Methods of teaching a foreign language. Effective methods of learning foreign languages

Lee Kuan Yew went down in history not only as the first minister of Singapore, but also as a person who built an almost ideal model of the country's economic structure. One of the rules of his life, which later became the key to national development, was: Everyone should learn English, and their native language should become a second one.

The importance of English today can hardly be overestimated. It became a kind of Esperanto with a national touch. International utopia - a common language for all, helping to build tower of babel– is very close to becoming a reality. He almost assumed the function of a universal means of communication.

Whether this is good or bad is hard to say for sure. As a rule, all the consequences are assessed after decades. Obviously, only one thing can be said - to become a real citizen of the world is possible only with knowledge of the English language.

For all the undeniable scope of its significance, everyone knows how hard it is to learn a new system of symbols. This requires years of hard work, hundreds of thousands of rubles and endless trips to the homeland of the carriers.

However, here lies the first mistake. In order to learn a language, you do not need a lot of money and effort. It is only important to choose the right technique and responsibly allocate your time.

Goal setting as a starting principle

Before proceeding to the presentation of methods for learning English, let's talk a little about goal setting.

To start conquering an unfamiliar grammar without a goal, if not impossible, then at least very difficult. If you have a goal, a reminder will constantly spin in your head why you spend your free hours watching a textbook, and not TV, responsibility in relation to classes will become higher. You won't have to force yourself to sit down at the table and start memorizing irregular verbs and markers of English tenses.

What could be the purpose? Perhaps you want to get information from a wider range of sources, or learn Wordsworth in the original. Or maybe you are interested in traveling and meeting people of a different mentality and culture. The goal may be different, but its presence is mandatory. Don't start shaping your study schedule before you fix it on your desktop - let the goal always be in front of your eyes.

Methods of learning English

So, after you have finally established yourself in the idea that mastering the vocabulary and grammar of a new system of verbal expression of thoughts is vital for you, it's time to determine the methodology that will help you achieve the best possible result. short time.

By and large, the entire set of methods at your disposal can be divided into two large groups:

  1. Course offered by a teacher in a specialized school
  2. Self-study in one of the many existing programs
At first glance, the easiest and most obvious way to learn a language is with a teacher at school. You do not have to reinvent the wheel, and the strict class schedule and the cost of the lessons will guarantee a responsible approach to learning. The teacher, in turn, will become your mentor - he will direct the educational flow and correct when you make a mistake. But this wonderful method has only one small drawback - the psychology of human behavior.

If you have always been a diligent student and ran to school for knowledge with a smile spreading from ear to ear, you most likely already know English well. Even if this is not the case, you will have enough composure and self-discipline in order to do without professional help ladies with a pointer, and master everything yourself. But if you represent a more typical case, like me, and like many other people, then any control system begins to disgust over time and sooner or later turns into an obligation that has to be observed not according to the manual own desire, but under duress (and it does not matter that the coercion agreement was concluded on a voluntary basis).

Studying at school requires good control of your own schedule - if you are used to staying late at work, it will be difficult to combine work with study. In addition, group lessons can be ineffective - you can go ahead of your comrades and get bored in the lessons while waiting for the rest to learn the material, or vice versa lag behind. Private lessons are expensive and take time.

What to do if classroom teaching is not suitable? Master the methods of self-study of English!

How to learn English without the help of professionals?

Of course, independent study is possible only if you have strict self-discipline. Only you control the process and are responsible for the result to yourself.

What are the main disadvantages of self-learning English?

As you noticed, we skipped the “dignity” item, because everything is clear here anyway. It is convenient, cheap, and in the end you will get the level of knowledge that you have gained. Everything is very clear and honest. It is more useful to pay attention to the shortcomings. If you keep them in mind, you may be able to avoid mistakes.

