Re: [seul-edu] Resources about learning concepts?

[robin <robin@bilkent.edu.tr>]

Marcus von Appen wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I hope this is not too off-topic, but it hard to find vauable resources in the 
> net about this topic:
>
> Does somebody know valuable learning concepts for learning foreign languages?
> What is a good way to try learning foreign languages using appropriate software
> tools?
> Does somebody know more about proven techniques and concepts how people can
> learn languages in a good way?
>
> Background: 
> I am currently in the phase of adding learning and review features to the 
> LingoTeach project[1] and did not find good resources, which explain different 
> techniques of learning foreign languages.
>
> Due to the fact, that those features have to follow some rules, I want to 
> implement (a few) proven 'templates', so that users can start off without the
> need to know, what techniques would match best for them (they will be able to
> adjust the learning techniques).
>
> Example:
>
> 	1) Show ten new words/sentences at week 0.
> 	2) In week 1, determine, which words/sentences the user knows now 
> 	   very well and which not.
> 	   Show the not well known words in week1 together with several new 
> 	   ones
> 	3) Show some words of week 0 in week 2 together with some new and the 
> 	   ones the user did not know very well in week 1
> 	4) and so on and so on....
>
>
> I do not know, how good or bad such a technique of learning is, so maybe 
> someone else knows about good methods to learn and can point me to them.
>
> [1] http://www.lingoteach.org
The best place to start is websites on teaching English as a foreign 
language, since this is the main language learning sector.  You'll find 
a lot of nutty language learning methods, but some useful stuff as well. 
I recommend googling on "TEFL OR TESOL OR ESL CALL" or "TEFL OR TESOL OR 
ESL methodology".

Of the various non-standard methodologies I've looked at, the only one 
that has impressed me is Suggestopaedia, which looks like the nuttiest 
of them all, but does seem to work.  The basic idea is that learners 
relax in a comfortable position and listen to baroque music while the 
lesson is played in the background.  It doesn't work so well for 
grammar, but is great for passively absorbing vocabulary.

Robin


--
"Certitude is possible for those who only own one encyclopedia."
- Robert Anton Wilson

Robin Turner
IDMYO
Bilkent Univeritesi
Ankara 06533
Turkey

www.bilkent.edu.tr/~robin