5 Proven Techniques to Help You Speak English Fluently

Summary

This video explores five scientifically proven language learning techniques to enhance fluency and confidence. It covers spaced repetition systems, immersion, shadowing, task-based language learning, and mnemonics, recommending tools like Anki and platforms like Lingoda for practical application.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video introduces five scientifically proven language learning techniques to enhance fluency and confidence in English.
• 🔁 Spaced Repetition System (SRS) is a method for memorizing new words, grammar rules, and pronunciation, which is efficient by reinforcing memory right before forgetting.
• 📱 SRS can be implemented using apps like Anki or Memorise, which focus on reviewing words that are challenging and less frequent ones.
• 🌏 Immersion involves surrounding oneself with the target language in daily life, similar to how children learn their first language.
• 📺 The speaker personally immersed themselves in English by changing all digital interfaces and social media to English, which significantly improved their language skills.
• 🏫 Lingoda is recommended as a platform for language learning through immersion, offering flexible schedules and personalized feedback from native speakers.
• 🎓 Shadowing is a technique where learners mimic native speakers closely to improve pronunciation, intonation, and accent, engaging both mind and body in the learning process.
• 📝 Task-Based Language Learning (TBLT) focuses on learning language through real-life tasks, making the learning practical and relevant to daily life.
• 🍰 An example of TBLT is planning a trip or baking a cake in the target language, which provides hands-on experience and makes learning more natural.
• 🧠 Pneumonics are memory aids that use associations, patterns, and images to help remember complex information, especially beneficial for visual learners.
• 🐘 Creating a vivid image or story, like 'my elephant eats kale' for the word 'meek', is an example of how pneumonics can be used to memorize vocabulary effectively.

Q & A

What are the five scientifically proven language learning techniques discussed in the video?

The five techniques are spaced repetition system (SRS), immersion, shadowing, task-based language learning (TBLT), and mnemonics.

How does the Spaced Repetition System (SRS) work for language learning?

SRS works by reviewing language items right before you're about to forget them, reinforcing memory when it's most needed, making learning more efficient and long-lasting.

Which app is mentioned in the script that is based on the Spaced Repetition System?

Anki is mentioned as an app based on the Spaced Repetition System.

What is the concept of immersion in language learning?

Immersion involves surrounding oneself with the target language in real life, mimicking how children learn their first language, by living in an environment where the language is spoken.

How did the speaker apply the immersion technique in their own language learning?

The speaker applied immersion by changing all devices and media consumption to English, refusing to follow people in their native language on social media, and using English for all online activities.

What is Lingoda and how does it support language learning?

Lingoda is a platform that offers language learning through small group classes with personalized feedback from native speaking teachers, self-learning tools, and a flexible schedule to fit into personal goals and lifestyle.

What is shadowing in language learning and how does it benefit learners?

Shadowing is a technique where learners repeat or shadow a native speaker closely while listening to a recording, which helps improve pronunciation, intonation, and accent.

Who developed the shadowing technique and what does it involve?

The shadowing technique was developed by Alexander Arguelles, and it involves walking briskly while listening to something and repeating it almost instantly to engage both mind and body in learning.

What is Task-Based Language Learning (TBLT) and how does it differ from traditional learning?

TBLT focuses on learning language through performing real-life tasks, making the learning process practical and relevant, as opposed to traditional learning which often focuses on grammar and vocabulary in isolation.

How can mnemonics assist in language learning?

Mnemonics are memory aids that use associations, patterns, and images to help remember information, especially useful for visual learners and for memorizing complex or abstract concepts.

Can you provide an example of a mnemonic mentioned in the script?

An example of a mnemonic from the script is 'My elephant eats kale Meek' to remember the word 'meek', associating it with a gentle elephant eating kale.