Cons of learning English on your own

  • Lack of quality assurance of the chosen methodology. Are you sure that you have chosen the right technique, and that the exercises that you spend your time on do not lead to memorizing the wrong constructions?
  • Improper scheduling of classes. It is ideal to practice daily, at least for 20-30 minutes. But if you constantly put off English until Wednesday, and then Saturday, then on Sunday evening there is a high probability of many hours of dating with textbooks, dictionaries, training courses, etc. However, I hasten to disappoint you - such an experiment will bring nothing but a lost weekend evening and money spent. Only systematic, daily training will adapt you to the language and help you master it in the near future.
  • Preference for only one method of study. A combination of reading, writing, and grammar exercises can help you develop your ability to express yourself. If you concentrate on grammar, but do not take the time to listen to speech, there will be little sense from the lessons - your English will remain one-sided.
  • Lack of self-discipline. A more reliable method can be advised by those who have already tested the options on themselves, but only you can provide a responsible approach to learning. But! Having defeated your own demons, in a few months you will enjoy the freedom that only a universal language can give.
The kaleidoscope of methods can drive you crazy. But since our main task is not to write a large theoretical treatise, but to map out effective methods that will help you learn English with the highest quality and with minimal time, we will focus on a few of them.

Please note: the list below is not exhaustive, it contains only techniques that my friends or myself have tried.

Option 1: effective author's methods of learning English

Pimsleur Method

This course of study foreign words recognized in the world community as one of the best. The potential audience of students is modern business people who are always on the move. Classes are divided into 3 courses of 30 lessons lasting half an hour. All lessons are conducted by two speakers - Russian and English speaking. The task of the student is to listen carefully and do everything that the announcers say. Since the training combines listening and pronunciation, it will be easy for you to learn how to communicate with foreigners. Why is this method good? It helps to avoid mispronunciation errors, and it is relatively easy to remember the number of words and phrase combinations sufficient for meaningful communication. It is the only patented memory training method that promotes quick memorization information. For educational intervals of 20-30 minutes, the technique allows you to remember up to 100 words. Thus, by the end of the course, you should know between 2,000 and 3,000 words.

Ilya Frank method

Ilya Mikhailovich Frank is a Russian philologist, polyglot, author of a number of monographs on the study of foreign languages. The method of the same name for learning English is aimed at expanding vocabulary through reading fiction. This becomes possible due to the special arrangement of the original and translation. The text is divided into small fragments, each of which is followed by a literal Russian translation, if necessary, supplemented by a lexical and grammatical reference. After the paragraph, the same passage is given, but without translation. This method differs significantly from the common method of parallel translation with the placement of text variants in columns or in the second half of the book. Why is he better?

  • Contains a lexical and grammatical commentary with examples of the use of the word in common phrases
  • Transcriptions for compound words
  • The reader does not have to look for a translation for a long time the right word
Of course, in order to read in English, you need to have at least basic knowledge of the language. But, in general, the method is unobtrusive, interesting and especially good for book lovers.

Method of Alexander Dragunkin

The number of method apologists is almost comparable to the number of critics. Own logic of understanding grammar, funny lessons - all this is provided by Mr. Dragunkin. He became famous for suggesting the use of Russified transcription to memorize English words. His reasons are extremely simple - there are so many accents and pronunciations that your English does not have to be similar to typical. Of the advantages: the most understandable statement of the rules, ease of memorization. Disadvantages: Efficiency is difficult to evaluate, and the role of standard pronunciation cannot be underestimated. You must understand others, and they must understand you. Otherwise, why do you need this particular language?

Method of Dmitry Petrov

Polyglot from the blue screen Dmitry Petrov proved the effectiveness of his method on the example of famous figures Russian culture. Thousands of people, along with writers, actors, directors, were able to try out his technique for themselves online - often quite successfully. What is the point? The basic algorithms of the language are brought to automatism, which allow combining phrases sufficient for understanding and communication from a small number of words. The course consists of 16 hours of video lessons, the materials of which are presented very clearly. Additionally, text files of lessons are available.

