Introduction:
The role of motivation in learning a language
One of the crucial things that we need to consider before learning a language is this: Why do you want to learn a language?
This is important to note as your motivation will be also be your determining factor in learning a language. Motivation is not only important in its own right; it is also an important predictor of learning and achievement. Students who are more motivated to learn persist longer, produce higher quality effort, learn more deeply, and perform better in classes and on standardized tests. It’s commonsense, but it’s also reinforced by hundreds of studies. (Hulleman,2018, “An Important Piece of the Student Motivation Puzzle”)
Aside from the learner’s motivation, we also have to remember that Language Learning is not merely studying about the rules but primarily it is about applying these rules for you to effectively convey your thought and ideas as well as to speak the target language.
At the end of the day, learning a language is about communication.
Here are some of the tried and tested methods for language learning:
1. Set Goals
“I want to learn English”.
This is good as you are able to figure out what you want BUT this is not a goal. Goals are the smaller steps that we make along the way that help you to make your ambition into a reality.
Your learning goals should include :
-Learn 50 words a day
-Learn 10 common greetings or phrases today
2. Choose the “right” words.
According to The Oxford English Dictionary lists about 600,000 words and approximately 1,000 words added every year. Merriam-Webster’s estimates that there are about a million words in English. Just looking at the figures would overwhelm anyone who is trying to learn the language. However, the point here is that you don’t need to memorize all these words to have a mastery of the language. The top 100 words make up about 50 percent of English language texts, and the top 1,000 words make up about 90 percent. So all you have to do is learn the words that would be most beneficial to you. You can compile or list down all the words that you think would be useful to you and so that you don’t waste your time learning words you know you will never use. By focusing on learning these words first, you can increase the amount of information you understand very quickly.
3.Consistency is the key.
Consistency is grounded in research from child psychology and neuroscience. According to the National Reading Technical Assistance Center, the best way to ensure “young children will understand and remember the meanings of new words and use them more frequently” is through consistent “exposure to targeted vocabulary.” This is because synapses are not static; they are constantly adapting in response to activity (Jensen, Teaching with the Brain in Mind, Revised 2nd Edition, p. 38).
Just as you need exercise to get fit, you need to develop a habit of studying regularly in order to stick with learning a language.
Give at least 30 minutes of your time every day in studying the language. 30 minutes everyday is 3 and a half hour a week and 14 hours a month. Imagine how many words will you learn for 14 hours.
Studying 30 minutes a day is far more effective than studying 3 hours straight once a week. The new things that you’ve learned will still be fresh on your mind an it will prevent you from doing unnecessary reviews but instead will help you move forward in preparation for the next lesson.
4.Practice,practice and practice.
Simply stated, repetition strengthens connections in the brain.
Learn new words everyday through video, audio, and reading material in that language. At first, you may be overwhelmed with all the information however the more exposure you get to the language, the more it will all will be easier for you to learn new words until everything makes sense.
5. Make it relevant
Learners will find it easier to learn a language if they discover particular connections between their lives and what they are learning. It is also encourage to watch or listen to audios or read materials with topics they can relate to. You will never learn a language by just reading grammar books.. Read and listen to content that is highly interesting for you, and everything will be easier for you.
6.Seek out real-life practice.
One of the best way to speak the language is to immerse yourself in an English-speaking environment.
Frequent exposure to the language will eventually help students sharpen their language skills and opportunities to speak will aid with fluency and pronunciation. It may not be an option to everyone but go to where the language is spoken. Or the very least try communicating to a Native speaker.
7.Have fun.
We tend to learn best when we’re enjoying ourselves, so don’t forget to make language learning fun. Choose reading and audio materials t that is highly interesting for you, or related to a topic that you love and everything will be easier for you.
Learning a language takes time. So don’t feel discouraged if you struggle to form words or sentences. You’ll get there. That is why a clear set of goals and a good understanding of your motivations in learning the language are essential so that you will be able to overcome all the hurdles in learning a new language.
References: https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/weekinreview/14shuessler.html?scp=4&sq=payack&st=cse&_r=0
https://mathworld.wolfram.com/ZipfsLaw.htmlhttps://posproject.org/language-and-consistency/
https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0749596X16300730?token=40EC514D35E50FFA7BBFF872B8B43EFD2F84F99989E1A271E9400680E773B522161D20E1C153ECFDD58D5DF395B5F6C6
https://www.oxfordseminars.com/blog/teach-esl-english-only-classroomX
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/X
https://www.summerlanguageacademy.com/blog/language-learningX
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/fastest-way-to-learn-a-new-language/X
