It’s a myth that intelligent people are better at learning languages.
聰明的人更擅長語言學(xué)習(xí)？這種話只是傳說而已。
Sure, it doesn’t hurt, especially when innately academic types hold an arsenal of learning strategies. Most language learning skills, however, are in fact habits, which can be formed through a bit of discipline and self-awareness.
當(dāng)然，這也算不什么，尤其對那些天生會讀書的人來說來說，他們對各類學(xué)習(xí)方法可謂駕輕就熟。但實際上大多數(shù)語言學(xué)習(xí)技巧都是習(xí)慣，稍加自覺和訓(xùn)練便能獲得。
Here are the five most common mistakes language learners make – and how to correct them...
下面是語言學(xué)習(xí)者最常犯的五個錯誤，以及改正錯誤的方法。
1. Not listening enough
聽得不夠
There’s a school of linguistics that believes language learning begins with a “silent period”. Just as babies learn to produce language by hearing and parroting sounds, language learners need to practise listening in order to learn. This can reinforce learned vocabulary and structures, and help learners see patterns in language.
很多語言學(xué)觀點認(rèn)為，語言學(xué)習(xí)應(yīng)該從“無聲階段”起步。但是，就好比嬰兒通過收聽與模仿牙牙學(xué)語一樣，語言學(xué)習(xí)者也需要通過聽力練習(xí)加以提高。這不僅能強(qiáng)化學(xué)過的詞匯與結(jié)構(gòu)，還有助于學(xué)習(xí)者領(lǐng)悟語言模式。
Listening is the communicative skill we use most in daily life, yet it can be difficult to practise unless you live in a foreign country or attend immersive language classes. The solution? Find music, podcasts, TV shows and movies in the target language, and listen, listen, listen, as often as possible.
聽力是我們?nèi)粘Ｉ钪凶畛Ｓ玫慕涣骷记桑删毩?xí)起來就未必容易——除非你在國外生活或?qū)W習(xí)大量的語言課程。那到底該怎么辦呢？找些外語歌曲、視頻、電視劇和電影，然后盡可能地多聽、多聽、多聽！
2. Lack of curiosity
興趣不足
In language learning, attitude can be a key factor in how a student progresses.
學(xué)習(xí)語言，態(tài)度是決定學(xué)習(xí)者進(jìn)步程度的關(guān)鍵因素。
Linguists studied attitude in language learning in the 1970s in Quebec, Canada, when tension was high between Anglo- and Francophones. The study found that Anglophones holding prejudices against French Canadians often did poorly in French language learning, even after studying French for years as a mandatory school subject.
20世紀(jì)70年代，在加拿大的魁北克省，講英語和講法語兩派之間關(guān)系緊張，語言學(xué)家為此研究了語言學(xué)習(xí)中的態(tài)度因素。研究發(fā)現(xiàn)，對加拿大法語派持有偏見的英語派，即便多年接受法語義務(wù)教育，法語水平還是普遍較差。
On the other hand, a learner who is keen about the target culture will be more successful in their language studies. The culturally curious students will be more receptive to the language and more open to forming relationships with native speakers.
相反，對外語文化感興趣的人更容易學(xué)好外語。對外語文化感興趣的學(xué)習(xí)者更易于接受外語，也更愿意同當(dāng)?shù)厝私煌?/P>
3. Rigid thinking
思維刻板
Linguists have found that students with a low tolerance of ambiguity tend to struggle with language learning.
語言學(xué)家發(fā)現(xiàn)，不太能容忍模糊性的學(xué)習(xí)者學(xué)起語言來會比較困難。
Language learning involves a lot of uncertainty – students will encounter new vocabulary daily, and for each grammar rule there will be a dialectic exception or irregular verb. Until native-like fluency is achieved, there will always be some level of ambiguity.
語言學(xué)習(xí)涉及很多不確定性——學(xué)習(xí)者每天都遇到新的詞匯，每條語法規(guī)則也都可能包含截然相反的闡釋或不規(guī)則的動詞。除非外語的流利程度已接近母語，否則學(xué)習(xí)者總會遇到這種模棱兩可的情況。
The type of learner who sees a new word and reaches for the dictionary instead of guessing the meaning from the context may feel stressed and disoriented in an immersion class. Ultimately, they might quit their language studies out of sheer frustration. It’s a difficult mindset to break, but small exercises can help. Find a song or text in the target language and practice figuring out the gist, even if a few words are unknown.
學(xué)習(xí)者如果遇到生詞就立即查字典，而不試著聯(lián)系上下文猜測詞義，可能會變得毫無頭緒、倍感吃力，最后甚至?xí)驗槭艽於艞壵Z言學(xué)習(xí)。這種思維定勢很難突破，但稍加訓(xùn)練也可以有所改觀。找一首外語歌曲或一篇外語文章，不去管那些生詞，試著弄懂大意。
4. A single method
方法單一
Some learners are most comfortable with the listen-and-repeat drills of a language lab or podcast. Some need a grammar textbook to make sense of a foreign tongue. Each of these approaches is fine, but it’s a mistake to rely on only one.
有些學(xué)習(xí)者比較擅長在語音室或跟著視頻練習(xí)“聽力-跟讀”，有些則寧愿參照語法書摸索外語發(fā)音。這些方法都不錯，但如果只單純依賴一種方法就不見得明智了。
Language learners who use multiple methods get to practise different skills and see concepts explained in different ways. What’s more, the variety can keep them from getting stuck in a learning rut.
方法多樣化的語言學(xué)習(xí)者可以鍛煉各種技能，并能從不同的角度理解概念。而且，多樣化還能使他們避免學(xué)習(xí)時墨守成規(guī)。
When choosing a class, learners should seek a course that practises the four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). For self-study, try a combination of textbooks, audio lessons, and language learning apps.
在挑選課程的時候，學(xué)習(xí)者應(yīng)選擇能綜合訓(xùn)練聽、說、讀、寫四種技能的課程。若要自學(xué)，則應(yīng)結(jié)合教材、音頻及語言學(xué)習(xí)工具等。
5. Fear
心有畏懼
It doesn’t matter how well a person can write in foreign script, conjugate a verb, or finish a vocabulary test. To learn, improve, and truly use your target language, we need to speak.
外文寫得漂不漂亮、知不知道動詞變位或能不能通過詞匯測試其實真的不是很重要，重要的是你學(xué)有進(jìn)步、真正學(xué)以致用。我們要的是能夠交流。
This is the stage when language students can clam up, and feelings of shyness or insecurity hinder all their hard work. In Eastern cultures where saving face is a strong social value, EFL teachers often complain that students, despite years of studying English, simply will not speak it. They’re too afraid of bungling the grammar or mispronouncing words in a way that would embarrass them.
這個階段，學(xué)習(xí)者會因為害羞或不安而難以開口，導(dǎo)致所有辛苦付出難以收獲回報。東方文化中，要面子是很重要的社會價值觀。經(jīng)常有英語老師抱怨說，許多學(xué)生盡管已經(jīng)學(xué)習(xí)很多年英語，但就是開不了口。他們太害怕因為發(fā)錯音或犯語法錯誤而遭遇尷尬了。
The key is that those mistakes help language learners by showing them the limits of language, and correcting errors before they become ingrained. The more learners speak, the quicker they improve.
其實，這些錯誤可以幫助學(xué)習(xí)者發(fā)現(xiàn)自己語言學(xué)習(xí)的不足，并在錯誤根深蒂固之前予以糾正。學(xué)習(xí)者越是敢于開口，就越容易取得進(jìn)步。
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