短期間で英語ができるようになる人の特徴【講師歴10年超に聞いた】

Summary

In this insightful discussion, the focus is on identifying the qualities that set apart fast learners from slower ones in language acquisition. The speaker emphasizes the importance of cultural and language immersion, suggesting that surrounding oneself with the language and its culture is crucial for progress. Motivation is highlighted as a key factor, with the speaker sharing personal anecdotes about learning Japanese and the role of tools like Duolingo in maintaining consistency. The conversation also touches on the need for learners to self-analyze and find the best strategies for their individual learning styles, as well as the potential benefits of a deeper academic approach to language study.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Cultural immersion is crucial for language learning; it helps in understanding the mechanics, colloquialisms, vocabulary, and accent of the language.
• 📈 Consistent practice is essential, as seen with Duolingo's streak feature, which encourages daily interaction with the language to maintain progress.
• 🚫 While Duolingo is helpful, it is not sufficient on its own; learners should immerse themselves fully in the language to truly master it.
• 💡 Motivation plays a significant role in language acquisition; understanding why one is learning a language can drive the learning process.
• 🎯 Having a clear goal, such as living in a foreign country or professional proficiency, can be more motivating than learning for fun alone.
• 👂 Active efforts to surround oneself with the language, like listening to podcasts or watching dramas, can aid in language acquisition.
• 📚 Even with immersion, some learners may struggle with specific aspects like accent and pronunciation, indicating the need for targeted practice.
• 🎓 Phonetics and understanding the granular aspects of language, such as phonemes and allophones, can significantly improve pronunciation.
• 🤔 Self-analysis and identifying individual learning strategies are important for learners to overcome their unique challenges.
• 🧠 Intelligence can contribute to the speed of language learning, as seen with the student who quickly mastered a British English accent.
• 🌟 Personalized support and strategies tailored to an individual's needs can greatly enhance the language learning experience.

Q & A

What is the key factor mentioned for students to progress quickly in learning English?

Cultural and language immersion is highlighted as a key factor for students to progress quickly in learning English. Being surrounded by the language and immersing oneself in it helps in grasping the mechanics, colloquialisms, accent, and vocabulary.

How does the speaker describe the role of Duolingo in language learning?

Duolingo is described as a helpful tool for keeping learners on track with their language studies by maintaining a streak system, which encourages daily interaction with the language. However, it is also noted that Duolingo alone is not enough and should be complemented with full immersion.

What is the second category mentioned for effective language learning?

The second category mentioned for effective language learning is motivation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a clear and strong motivation for learning a language, whether it's for tests, living in another country, or professional proficiency.

Why does the speaker mention the importance of surpassing the desire to pass a test in language learning?

The speaker suggests that the desire to become part of the language's culture should surpass the desire to pass a test or to read, as this deeper connection can lead to more natural and effective learning.

How does the speaker illustrate the effectiveness of immersion with the example of Japanese students?

The speaker illustrates the effectiveness of immersion by mentioning Japanese students who are exposed to English due to cultural, technological, and tourism ties between Japan and the United States. Despite this exposure, some students still struggle with aspects like accent and pronunciation, indicating that immersion alone might not be sufficient for mastering all language skills.

What is the speaker's personal motivation for learning Japanese?

The speaker's personal motivation for learning Japanese is mainly for fun and to be able to watch Japanese anime without subtitles. Additionally, the speaker wishes to visit and live in Japan for a while to experience the culture, food, and people.

What are some specific examples of immersion practices mentioned by the speaker?

Specific examples of immersion practices mentioned include listening to podcasts, watching videos, reading daily news in the target language, and listening to TED Talks.

What does the speaker suggest as a possible reason for the lack of improvement in certain areas despite immersion?

The speaker suggests that the lack of improvement in certain areas, such as pronunciation and accent, despite immersion, might be due to the need for a more focused approach on phonetics and a deeper understanding of phonemes and allophones.

How does the speaker describe the experience of a student from Saudi Arabia who learned English quickly?

The speaker describes a student from Saudi Arabia who learned English with a perfect British accent in about four months. This student's success is attributed to daily study for several hours, focusing on listening to and mimicking the accent, and possibly her intelligence which helped her quickly register new information.

What advice does the speaker give to learners of English regarding finding the best strategy for themselves?

The speaker advises learners of English to analyze and know themselves to figure out the best strategy for their learning. They also suggest that having someone to help with this analysis can be beneficial.