Option 2: Video with subtitles

Movies, series, television shows with rows of English and Russian subtitles. Finding adapted records is not difficult. Combining business with pleasure, over time you will get used to the sound of foreign speech and begin to divide the recitative into separate phrases. If you focus not only on Russian, but also English subtitles, in addition to sound, you will fix the rules of written speech.

For me the most useful resource in this category was the non-profit project TED TALKS. This is a series of short speeches by people who talk about their experiences, which are important and useful for the world. Watching recordings is interesting without the goal of learning a language, but when you can come up with an additional goal, it's doubly good. You can find the video both on the Internet on the project website, and in the App Store and Google Play stores. You can customize subtitles - Russian or English - and the playback speed for yourself.

English Club channel

Satellite TV offers not only entertaining, but also useful educational content. This channel broadcasts in English, offers lessons for both beginners and advanced users. There are many educational programs, films with English subtitles, explanations of vocabulary and grammar features, interpretation of idioms. A systematic appeal to the channel will be useful for a student of any age and range of interests. Do not be too lazy to pay for a subscription - you will not have to regret.

Option 3: specialized sites

I'll talk about two resources - busuu and duolingo - but I hasten to reiterate: I'm not trying to name best method learning English, but only acquaint you with the practice - my own and friends.

Duolingo

Having learned about this system after the need for training courses had disappeared, I can judge the effectiveness of the system only by the feedback of its graduates. If you evaluate only this indicator, the technique is definitely worth a try.

The Duolingo project was launched in the USA. It is built on the technique of gamification - the path from the beginning to the end of training is fixed on the game tree of skills. The methodology pays great attention to written lessons, dictations. If you complete the task with dignity, you get points. Failure to do so results in the loss of a life and a return to the beginning of the lesson.

International social network bringing people together with the aim of learning a language. Here you can communicate with native speakers, learn grammar, memorize words. The site's educational materials are diverse, however, in order to have access to full-fledged content, you need to pay a subscription. However, it's worth it. You can study both on a computer and using applications for smartphones.

Chats

Communication helps not only to memorize words and constructions, but also to think in the language. Starting with a slow correspondence with the help of an interpreter, if you have interesting interlocutors, in 2-3 months you will quickly chat with them on Skype. There are many international chats aimed at language training. At one time, SharedTalk was the most popular resource in this area, but after the closure, other resources took its place. Personally, I like InterPals Penpals. This is a full-fledged social network where you can make friends, post photos, statuses and more. A nice addition is the filter setting function. You will not be able to write people from countries that you do not like for some reason.

One-Stop Entouch Approach

I have already said that the lack of an independent method of learning English is the lack of control. The downside of group learning is excessive attachment to the office. I never even dreamed of a way of learning a language that negative sides both methods. However, he is. Entouch Technology - distance learning, which is easy to plan personally for your schedule.

You can choose from group training or individual training. Since you study at home, you do not need to waste time on the road, and a cup of your favorite homemade coffee will be a pleasant addition to the atmosphere of independence from the study room. You can study on vacation, on a business trip, at work, at home. And even if you miss lessons, you can watch their recordings at a convenient time. Such a system will not let you fall behind the group and will allow you to study anywhere. Here it is - comfort modern technologies.

Everyone chooses their own method of learning English. But I recommend that you use a combination of them. The more time you spend with original speech and books, the faster you will master the principles of the language. A teacher is not required, but preferred. If you know that it will be difficult on your own or you do not understand the rules of reading and pronunciation well, it is better to pay for at least a few classes with a professional.

English is a ticket to your future, no matter how pathetic it may sound. In order not to leave the race ahead of time, be sure to purchase it!

