Learn a Foreign Language the Easy Way

Learn a second language using an audio-based learning program

Why rely on old fashioned, out-dated techniques to learn a second language? Today there's a better way. Now with the help of an audio-based training course you will be able to learn by listening to and repeating phrases in the target language.

This unique audio method allows the listener to learn correct pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar without repetitive rote learning, in a similar way to the way we acquired our native language components.

Of course there are many other methods of Learning a foreign language
one of which is with memory techniques from Mind Tools. These techniques are talked about in much more detail in an article on their webpage available at the link above.

These and other methods will be explored in more detail in the articles that follow.

Before We Get Started

A word about terminology

Linguists and language educators apply the term "second language" to any language other than person native language. This means that a "second language" could be your second, third, or tenth language.

From this point forward we'll refer to the persons first language as their "native language" and the language being studied as the "target" or "second language."

Traditional Methods of Teaching a Foreign Language

The grammar translation method

Throughout the nineteenth and most of the twentieth century the grammar translation method was the primary method used to teach a second language.

This method requires the student to memorize grammatical rules and verb conjugations and perform repetitive translation exercises and is to used to teach "dead" languages such as ancient Greek or Latin.

One of the major drawbacks is that although the student may learn the language they or seldom actually able to effectively communicate with it.

The Direct or Natural Method

In this method all instructions, directions, and explanations are conveyed in the target or second language. In other words in a Russian class only Russian is used.

This method is a lot closer to way we learn our native language but it is harder to teach and can be quite frustrating for both the teacher and the student.

Today's Audio-Based Language Courses

The power of audio learning programs

Most of today's audio-based language courses use a combination of both native and target languages during the learning sessions.

During these learning sessions one narrator will speak a phrase in one language...then after a pause another will repeat it in the target language. The student is then to repeat the phrases out loud.

Audio-based learning programs such as "Learn in Your Car"(Penton Overseas), "In-Flight" (Living Language), "Listen and Learn" (Dover) and "Rush Hour" (Berlitz) are very useful should you ever need to brush up on the essential phrases and vocabulary in order to prepare for a business trip or vacation.

The Pimsleur Method

By: Dr. Paul Pimsleur

In the 1960s, linguistics professor
Paul Pimsleur found himself dissatisfied
with the state of language
education. His research into the neuroscience
of language acquisition led
him to develop what is now known as
the Pimsleur Method. The Pimsleur
programs are almost entirely audio,
with no written material until the most
advanced levels, because Pimsleur was
a firm believer that we learn language
by hearing, not seeing, it.

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Before We Get Started

A word about terminology

Traditional Methods of Teaching a Foreign Language

The grammar translation method

The Direct or Natural Method

Today's Audio-Based Language Courses

The power of audio learning programs

The Pimsleur Method

By: Dr. Paul Pimsleur

German Audio Training Courses

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Russian Audio Training Courses

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Polish Audio Training Courses

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