VLLC
  • Home
    • Locations >
      • Victoria
      • South Australia
      • New South Wales
      • Western Australia
      • Australian Capital Territory
      • Queensland
      • Northern Territory
      • Tasmania
    • About VLLC
    • The VLLC story
    • Language Tutors
    • Join the Team
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Student Reviews and Testimonials
    • The Language Box
    • Online Student Access
    • Code of Practice >
      • Video instructions
      • Student Information
      • Privacy Policy
    • Blog Articles >
      • Work Blog
      • Travel Blog
      • Mind Blog
      • Language Journeys
      • Videos
  • Languages
    • Learn Arabic
    • Learn Dutch
    • Learn English >
      • General English
      • IELTS Preparation
    • Learn French
    • Learn German
    • Learn Greek
    • Learn Indonesian
    • Learn Italian
    • Learn Japanese
    • Learn Korean
    • Learn Mandarin Chinese
    • Learn Portuguese
    • Learn Russian
    • Learn Spanish
    • Learn Thai
    • Other Languages - VLLC Tutorial Courses
  • For Individual
    • Language Certificates >
      • Certificate II in Applied Language
      • Social Proficiency
      • Certificate III in Applied Language
      • Intermediate Proficiency
      • Vocational Proficiency
    • Online Lessons
    • In-country Language Testing Preparation
  • For Business
    • Language Certificates >
      • Certificate II in Applied Language
      • Social Proficiency
      • Certificate III in Applied Language
      • Intermediate Proficiency
      • Vocational Proficiency
    • Business Benefits
    • Online Solutions
    • Professional Development Seminars
    • Language Workshop
    • School Solutions >
      • Primary School Language Program
      • VET in Schools
  • Contact
    • Contact Form

Jo's Language Learning Tips 1...

5/5/2021

1 Comment

 
Over my 25 years at VLLC, I have watched so many of you go through the process of language learning – some of you more easily than others – what seems to make the difference? Over the next few blogs, I will share some of the language learning tips I’ve gathered through my own learning and watching others. It would be great if you joined in the conversation and shared some tips that have helped you in your language journey. They might resonate with someone else.
Picture
Tip 1. Start with the end in mind. As I have mentioned in lots of my blogs, it is important that before you start learning anything, you imagine yourself using the new skill with ease, so in the case of language learning – see yourself speaking fluently. Take a few minutes to creatively visualise this before every learning session and see the difference it makes. When you miss this step, you really slow down your progress as you find yourself just memorising the lesson (or the series of phrases) rather than creating a new way of thinking.
Tip 2. Think in your new language as quickly as possible. Resist the temptation to translate into your mother tongue – yes, I know it is really difficult but create a new habit. Remember your subconscious mind works more effectively with visuals, NOT words.
Picture
Tip 4. When you learn a new word, try to use it a few times right away. It is better if you can use it with a native speaker, but if not, use it in your homework tasks. Again, you want to ‘internalise’ your new language or make it subconscious – not just memorise it.
Picture
Tip 5. Hear and practise pronunciation patterns. In Russian and Italian, endings always rhyme with one another, so if you are talking about a feminine noun, adjectives will usually rhyme with its ending.  e.g. woman in Russian is женщина – (zhen-shee-na); so Russian красивая женщина ‘kra -see-vaya zhen-shee-na’ (beautiful woman) works where красивый (kra-see-vee), which also means beautiful, doesn’t sound right.  A woman in Italian is una donna and we all know una bella donna!! You could never say una bello donna – it just doesn’t work!!!!    Hear the sounds of your new language like you hear new music – mimic – don’t always try and understand.
Picture

Tip 6. You will make mistakes – accept this fact. I have made so many mistakes speaking my languages with native speakers (not tutors) and some of these have become indelibly imprinted in my mind.

Others, I remember the laughter and fun they caused. Mistakes are often your best lessons – make them your friends
.
I hope you have found these tips useful. I will give you some more in my next blog. Please share your own tips with the VLLC community.
Happy learning,  Jo

1 Comment

    About

    These blogs are about learning a foreign language and how utilising that skill can help to keep your mind active and assist with your cognitive function.

    Archives

    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    November 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    July 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2017
    June 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

About VLLC


The VLLC Story
Language Tutors
Locations
  - Adelaide
  - Melbourne
​  - Sydney
  - Perth
  - Canberra
  - Brisbane
  - Hobart
  - Darwin​
Join the team
Student Information
Online Client
Testimonials

Learning Options

Languages


Arabic
Dutch
English
French
German
Greek

Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Korean

Mandarin Chinese
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Thai

Courses


Certificate in Social Proficiency

Certificate II in Applied Language


Certificate III in Applied Language

Certificate in Intermediate Proficiency
​

Certificate in Vocational  Proficiency

Blog


Work Blog
Travel Blog
Mind Blog
Case Studies

Contact Us


Contact Us Form
Newsletter Sign up

Language School
Language School Melbourne Adelaide
Copyright © 2015 - 2025  |   VLLC - Vocational Language Learning Centre  Head Office 03 6427 0551 | ADL 08 8267 1177   |   MLB 03 9602 1605