There are three approaches to language learning, and all methods can be divided into:

Structural (they consider the language as a system of structurally connected grammar elements):

  • The Grammar Translation Method is a good old method, familiar to us from the time of the Soviet school, focused on teaching translation and reading. In this case, texts are usually compiled to work out certain grammatical rules, and then work with these texts. It is based on the memorization of words, spelling and grammar and practice through written translation grammatically rich texts. Currently used to study extinct languages.
  • Audio-linguistic method (Audio-lingual method) - consists in listening and repeating records by the student, which are repeatedly repeated by the teacher. - Proprioceptive method (Proprioceptive method) - focuses on the simultaneity of the involvement of various brain functions (cognitive, motor, neurological, auditory). Proponents of the method argue that when learning, the student must use his speech apparatus constantly, performing any, even written tasks.

Functional (where the language is a means of expressing or implementing a specific function):

  • Situational language teaching (Oral Approach) is based on the structure of the language and on the principles of behaviorism. The student learns through repetition the most common words and constructions of the language and uses them in practice. Main ideas: oral speech dominates over writing, mistakes should be avoided from the start, the use of analogies, words only make sense in context.
  • Directed practice - in this approach, the student repeats phrases before they are mechanically memorized. At the same time, his vocabulary and flexibility of using the language suffer, but automatism is achieved in the use of basic language constructs.

Interactive (where language is a means of creating and maintaining social relationships):

  • Direct method (The direct method) - Assumes teaching in the target language from the very beginning. The use of native language is not allowed. The idea is to “naturally” learn the material, like a child learning their first language.
  • The series method is a subspecies of the direct method. Educational texts here are temporary sequences, sequences of actions are often used (“I go into the bathroom, turn on the tap, brush my teeth ...”, etc. The method involves a large number of repetitions of the studied material, spaced in time for better assimilation.
  • Communicative language teaching - involves the use of the language being studied both in tasks and for communication with the teacher / within the group. Includes a large number of interactive exercises - role-playing games, surveys, pair work, etc.
  • Immersion in the language (Language immersion) - the method is applied in primary school, provoking bilingualism in children by teaching subjects school curriculum in a non-native language. At the same time, even reading in the native language is given later than reading in the studied one.
  • Silent Way - The teacher here listens more than he talks. Teaching pronunciation in junior levels, the teacher uses various color tables, on which each color or symbol represents a specific sound. This is how new words are learned.
  • Suggestopedia - the method uses elements of light hypnosis. Classes consist of several cycles, during some of which material is given, and during others it is consolidated through various exercises, both active and passive, often in game form. Some scientists consider the method pseudoscientific.
  • Natural Approach - The emphasis is on the student not being able to learn everything. Each next portion of the material must necessarily be based on what has already been covered and at the same time be easily digestible.
  • Method of physical response (Total Physical Response) - Implies that students first passively perceive the material without using it. In the next step, they must physically respond to certain words, such as action verbs. And only after passing the first two stages, students begin to practice the language themselves.
  • Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling is an offshoot of the Physical Response Method. It consists in the teacher's narration short stories, saturated with new words and a further series of questions to students, requiring simple but emotionally colored answers from them.
  • Dogme language teaching method - The method refuses to use textbooks. Instead, the focus is on teacher-student communication. The materials used by the student must be written by him.
  • (Pimsleur method) - based on a sequence of audio recordings that introduce basic colloquial vocabulary and require students to actively repeat the material. Uses the achievements of neurophysiology when choosing the repetition period of the material.
  • The Michel Thomas Method is a series of audio recordings of classroom sessions where a teacher teaches two students basic grammar rules, vocabulary, and assignments. The listener is involved in the process, while creating the feeling of working in a group.
  • Learning by teaching (LdL) - the teacher here is more of a facilitator than a mentor. Students teach each other, mastering the material on their own. Can be considered as part of communicative learning.

This article is the author's first study on this topic, and is based almost entirely on an article from the English-language Wikipedia. In the future, the article will be changed and supplemented. There are also plans to write articles on each of the teaching methods. foreign language.

Having firmly decided to study English on your own, you will definitely face the problem of choice effective methodology, of which there are many. Which method you choose is up to you.

What to focus on when choosing?

