The Trifecta of Effective Language Learning

Learning another language isn’t just about the acquisition of a new skill.

Photo by Mike Erskine on Unsplash

First, some questions

• What are the differences between first and second language learning?
• Why do some people seem to have a knack for learning languages, while others struggle, or even resign themselves from the task entirely?
• How does age matter in learning another language?
• How do our own unique individual differences, like learning styles, affect our ability to learn a new language?
• What role does conscious attention play in language learning?: can we just soak up the language like a sponge if we immerse ourselves in the language or do we have to pay attention to the details in order to learn?
• How does your first language influence how you learn a second language?
• And, what are the most effective language learning strategies in becoming a successful language learner?

Let’s call an ‘everyday language learner’ an adult learner who is seeking to achieve long-term success in a language that they began learning in high school or later.