Learn German | German Podcast | Ep 101: In einer neuen Sprache denken

Summary

This video shares practical and loving strategies to help learners not only acquire a new language but also start thinking in it. The host offers simple tips such as thinking and speaking in basic sentences, naming objects around you, and visualizing words with images, making language learning more natural. Other techniques include linking new words to real-life experiences, listening to the language regularly, and incorporating it into everyday tasks. Emphasizing the importance of making mistakes, the video encourages learners to embrace the language in their daily lives, ultimately making it a part of their inner world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start thinking and speaking simply in the new language to make it feel more natural and less intimidating.
• 😀 Begin with basic, everyday sentences like 'I am tired' or 'I have hunger' to normalize the language in your daily life.
• 😀 Play a game of naming everything around you in the new language to increase vocabulary naturally and effectively.
• 😀 Avoid translating words directly from your mother tongue to the new language. Instead, visualize words through images and feelings.
• 😀 Connect new vocabulary with real-life experiences and emotions to make them more memorable and meaningful.
• 😀 Regularly listen to podcasts, music, and watch series in the target language to immerse yourself in its rhythm and melody.
• 😀 Gradually incorporate the language into your daily routine, such as setting your devices to the new language or writing lists in it.
• 😀 Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—errors are a natural part of learning and help reinforce language skills.
• 😀 Aim for gradual integration of the new language into your life instead of forcing perfection, allowing it to become a part of your inner world.
• 😀 Repetition and consistent exposure to the language will help it grow into your subconscious, making it feel more like your own.

Q & A

Why is it important to think in the language you're learning?

Thinking in the language helps you move beyond mere translation and allows the language to become a part of your internal thought process. It makes communication more natural and less reliant on your native language.

What is the benefit of simplifying your thoughts when learning a new language?

Simplifying your thoughts into basic sentences allows you to start thinking in the new language without overcomplicating things. This helps build a foundation before you attempt more complex sentences.

How can labeling objects in your environment help in language learning?

Labeling objects in the target language increases vocabulary retention by associating the words with real, everyday items. This constant exposure helps reinforce the new language in your mind.

What is the importance of visualizing words instead of translating them?

Visualizing words helps your brain process them faster as images or scenes, which is how children learn their first language. This method avoids the mental delay of translating from one language to another, leading to quicker learning.

Why is connecting new words with personal experiences and emotions effective?

Connecting words to real-life experiences makes them more meaningful and memorable. Associating words with emotions or personal events strengthens the brain’s connection to them, making it easier to recall and use them in conversation.

How does listening to podcasts, music, or watching shows in the target language help?

These activities immerse you in the language, helping you pick up the rhythm, melody, and natural flow. Even if you don’t understand every word, your brain still processes the language, helping you become more comfortable with it over time.

What is the advantage of incorporating the new language into daily tasks?

Integrating the language into everyday activities, like changing phone settings or writing to-do lists, helps normalize the language in your life. It becomes a consistent, low-pressure part of your routine, aiding long-term retention.

Why should you embrace making mistakes while learning a new language?

Mistakes are a natural and necessary part of learning. Each mistake provides valuable feedback that helps improve your skills. Overcoming the fear of making errors allows you to practice more freely and accelerate learning.

How does multisensory learning contribute to language acquisition?

Multisensory learning involves engaging multiple senses—such as sight, sound, and touch—which helps strengthen memory and understanding. This method makes the learning process richer and more effective by creating stronger associations with the language.

What is meant by 'normalizing' the language in your life, and why is it important?

'Normalizing' the language means incorporating it into your daily life in small, manageable ways, like labeling items or writing notes. It’s important because it allows the language to become an organic part of your routine, reducing the effort required to engage with it over time.