  • First, your level of language proficiency
  • Secondly, on personal financial and temporary opportunities
  • Thirdly, based on your own intuitive desire

Dragunkin method

Dragunkin's Methodology Alexander Dragunkin explains the basics of English intelligibly and intelligibly. Dragunkin's technique for learning English is perfect for quick learning and memorization. The grammar is simplified as much as possible, the rules are facilitated. There are courses for both beginners and advanced.

Dragunkin has a completely different approach to learning, his own terminology, his own laws, his own vocabulary. He even redid the grammatical rules, systematized the exceptions, and solved the problems of using articles and irregular verbs. Dragunkin singled out new classes and groups of words, combining them according to common features; revealed the relationship between them. The presentation of the material follows a chain, from simple to complex, one follows from the other in a strict logical sequence.

Teaching English is based on the native language. Due to all these factors, the training time is reduced several times, and the perception educational material noticeably relieved. The technique is aimed at quickly achieving results. The purpose of the program is not to teach, but to teach.

Pimsleur technique

The Pimsleur Method American Spoken English will help you master the Pimsleur English for Russian Speakers audio course. See the article Learn English using the method of Dr. Pimsleur. Also, the Pimsler technique helps to learn how to read correctly. Our site has all the audio lessons of conversational American, as well as lessons on reading.

The Pimsler Method is the only form of foreign language learning that includes a unique, patented memory training method. The course consists of thematic dialogues with detailed explanations and translation. Phrases are voiced by a native speaker.

The students listen to the recording and repeat the phrases after the speaker. Then the next speech turnover is voiced and its meaning is explained. The student repeats it again many times, then he needs to repeat the previous phrases, at the same time, inserting words from the new expression into it. New words are introduced, and old expressions are proposed to be repeated after a certain, constantly increasing, time interval.

A very interesting, and most importantly working, system of 30 audio lessons for half an hour. The course was created specifically for Russian speakers who want to know the speech of US residents. No textbooks, just listen and repeat. And soon you will be able to easily carry on a conversation with a real American.

Schechter method

This is a completely new emotional-semantic approach, stating that mastering a foreign language should be similar to learning mother tongue. This method refers to direct gaming interactive methods of active learning. Politicians, cosmonauts, famous people studied using this method. Even Western private linguistic schools have paid attention to Schechter's method.

His methodology is based on a student-centered approach, where it is important to pay attention not to what to do with English, but what to do with a person in order to facilitate the learning process. A positive atmosphere, goodwill, learning without fatigue and stress are the main and mandatory components of each lesson.

The purpose of each individual lesson and training as a whole is to encourage the student to express his opinion in his own words, and not to reproduce memorized patterns and phrases from textbooks. Therefore, lectures are organized in the form of active participation of a person in the changing events of business and city life.

Also of great importance is the correction of speech and grammar, which students study in the higher cycles of the course. This technology is also used to memorize new material without memorization and rote repetition.

The BERLITZ Method of Learning English Another popular method is the BERLITZ method, which has been used by polyglots for over 200 years. It is based on the study of a foreign language abroad. There are over 400 BERLITZ language schools around the world. You can choose between group lessons and individual lessons. Read the article How to study English abroad.

This method requires a strict adherence to the basic principles:

  • First you need to learn to speak, and then master the skills of reading and writing
  • Grammar and vocabulary should be studied in the course of natural entertaining conversation, in a conversational context
  • Only native speakers should teach the language
  • The student must take an active part in the learning process.
  • Native speech is not used at all, excluded from teaching
  • The concept of translation is also excluded

Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone Method of Learning English One of the best is also recognized as the Rosetta Stone method - a convenient program for those who are going to emigrate. Learning a language from scratch. The user follows the same path as when learning their native language: words and images, pronunciation, grammar and syntax. The level of difficulty increases gradually.

The flash method allows you to learn English the same way you learned your native language from infancy - without rules. Mastering English occurs through repeated repetition, immersion in the language environment, the formation of associations. This program teaches you to automatically perceive and reproduce the most common conversational constructions.

