I have been Skype-learning German for one year. I love challenges and trying to communicate in this language is a fascinating experiment. Thanks to my lovely teacher and her various techniques how to motivate me and capture my attention, I have achieved a level at which I can, without much embarrassment, express my basic needs. The thing, however, is that I have a strange feeling that I still make the same mistakes I made last year when I began studying this language. Does it mean I haven’t learnt a lot? Was it a waste of time? Or maybe my memory is so bad? Will I ever be able to make use of those so-easy-to-remember-and-so-difficult-to-apply rules?
If you have ever asked yourself one of the above-mentioned questions while learning a foreign language, you have experienced the natural process of acquiring language skills. Learning a language is not an event. On the contrary, it is a lengthy process and it takes years to be able to use it in an automatic way, without concentrating on grammar and its pitfalls.
Here are some rules which I have found useful while learning German and teaching English to my students:
1. One issue per class. Before every lesson choose one mistake you would like to avoid (e.g. remembering “s” in 3rd person singular Present Simple – he drinks). Write it down on a separate piece of paper and keep it in front of you during the whole class, looking at it from time to time.
2. Write a story. Again choose one mistake you would like to get rid of. Take a piece of paper and write a short story with as many correct sentences involving this structure as possible. Repetition is the mother of progress.
3. Be patient and keep on working hard. There are times when you will feel discouraged and demotivated. You will be tempted to give up then. The key, however, is in being persistent. Maybe you need a change – try more listening (songs, films, podcasts, online radio) instead of reading. After some time you will feel that you may come back to your previous routine (which has worked for years). The thing is to be in touch with the language all the time.
4. Just enjoy. Learning a language is a mind-opening experience - let yourself indulge in communicating with other people worldwide. Or maybe you will find pleasure reading a book on the topic of your interest, or watching a film in the original version – the sky is the limit. The only thing to remember is to use English as a means to broaden your horizons, express yourself. Practice makes perfect.
I believe each of you is able to achieve a desired level of the language command. I also feel I will be able to express myself freely in German. At least it’s worth the effort. Good luck!