.
Learning Foreign Languages, Give An Extra Edge To Your Resume
Knowledge of a foreign language can give a boost to your career in more ways than you can imagine. We will discuss how learning a foreign language can help you climb the steep career ladder now.
How Learning A Foreign Language Can Boost Your Career
Here are some ways of learning foreign languages that can help you make your resume more attractive to potential employers. You will also notice how being acquainted with a foreign language helps you in your profession.
* Impress The Job Recruiter
When a recruiter sees a foreign language listed in your CV, it is bound to make a favorable impression on him or her. If you can speak to your interviewers at a multinational company in their language, it will signal your sincerity in working for them.
* Lateral Thinking
Learning foreign languages helps you develop your analytical thinking capacity. You can think differently. This helps you survive in a varied and challenging work environment. You also get an understanding of different cultures, enabling you to understand what most people without the knowledge of a foreign language might find difficult.
Improving Foreign Language Speaking Skills
Learning foreign languages is not just about reading or writing skills. The real test of your knowledge is your ability to converse fluently, in the target language. Compounding the problem is the fact that many language-teaching institutes do not concentrate on teaching foreign language speaking skills.
This article discusses some ways to improve speaking skills when learning foreign languages.
How To Improve Foreign Language Speaking Skills
1) Everybody mispronounces words when learning foreign languages. You should not be afraid of making mistakes in pronunciation when learning a target foreign language. The more relaxed you are, the more easily will you be able to pick up the language.
2) If you know someone who knows the target language, you can practice conversing with him or her. This is one of the easiest ways of improving language speaking skills.
3) The best way of learning foreign languages is to practice with a native speaker. Try conversing with a native speaker of the target language to improve your oral skills.