The course completely lacks translation, instead of it there is an associative series. Vocabulary, syntax and grammar are acquired during the simulation of various life situations. The main focus is on visual memory. As an addition, I advise you to read a lot on your own

The non-transfer method means:

  • No rules and translation
  • Words are given immediately in context
  • Memorization is achieved through numerous repetitions

An excellent program for those who want to learn the basics of the language on their own, without going too deep into details. Pictures make the technique interesting, and the study is stress-free.

Lex!

Program Lex! — known way vocabulary enrichment. Sitting at the computer, the user memorizes words, phrases, speech turns that periodically appear on the screen. It supports the ability to delete and add vocabulary, edit it, change learning intensity levels and time parameters. The features of human memory, attention and perception are taken into account.

The user can set and separately configure various translation modes: direct, reverse, written translation, their random alternation. The student independently determines the number of correct translations, which is an indicator that the word has been learned. Lex! – is accompanied by a detailed guide that will allow you to quickly find answers to all your questions.

Muller method

Stanislav Müller's technique lies in the harmonious interaction of conscious and subconscious thinking. To improve learning and memory, the latest developments of Russian and Western science are used - superlearning and holographic memory:

  • Overlearning - helps to master any skills several times faster. At the same time, fatigue is much less and maintains a high level of performance.
  • Holographic memory - helps to organize life experience, enhances memory capabilities, allows you to restore the ability to master the language

During the passage, exercises are performed to improve the imagination, which contributes to memorization lexical material. The course solves the problems of understanding colloquial speech, free reading, writing and speaking.

Frank method

I advise the method of Ilya Frank, which is based on learning English through reading special texts. With constant reading in this way throughout the year, one can learn to speak fluently, thanks to the special arrangement of the original text and translation. At the same time, the memorization of words and phrases does not occur due to cramming, but due to their constant repetition in the text.

All the same non-transferable method. In the books of Ilya Frank, the text is not divided into several passages - an adapted passage with a literal translation and lexical and grammatical commentary, then the same text, but without prompts. You are just reading a book, and at the same time learning a language.

The manager wrote up the sales slip (the manager filled out the form with the price). The crook looked at the slip and said, "This is a little more than I intended to spend." Can you show me something less expensive? (Could you show me something less expensive).”

The manager agreed and wrote up the sales slip. The crook looked at the slip and said, “This is a little more than I intended to spend. Can you show me something less expensive?”

The meaning of the unadapted text is that the reader, albeit for a short time, "floats without a board." After reading an unadapted paragraph, you can move on to the next adapted one. No need to go back and repeat. Just read the following text.

Gunnemark technique

You can try Eric Gunnemark's technique. The Swedish polyglot recommends that you start learning a language by mastering the active minimum of words and grammar rules. Why did he create a list of "speech stamps", which, in his opinion, must be memorized by yourself. Gunnemark called these collections "Minilex", "Miniphraz" and "Minigram". All material is illustrated and voiced by native speakers. The course is recommended for beginners. The Gunnemark Method These "mini-collections" should not be neglected, because they provide a guideline on what to focus on from the very beginning. Mastering the "mini-repertoire" will give the beginner self-confidence. The lists included in this collection are built in such a way that the student masters the most necessary independently. After all, when you have well-learned material and basic knowledge behind you, you inevitably begin to feel much more confident in any situation.

For Gunnemark, all training is subject to the following principles:

  • Particular attention - "central words", that is, those words that most often "fly off the tongue"
  • You need to learn not individual words, but whole expressions. You don't have to learn everything. For each typical situation, remember 1-2 expressions, but “by heart”
  • It is better to learn one word perfectly than several words, but badly. Synonyms are not needed. Learn the main word
  • Learned expressions try to use as often as possible
  • As soon as possible, you need to learn the basics of good correct pronunciation
  • Master the required minimum of grammar
  • The most useful thing is reading

The linguist considers labor, time, teachers and material to be external factors of successful study. That is, how quickly you will advance in learning depends directly on your ability to organize your work and time, on the chosen methodology and teacher.

As you can see, there are many ways and they are all different. Which one is better is up to you. But having studied their basic principles, one can come to the conclusion that the main thing is communication and reading. Which I join.

Do you know any other interesting techniques? Tell us about them in the comments. I wish you success and sustainable results!

Grammar-translation method

The grammar-translation, or traditional, method of learning a language is the oldest and most common. It was borrowed from the methodology of studying dead languages, such as Latin or ancient Greek. Since native speakers no longer existed, the student was forced to simply learn grammatical clichés. The method comes down to a simple scheme: reading-translation.

According to the same scheme, all foreign languages ​​were studied in schools until the 1950s, because other methods simply did not exist.

The traditional method can be very useful at the initial stage of learning, it helps to understand the grammatical system of the language and in the future not to make mistakes in grammar, that is, to make speech clean and correct.

This system is characterized by many texts for translation, standard topics, books and standard phrases for memorization, vocabulary cramming. When at school a child memorizes something like: “My name is Andrey, I’m ten, I have mother, father, sister and brother”, this means that he is studying according to the traditional method.

The reader-translator orientation of the method is considered hopelessly outdated. AT recent times popular four-part method. It includes reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Immersion method

According to the name, this method involves immersing the student in an environment where the language being studied is native. That is, the student imagines that he is a native speaker. He talks about himself as a person living in another country, invents a biography, interests and hobbies for himself, and in the classroom behaves according to the fictitious image.

Modern techniques like Frame 25, Neuro-Linguistic Programming or Coding are nothing more than a way to make money from gullible customers.

Such a game environment allows you to quickly and, most importantly, interestingly learn a foreign language.

The same method includes trips abroad and communication with local residents, that is, direct immersion in the language environment. True, this is not the cheapest way.

Silence method

This is a very interesting method developed in the 70s of the XX century. According to this technique, knowledge of a foreign language is already inherent in human nature, so he does not need to interfere with his comprehend.

With this method, the teacher does not pronounce a single word in the target language during the lesson. The teacher demonstrates new words using tables and cards, and in these words each sound is replaced by a symbol or a square of a certain color.

Sometimes this technique gives amazing results, since the language is acquired at the level of conditional interactions, even the subconscious.

Audio linguistic method

It boils down to the fact that the student repeatedly repeats phrases after the teacher or self-instruction manual. This method is perfect for people who have the best developed auditory perception, besides, it is suitable for those who study the language on their own, without a teacher.

Physical response method

Another interesting method. It consists in the fact that for about the first twenty lessons the student does not utter a single word - he only listens to foreign speech and reads. It is believed that before starting to speak, the student must accumulate a sufficient passive vocabulary. Then he must begin to respond to words, but only by action. For example, if he hears the word “get up,” he should get up, and so on. Thus, in the process of learning, the student passes the language through himself, through his body, so he learns it better.

Each method is good in its own way, has its own advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for different situations.

Today you can forget about grandfather's ways learning a foreign language. Mechanical cramming is yesterday. Today's polyglots master language horizons using radical and effective methods:

1. METHOD OF SOUND ASSOCIATIONS

Stanford University professor Ron Atkinson in the 70s offered students such an original memorization option - in consonance with familiar and well-known words in their native language.

With a selected word or a combination of several words, it is necessary to compose an association sentence, including a translation. For example, if the phrase "chess stroke" in English language“chess knock” (consonant with the Russian “garlic”), then the sentences for memorization may be: “I struck a chess blow and ate garlic.”

The method is convenient from the point of view individual approach and the need to think freely rather than blindly cramming. Of course, it will not be possible to fully learn a language without memorization, but this method will be a good help for replenishing vocabulary.

2. TITLE STICKERS


The method is ideal for memorizing nouns familiar to us in everyday life. Write on the sticker "refrigerator" and stick it on the refrigerator, "door" will take place on the door, and the inscription "table" will decorate the kitchen table.

Thus, every day, seeing the “signed” objects around, the student automatically learns foreign names as well. In the process of learning, leaflets can be changed, supplemented and increased in number. The method is good for working at the initial stages, but later you still have to resort to communicative developments and the study of basic grammatical rules. The main thing is not to get into the habit, because not every boss likes to walk around with a “boss” sticker on their forehead.

3. METHOD 25 FRAME

A controversial theory that arose thanks to the psychologist James Vicary in 1957. He argued that the human brain is able to visually recognize only 24 “picture” changes per second, and if an additional frame is inserted, the person will not be aware of his presence, and the information will immediately go to the subconscious.

The essence of the method for learning a language is to watch a movie, every 90-100 milliseconds in which the notorious 25th frame “jumps”, passing into the subconscious. The method has never been accepted by the scientific community, and its effectiveness has not been proven, but some representatives of language learning schools still offer to try it out.

They probably haven't heard of Vicary's other experiments, in one of which he did some serious comparative analysis. psychological state a woman giving birth and a woman baking a cake.

4. COMMUNICATIVE METHOD


The boring study of languages ​​from a textbook is being replaced by the most effective method for memorizing words and suppressing the language barrier - communicative. In fact, this technique did not even have to be invented - initially, the exchange of knowledge with a neighboring tribe took place at the level of live contact, non-verbal communication, gestures and facial expressions.

Learning a language by contacting a native speaker is much easier and faster. In the learning process, it makes sense to break into groups or work in pairs, regardless of the level of knowledge and vocabulary.

A variant of this technique is the introduction of theatrical scenes, acting out and discussing plots. With the advent of modern means of communication, the task has become doubly simple - wherever you are, you can always find a friend from the other side of the planet and practice learning the language by talking on Skype.

5. PHYSICAL RESPONSE METHOD


This original method was developed by psychology professor James J. Asher of the University of San Jose. The method is based on the natural process of learning, and Asher suggests learning additional languages ​​in the same way as your own.

For the first few lessons, the student only listens to foreign speech, while he is not required to respond or answer questions orally. Any reaction can take place at the physical level of gestures. Thus, a period of internalization begins, in which a person is already able to spontaneously respond to ongoing processes and participate in them in a foreign language.

Initially, the method did not receive the support of scientific communities, but in the 70s, interest in it resumed, and now it is successfully used in language learning. True, only those who have enough time for the first 20 lessons of silent participation.

6. AUDIO AND VIDEOLINGUISTIC METHOD


Similar in terms of study periods to the previous one, these methods are available to anyone and everyone without participation in group work. The essence of the audio method is that at the initial stages the student listens to a foreign speech, perceiving it exclusively by ear.

It is not necessary for him to react, to participate in the process, it is enough just to carefully listen to the phonogram. The video method, by analogy, is to watch movies or videos in an unknown language. Subtitles for videos and translation of audio recordings will help to simplify the task and speed up learning. The method is also good for expanding vocabulary and immersion in a foreign language, but without communication, you are unlikely to be able to overcome the barrier and feel relaxed enough in communicating with expats.

7. FULL IMMERSION METHOD


Linguist and educator Maximillian Delphinius Berlitz proposed an innovative technique back in 1878. In accordance with this method, the student is completely "immersed" in the role of a foreign citizen.

Can choose an appropriate name for himself, compose a biography, attribute certain knowledge, skills and habits. The learning process takes place entirely in the target language, translation is not allowed.

Vocabulary and grammar are studied in the context of conversations, without textbooks and prompts. In this way, an atmosphere is created in the group that promotes the disclosure of true potential without constraint and constraint. After all, what's the point of worrying about Ivan's mispronunciation when he's John? This method has additional advantages - the development of social skills and theatrical abilities with a maximum of positive emotions.